The Trustees

The Trust is run by a board of nine trustees - all volunteers. Here is information about each of them including (in brackets) the bodies which nominated them to serve on the Trust:

Sally Blake (Crawley Borough Council)

Sally started her career in the travel industry first with BUA - later to become British Caledonian Airways as a reservations supervisor. Later she joined the retail travel trade sector before starting her own travel company.

She was a Crawley Borough Councillor from 1983 – 1991 and returned to politics in 2002. She was elected Mayor of Crawley for 2006 and 2007 and is currently Chair of the Budget Advisory Group.

Sally lives in Crawley and enjoys sailing, reading and listening to music.

Helyn Clack (Surrey County Council)

Helyn Clack is a Surrey County Councillor for Dorking Rural Division which lies across the southern rural area of Mole Valley from Oakwood Hill to Buckland and borders with Sussex and Gatwick Airport at Charlwood village. Helyn has been a councillor for 8 years, recently re-elected, she has also been a school governor in Charlwood, sat on the Parochial Church Council, was secretary to the Charlwood Society and for many years helped to support a youth scheme in the village where she lives with her husband.

Helyn is a director of a commercial property company

Gillian Dewdney (Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign)

Gillian was married to former West Sussex County Councillor, David Dewdney who died in 2010. He served Maidenbower, Worth and Pound Hill for over two decades and was a governor at Hazelwick School.

Before retiring Gillian worked as a secretary to one of the partners of Maybury and Sagoo solicitors in Crawley for 15 years and prior to that in the library at Crawley College for 10 years.

She has two children and three grandchildren and her interests include reading, walking, gardening, photography and embroidery.

Christopher Hersey (Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee)

An engineering consultant, Christopher Hersey has lived in the Mid-Sussex area since 1962. Married with three children, he was elected as a district councillor in 1984 and was chairman of Mid Sussex District Council during 2001-03.

During 22 years as a local councillor his views on safeguarding local residential and community environments in Mid Sussex have been paramount. He has pressed the need to retain and provide local amenities, whilst also safeguarding the Mid-Sussex environment and individuality from the pressures of further development.

Since 1984 he has served as a school governor and still retains his position at Warden Park School in Cuckfield. He is a member of the High Weald AONB and the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee. A keen supporter of local voluntary organisations, he has recently been appointed district chairman for the Haywards Heath and District scout group. Christopher also serves on two rural Parish Councils, Horsted Keynes and Lindfield Rural.

Neil Matthewson (West Sussex County Council)

A solicitor, who spent his career in the City. After retirement he was lead County Councillor for Education in West Sussex for four years, and a governor of two schools. Until March 2006 he was Chairman of West Sussex Health and Social Care NHS Trust. Has lived in Rusper for 40 years.

Ian Revell (Gatwick Airline Operators Committee)

Ian’s career spans 40 years with civil aviation working in the UK, France, Germany, Canada, USA, Caribbean and Hong Kong.  He was general manager of easyJet at Gatwick and has also worked for  Dan-Air, Ward-Air Canada, Cathay Pacific Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Air Canada.  Despite living in various hotspots around the world, Ian has always kept his home base in Crawley. His hobbies, time permitting, are walking, swimming, music and genealogy.

Mike Roberts (Gatwick Airport Limited)

Joined the then British Airports Authority in 1967 and qualified as a Civil Engineer. Career spanned roles in engineering, planning, design and construction of airport development projects and terminal management. Responsible for commissioning Gatwick North Terminal, was Managing Director of Heathrow Airport, then moved onto the main board of BAA plc as Group Technical Director. He retired from BAA in 2001 and now spends much of his time as a volunteer adviser with Horsham Age Concern. Lives near Horsham. Interests include walking, Scottish Country dancing, and singing with a local choral society.

Michael Sander (Gatwick Airport Limited)

Qualified as a chartered surveyor, started in private sector and voluntary sector housing. Moved to local government and developed career in planning, housing and general management. As chief executive of Crawley Borough Council from 1984 to 2002, led the council’s development planning in meeting the demands of a growing population in Crawley, and of the expanding airport within its boundary, including the negotiation of the planning agreements with BAA Gatwick. He is non-executive director of a health trust, operates as an international election observer, and is a consultant in local government, planning and housing. Michael lives in Tunbridge Wells. His interests include sailing, opera and classical music, and walking and cycling.

James E Smith, OBE (Surrey County Council)

Jim Smith has been a Surrey County Councillor representing Bookham and Fetcham West since 1997. He is currently the Executive Member for Community Safety.

He served as a District Councillor in Mole Valley from 1996-98. He was a Councillor in the London Borough of Merton from 1974-1986 where, at various times, he was Chairman of Housing, Planning, Highways and Technical Services. His professional background is in aeronautical engineering, and he was Group Technical Director of Frazer Nash.

Secretariat:Rosamund Quade