The charity that runs The Beehive has announced the appointment of three new Trustees/Directors, adding their skills and experience to strengthen the existing Board.
The new appointments follow an invitation to the public for new Trustees earlier this year. The three are:
Serena Sexton, a retired Prison Governor, who has held several management positions in the Prison Service, including Governor of both Dartmoor and Dorchester Prisons. Previously she was a Senior Probation Officer and sat on the management committee of a housing association for ex-offenders. More recently she has been a magistrate in both the family and criminal courts and has chaired the Patient Participation Group and the Health and Care Committee at Honiton Surgery. Additionally, she acts as a Care Navigator for Hospiscare.
Robert Sexton, a retired Police Superintendent, having managed a difficult police division in London, worked in policy and strategy departments at New Scotland Yard and managed the complaints and discipline department in one of London’s 5 Areas. He has also had roles as a management consultant, non-executive Director of an NHS Trust and as the CEO of a small charity in Somerset. He was the initiator and first Chairman of the Wiltshire County Neighbourhood Watch Committee and has had various roles in the community, including the chairing of several committees and groups.
Richard Howe, a retired partner at Everys solicitors, who has been involved in many aspects of Honiton life including: Chair of Governors at Honiton Primary School; Chairman of Honiton Rotary Club; Chairman of Honiton Chamber of Commerce; Founder Trustee of Honiton Millennium Green; Warden of Roundball Wood; and Steward of Allhallows and Honiton United Charities. A member of Honiton Town Council for 8 years, he served as Town Mayor from 1998 to 2000. He is currently the Hon. Treasurer of the Arts Society Honiton and is a volunteer at the Beehive, principally as Duty Manager.
Richard says: “I have lived in Honiton for nearly 40 years and throughout that time have tried to help improve the amenities of the Town and its attractions as a place to live. I believe that the Beehive is a tremendous asset to the Town. I want it to succeed and prosper, and I believe that the best way to do that is to commit myself by joining the Board as a Director/Trustee.”
Chairman Barry Simmonds reflected on the appointments,
“I am delighted to welcome Serena, Rob and Richard to the Board. No trustees receive financial remuneration for their time and efforts and therefore we are extremely grateful for their commitment. Their expertise and experience will be invaluable in advancing our mission to create a vibrant and stimulating arts and community centre that engages, challenges, entertains, supports, educates and encompasses our whole community.”
Following the recent appointments, John Burgess took the opportunity to tender his resignation. John commented that in working with the founding members of The Beehive he felt he had left a legacy that would be enjoyed by the community for years to come, but now it was time to pass on the baton, and relax a little more.
Mr Simmonds said, “We are very appreciative of John’s pioneering contribution to establishing the Beehive as a community asset and we thank him for his down to earth contribution on the Board.”
