Governance

Board of Trustees

Our Board of Trustees are all volunteers giving their time to ensure that the Charity is fulfilling its purpose, is legally compliant and financially sound. All Trustees apply to join the Board and are formally voted in at our AGM. Each member serves a three year term, after this they must stand for re-election should they wish to continue.

The Board has full responsibility for the Charity but delegates the operational work to the Chief Executive and staff team. Detailed financial planning and monitoring is delegated to the Finance Sub-Committee and Board members also appoint the Directors for Vision Support Trading.

Pen pictures of our current Board Members are detailed below. If you wish to contact a member of the Board please send correspondence to Vision Support, Units 1 & 2, The Ropeworks, Whipcord Lane, Chester CH1 4DZ.

Sandra Massey

Chair of Board/Finance Sub Committee

Member/Steering Group/Chester Disability Access Forum

Sandra Massey spent over thirty years in the chemical industry attaining the position of Group Production Planning Manager involving planning for production plants in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and the USA and has a BSc (hons) degree.

Sandra was registered as sight impaired in 2012 and had to take early retirement due to ill health in 2014. She then went on to join us at Vision Support, becoming a board member in 2019.

Her interests include genealogy, and involvement in Vision Support groups such as crown green bowling and swimming. She enjoys attending Vision Support’s audio described cinema screenings at the Storyhouse in Chester and has a “large tribe” of 9 grandchildren who keep her busy.

Bethan Wyn Jones

Deputy Chair of Board

Bethan Wyn Jones has been working within the Social Care field for twenty-six years as a Social Worker, Team Manager, project lead and service development lead. She now manages a care home for individuals with complex mental health needs.

Bethan’s passion is ensuring that all those living with a disability are given every opportunity to ensure they can fulfil their potential, whatever that may be, and that carers are given the full recognition for the work they do on a daily basis and that they are able to access the appropriate support to be able to continue in that role.

Bethan is totally committed to the principles, values and ethics of Vision Support and all the staff do, having witnessed first-hand the positive impact possible for people living in the community with a sight issue.

In her spare time Bethan enjoys “reading and running …. and reading about running!!!” Having completed a virtual ultra-marathon (100km’s) during lockdown along the promenade in Colwyn Bay over 5 days she is currently considering her next challenge!

Linda Davies

Board member/VST Board member

Linda Davies joined the Board of Trustees of VES in November 2003.  During her career, she worked in both private and public sector organisations.  She has a degree in Human Resource Management & Development and a postgraduate degree in Strategic Management.

She retired from her post as Head of Performance Management in the Education Department of the Welsh Assembly Government in 2010.  From 2011 to 2018 she was a part-time Examinations Assistant at Bishops Blue Coat High School in Chester.

Now enjoying her retirement, Linda likes to walk and keep fit, particularly with Zumba and Fit-steps classes.  She is married to Paul; they live in Mickle Trafford and have two children and four grandchildren.

Mr Miles Tutton FRCS FRCOphth DO

Board member /Chair of VST Board

Miles Tutton was involved in ophthalmology for over thirty years, serving communities in the South East and North West of England. Since 1986, he was a consultant ophthalmologist in Chester looking after both adults and children. He carried out surgery for cataracts, squints and glaucoma, as well as treating retinal conditions. He was at the forefront of the use of lasers especially in corneal refractive surgery.

He is interested in how people deal with eye defects and diseases. He is keen to help those with low vision to fulfil their potential and to lead as active lives as possible.

He lives in Chester with his wife Ruth and has four grown up children. His interests include lecturing, golf, and DIY.

Luci Jones

Board member/Finance Sub Committee member

Luci is currently the Chief Finance and Operating Officer for Cheshire Academies Trust, a charity operating primary schools in Cheshire.

Luci’s areas of expertise include strategic management of finances, human resources and facilities; the professional development of staff; fundraising, marketing and communications.

She has significant experience in supporting in designing internal structures to support organisations in making the best possible use of their resources and facilities.

Luci is inspired by working and volunteering in roles that help improve life chances and supports the vision and ethos of Vision Support. She was motivated to join the Board having witnessed first-hand the difference made by the services provided by Vision Support when they supported a colleague through illness.

Luci lives in Chester with her husband Dan. She enjoys spending time outdoors, usually with her dogs Nell and Pepper in tow.

Mark Thorp

Board member/VST Board member/Finance Sub Committee member

Mark is a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser. After qualifying with a small firm in Chester, Mark worked for more than 20 years as a tax director with a big-4 accounting firm. After a two year role at HMRC, he joined Peel Ports as their senior tax and treasury manager.

Mark is now based at the Port of Liverpool and has group wide responsibility for the management of all taxes as well as roles in cash/treasury management and staff development and management.

Mark lives in Chester with his wife Louise and has two grown-up children. His spare time is largely taken up playing golf and watching Chester FC.

If you feel that you have skills that would contribute to the work of the Trustees and would like to join the Board please contact the Chief Executive for further details and an application form.