Meet the committee


The following were elected at the 13 April 2011 AGM as officers and trustees for the year:

Chair
Mary McKean

Honorary secretary
Hazel McKay

Honorary treasurer
Rupert Radcliffe-Genge

Committee
Martin Auton-Lloyd
Robert Edwards
Neil England
Delia Forester
Sarah Gibbings
Jim Gowans
Jackie Marsh-Hobbs
John McKean
David Robson
Caroline Stephens
Helen Walker

Below you will find a brief description of each person.

Chair


Mary McKean
I want to lead the Society towards a future where we are even more widely known for the lead we take in championing excellence in our City by protecting and promoting our unique heritage whilst encouraging high quality innovation. My highest priority for the Society is a fascinating and varied programme for members, building on the success of the lectures and study tours and growing our membership, especially amongst the young.
I’ve been a senior civil servant in the Cabinet Office and I’ve also worked for the British Council as Director in the Czech Republic and Director of Libraries and Information. I now run an organisational consultancy for public service organisations. I have sat on and chaired numerous groups and am an experienced public speaker.

Secretary


Hazel  McKay
We  have firm foundations for the future – a new constitution and rules, and a brand new website, which I believe is a real credit to the Society. Now we need to rebuild the reputation of the Society so once again it is viewed as the City’s premier civic society. Our next step is to develop a clear vision for what we want to achieve, then utilise the society’s resources to achieve it. We need to reach out to everyone in the city, nurturing better links with other societies, and improving communication with our members. My background? Mathematician, musician, chartered town planner and retired local government director.



Treasurer


Rupert Radcliffe-Genge
If the Regency Society is to prosper, its finances must be sound and well-managed. As honorary treasurer of the Brunswick Town Charitable Trust and the Marine Square Enclosure, I manage similar or larger turnovers and build reserves. I'm setting a realistic budget for the Society and will be investigating additional sources of income.
Being a safe pair of hands does not mean hoarding the Society’s resources while failing to offer members and the city the services and support they need. For example, it is worth investing small sums to develop expertise in the implications of localism, or to sustain our lectures and events.

 

Committee


Neil England
With more than 40 years of experience in the repair and maintenance of listed buildings, both hands-on and as a consultant and surveyor (non RICS), I came onto the Society’s committee with the desire to share my knowledge of the city and beyond – both with the committee and the membership as a whole. You can see the start of this, the fact sheets on “living with...” period buildings on this website, which will be extended over time. I’d like to expand this educational work with practical workshops for the membership and become an online agony uncle for owners and occupants of our period buildings. It is a unique resource for the Society and an extension of a life spent in conservation.



Jim Gowans
I taught French and German and served as a cadet force adult volunteer at Hurstpierpoint College from 1981 to 2011. I have been a life member of the Society since 2009. I represent the West Hill at the Conservation Advisory Group to BHCC and I am Honorary Secretary of the Montpelier and Clifton Hill Association when I have taken a particular interest in its successful campaign to save the Royal Alex.
I support the Society’s excellent lecture programme, its valuable social events – and above all its campaigns to conserve historic buildings and to set high standards of design for new development.



Martin Auton-Lloyd
With more than 10 years experience of charity management and as a member of the Institute of Fundraising I bring to the committee a set of skills including experienced gain at an international membership organisation. I have also been instrumental in the formation of two charities including the successful Friends of St Nicholas Church.
My skills  support the trustees in strengthening the society, enabling us to grow. I want to work to recruit new members to ensure a strong future for the Society. I also work to ensure that  fundraising opportunities are maximised to ensure the Society’s financial well-being.



Delia Forester
In the 1970's and '80s, as the architect in the Council's Conservation team I designated and extended several of Brighton's conservation areas. I organised and served the Conservation Advisory Group. I set up Brighton's first Architectural Salvage scheme, and administered listed building grants. I have served on Brighton & Hove City Council, and was until 2007, Vice Chair of the Planning Committee. I now teach Building Construction & Design and Town Planning at Brighton University. I would like to see the Society form closer links with conservation societies in other historic cities and to take a more pro-active interest in our City’s major historic attractions, so they can be the best they can be.



Prof John McKean
I'm honoured to have been invited four times over two decades to give talks to the Society. I see members’ engagement at the Society’s core – with us all  enjoying its talks and trips, understanding and contributing to its role in ongoing planning and conservation issues for the enhancement of our city.
I started a successful local campaign against an inner-city motorway in Glasgow long ago. I was Professor of Architecture at Brighton University from 1996-2008; I also share my enthusiasm for architecture past and present in books, on TV and in talks.



Sarah Gibbings
We need to reach out and offer more to members, other societies and the wider city. That means a clearer vision, better communications (my professional field) and a richer programme. I’ve so far worked to upgrade our branding and website, so we can highlight new issues and ideas quickly and accessibly, canvas your views and provide practical information. The new education section, will be expanded: ideas include workshops on topics ranging from period colour schemes to plasterwork; guided walks; and a children’s programme.
I’ve been active in local conservation/amenity issues for almost 20 years – I’m a trustee of the Brunswick Town Charitable Trust and on the committee of the Kingscliffe Society as well as the Regency Society.

Robert Edwards
I'm editor of the society’s newsletter the Review and have been a member of the Society since 2002. I've also been a committee member of the Brighton Society since 1998 and the Kingscliffe Society since 1999. I'm a member of the Georgian Group, the Friends of the Royal Pavilion and Volk’s Electric Railway Association.
I'm from several generations of a local family. I'm also a keen believer in the protection of the city’s historic architecture and the conservation of distinctive and sensitive townscape.




Jackie Marsh-Hobbs
I was born in Brighton and have lived here for most of my life, as a mature student I achieved a 2.1 degree in ‘The History of the Decorative Arts and Crafts’ at the University of Brighton. Since then I have worked as a freelance guide/ teacher at the Royal Pavilion, Preston Manor and museums, taught adultd local history and run CCE courses for The University of Sussex.
I conduct tours at Brighton Station, Palmeira Mansions, The Old Ship Hotel and travel around the country lecturing. I feel privileged to live in such a beautiful city being part of and involved in so much of its heritage.



Caroline Stephens
Brighton 'born and bred', I have a keen personal interest in the City of Brighton and Hove. I am currently working for a local architectural publishing and media company, placing me in a prime position for both world current affairs, and local (we recently published the listing of Saltdean Lido).
I joined the Regency Society five years ago because I was interested in the lecture series and discovering more about the history and architecture of this city.





Prof David Robson
I have been a member of the Society since 1995 and served on its committee until 2005. I have helped to organise the Society’s lecture programme and, more recently, I have organised study tours to Berlin and the Veneto.
The Society should celebrate and defend the architectural heritage of our city and act as a forum for debate about its future.





Dr Helen Walker
An independent policy consultant, Helen previously worked in planning, economic development, environment and conservation policy for several local authorities, including Brighton. Formerly a university Chair of Department, most recently I was appointed to SEEDA and the government’s Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment as an Advisor and Building for Life Accredited Assessor. I currently sit on the National Panel of the annual Civic Trust Awards. I support the Society's participation in the emerging 'localism' agenda, including neighbourhood planning, and and moves to widen  the membership to reflect the City's diversity.


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