Trustees and governance

Bob Bracey - Chairman

Originally from the Midlands Bob is a qualified Environmental Health Officer and joined Waveney District Council in 1974. Currently Chairman, he has been a Trustee for over 10 years, although his association with the work of St Johns goes back to the days of the original “night shelter”! Before retiring in 2000 he was Director of Housing and Environmental Services for Waveney District Council and a member of the Council’s Management Team. He is also Vice Chairman of North Suffolk Victim Support and a Trustee of Waveney Community Forum.

David Ellis

Honorary Treasurer David has been honorary Treasurer of the Trust since April 1989. A qualified CIPFA Accountant, specialising in Public Finance, David has worked in the public sector all his working life, his full time job being Chief Accountant at Waveney District Council, where he has worked for 25 years. Outside of work, David spends much of his spare time riding Roller Coasters and Thrill Rides all over the world, and is a longsuffering supporter of Leeds United Football Club.

Dr Sam Revill

I was born in Norfolk but have lived in many other places around the UK. I like learning new things; languages and literature at college, a food science degree in Lincolnshire; a PhD at the Medical School of University of Newcastle upon Tyne. My previous work experience has included teaching in secondary schools; nursing in the armed forces; academic research; analytical chemistry and currently primary care health improvement. Other things I enjoy? Family, cooking and anything outdoors.

Tony Walmsley

Tony is now retired having spent 39 years in local government as a solicitor and Senior Manager. He spent his school years in Southend and gained his BA at Nottingham University. He worked for London Borough of Newham, Derbyshire County Council and Waveney District Council. For 22 years, Tony was a Trustee of St Mary’s Day Centre for the Elderly up to its hand over to Age Concern. Tony lives in Lowestoft with his wife Pat and they have a grown up son who lives and works in Leeds.

Linda Blackett

Recently joined as a Trustee, became involved in purchasing and contracting by accident and has stayed in that field for many years, beginning in telecommunications, then NHS and UNICEF. her work has taken her all over the world, living in Geneva, New York, Bangkok and Copenhagen and providing anything from dressmaking pins to drill rigs to development programmes for children and women. Linda now runs her own consultancy providing services in information technology, project management and contracting. In her spare time Linda sings barbershop in two choruses and a quartet. She is a certified barbershop music judge.

Trish Aydin

Trish, although interested in Law, achieved a BA (Hons) in Psychology, a Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming and a certificate in psychotherapeutic counselling. She has a keen interest in human rights and equality. Trish has worked in both the statutory and voluntary and community sectors as a manager in a wide range of services from community care, mental health, supported housing, therapeutic work with abused women and within child abuse.  She also worked in the homelessness field and was previously a manager with St Johns Housing Trust at its homeless families’ project. She is currently Chief Executive of a Community Anchor Organisation.

John Bunyard

John Bunyard retired from Waveney District Council having spent over 34 years in local government within the housing sector.  He began his career as a Housing Assistant, before becoming Allocations Officer, and later Housing Welfare Officer - a role that included dealing with cases of homelessness.  John was instrumental in helping to set up the Council's Housing Advice Service.  He became Service Manager for Housing for the last 14 years of his career and was responsible for the management of the Council's housing stock through a team of dedicated Housing Officers.  A member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, he served on the branch committee and acted as Press Officer for the branch.  In his spare time, John enjoys cycling and walking and is a generalist advisor with the Citizens Advice Bureau.