The board of Sussex Central YMCA is a group of professionals who offer their time voluntarily as the Trustees of the charity. They are legally responsible for the governance of Sussex Central YMCA and along with Chief Executive and Senior Management Team set the strategic direction of the organisation. There are 6 board meetings each year held on the last Wednesday of every second month with the AGM held at the end of September each year. The board are always delighted to welcome new board members to the organisation (the role is unpaid) and if you wish to meet with us to find out more about the role please contact Ian Chisnall or David Standing via the Office at Reed House on 01273 222550.
Ian Chisnall (Chair)
Board Chair: Ian Chisnall
Ian works for a number of church networks and small businesses and has been a member of the board since 2000. He is thrilled to have been part of the organisation for so long and is impressed with just how much impact the volunteers and employees have on the city. He is keen to involve young people in the board. Ian’s first job was as a milk boy on the streets of Liverpool. He’s currently listening to Concierto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo.
John Puttock (Vice Chair)
Vice Chair: John Puttock
As a member of the board, John enjoys contributing to Sussex Central YMCA and takes pride in helping the charity develop and grow in serving children, young people and families within Sussex. John started off his working life as a paperboy, but more recently was Regional Director for a company in the building industry. Now retired, he brings a range of business and financial skills to the board. He is very passionate about his Christian faith and once helped rescue an elderly lady from her house, which was on fire.
David Goldin
Board Member: David Goldin
David has worked in the property sector for over 42 years and recently retired as the Managing Director of Fox & Sons. He has been married to his wife, Elizabeth, since 1971 and has a son called Matthew. He is a committed member of the Southwick Christian Community Church as well as Gideon's International. Although he has never scored 100 runs or taken a hat trick, David remains passionate about cricket. He also loves to relax in his garden.
Peter McMahon
Board Member: Peter McMahonPeter qualified as an accountant in Canada. He has worked in Liverpool, Horsham and Worthing before retiring five years ago. Because of his interest in helping local communities, particularly in youth activities, he became a trustee with Horsham YMCA, and when the Y Centre was transferred to Sussex Central YMCA, he volunteered to join the new board. His interests are mainly of an athletic nature, specialising in sprints and the 400 metres, and many years ago, won bronze medals at both the British indoors championships, and in the Canadian championships. In the last few years, he has played less sport, and done more walking and cycling, including climbing Kilimanjaro, trekking to the Everest Base Camp, undertaking the 3 Peaks challenge, and cycling from Land’s End to John O’ Groats, plus running the London marathon just the once, but never again.
Dr Andrew Nayagam
Board Member: Dr. Andrew Nayagam
Richard Smillie
Board Member: Richard Smillie
Richard joined Sussex Central’s board as a nominee from Horsham YMCA and is now retired after working as chief executive of various housing associations for the last 20 years. His first job was working as a labourer on the London underground but is a housing manager at heart as well as a Judo instructor.
Stuart Stokes
Board Member: Stuart Stokes
Stuart is proud to be part of Sussex Central YMCA as he is passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people and their families. He previously worked as the Stockwell Healthy Living Centre Manager based at South London YMCA. He loves problem solving and has experience of working in Sports, Health and Exercise. He keeps up the pace whilst rocking out to Slash.
Bryony Webb
Board Member: Bryony Webb
Bryony is a project manager of the Steyning Downland Scheme, and Housemistress at Steyning Grammar School Boarding House. She wanted to be on the board because of her experience working with homeless young people and her passion to help provide them with good opportunities. Bryony loves West side Story and in her spare time recently co-authored a book called God's Green Book: Seven Bible Studies about the environment.
Andrew S Thrower
Andrew has
Andrew S Thrower been a member of Lewes YMCA Board for over 20 years. All those years ago he came to the YMCA to play badminton but eventually became involved with the Board serving as Treasurer and Chair. Andrew is a building surveyor and he has managed construction projects in almost every county in Europe. As well as being a member on Sussex Central YMCA’s Board Andrew also serves on the Board of a housing association specialising in retirement property. Andrew was mistaken for an actor once whilst in Santa Clarita, California. He was asked to do a radio advert for a new coffee shop and was paid for the job in free coffee and doughnuts.
Tim Stace
Tim StaceTim joined Sussex Central YMCA’s Board when the organisation merged with Lewes YMCA. He admires how the YMCA supports disadvantaged young people of all faiths and help them back into society. Tim left school at the age of 16 and spent his early years in Croydon where he lived at a YMCA hostel. The hostel had 90 single bedrooms 10 of which were occupied by British boys and the other 80 had boys from all over the world. Tim says that the YMCA was his university. In his working career Tim was a Managing Director of a family wholesale business selling soft furnishing. The business employed more than 60 people, many straight from school. Tim is proud that many of the young people he has trained over the years still work for the company.
Tom Jeffery
Tom JefferyTom works for the Department of Education in London as a Director-General for Children, Young People and Families therefore he has a strong professional interest in the activities of Sussex Central YMCA. He lives in Lewes and his house is right next door to Lewes YMCA building. Tom had a close interest in what goes on over the fence and that is how he got involved as a YMCA Board member. As a Board member Tom sometimes brings the perspective of national policy to bear on Sussex Central YMCA’s decisions. He also says that the work of the YMCA helps keep his national policy feet firmly on the ground. You can see Toms daughter coaching at the Lewes Athletic Club and his son busking with his band the Ouse Valley Three.
