Trustees

Having joined in 2017, Ben led Clarks Shoes’ £1bn-revenue, 9,000 colleague-strong European business, which spans retail and wholesale. He was responsible for customer-centric investments including a new European fulfilment centre; delivering significant digital expansion and increasing colleague engagement.

Richard joined St John’s Board in 2016. He is a private investor with a professional background of over 30 years in finance and investment.  He has led investment research teams whilst working in the UK, USA and Singapore.

Madeleine joined St John's board in 2023. She is a Chartered Accountant and experienced main board director. As a portfolio non-executive director, she works with organisations of varying sizes and across a range of different sectors.

Roger is the Church of England Rector of St Michael’s Without in the centre of Bath. Having been ordained for over 30 years he has served and worked in outer estate and inner city Liverpool, heavily involved as a community activist in those places.

Jeff joined St John’s Board in March 2021, having served as an Advisor on the Investment Committee for eight years. He has spent over 40 years in the City of London in the Fund Management industry, formally retiring in 2010.

Carole is a qualified teacher with over 30 years’ experience in education, particularly in the Further Education and Skills sector where she has held several Executive and Non-Executive roles. Her key interests and aims have included working to support development and reform in the UK that will improve access, success and progression, especially for those facing disadvantage.

Ken joined the Board in 2016. Ken started his career in commercial banking with HSBC where he championed customer service and helped change the attitude within the retail bank.  Subsequent roles included Chief Executive of Hamptons International, Senior Vice President at Citi-Financial, Managing Director of MG Capital which he floated on AIM (Alternative Investment Market) and CEO of AIM listed ILX Group.

John joined the Board in 2021.  He was born and educated in Bath before pursuing a career in education management, first with the Inner London Education Authority and then as a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers where he led one of the UK’s leading education and children’s services consulting groups. 

Karen joined the Board in 2020. She is a pharmacist and Senior Director of the Research & Development group at GW Pharmaceuticals.  Karen has held senior leadership roles with a number of pharmaceutical companies across the research and development, operational, financial, business development and commercial sectors.