Our Trustees

The charity is lucky to have a multi-talented and committed group of Trustees who meet formally every two months, but who are also in regular contact with the staff on all issues.

John Gilbert – Chairman

Experience
Former Group Marketing Manager of Standard Chartered Bank, and now owner of JGFR a marketing research consultancy. Experience of sports administration and sports event management in the UK and abroad.

Why did you get involved
Sport has played a major part in my life and I wanted to be involved with a charity whose aims are to help disadvantaged young people experience the character building qualities, friendship and enjoyment that sport provides.

What has being involved with C4C has meant to you
(1) To experience at first hand how the impact dedicated, motivated and highly engaging coaches has changed the lives of thousands of young people through getting people to overcome disabilities and prejudices and interact with each other through cricket
(2) To feel part of such an incredible team and to provide help and guidance to enable the charity to sustain its wonderful work in the years ahead.

Carol Driver – Treasurer

Experience
Played cricket for Surrey Women’s team, Was in junior England squad; HR Director for variety of public and private sector organisations. Now Board Member for London Probation Service

Why did you get involved
I was asked 18 years ago and am still here. Having seen charity through various ups and downs

What has being involved with C4C has meant to you
An opportunity to grow a fantastic organisation that really makes a difference.

Alan Jarvis – Director and Charity secretary

Experience
Partner in City Law Firm for over 20 years specialising in trust based work

Why did you get involved
It was Tom Rodwell who came to me at a time when I was thinking of getting involved in some charitable work

What has being involved with C4C has meant to you
A chance to use my skills to assist the brilliant work of the charity in helping people from less fortunate backgrounds.

Mike Caudrey

Role at C4C  
Chair of Resources and Governance Committee

Experience 
25 years experience of working in the charity sector

Why did you get involved
Easily persuaded by another trustee of all the great work that C4C does, and that my skills/experience would make a difference.

What has being involved with C4C has meant to you
An opportunity to help behind the scenes and to witness some inspiring members of staff change the lives of young people.

Peter Shearlock

Experience
After a long career in financial journalism and publishing I now provide a variety of writing, training and other consultancy services to banks and corporates.

Why did you get involved
I have always loved cricket. Most of all, though, I was impressed at the creative and constructive manner in which C4C used the game to work with disaffected youngsters in inner-city estates. I believe that social alienation remains one of the biggest challenges this country faces.

What has being involved with C4C has meant to you
It has been fascinating watching C4C grow and develop and I am constantly astonished at the sheer volume of activities with which the charity’s teams get involved. But the most rewarding experience is to hear the stories of the many young individuals who have themselves grown and developed as a result of their contact with the charity.

Jacqueline Robinson

Experience
Previously Independent member of the Hertfordshire Police Authority, School Governor at Primary and Secondary schools for 13 years, previous trustee at London Sports Forum for disabled people.  Mother of 3 teenage boys who are all cricket mad!

Why did you get involved
My son has a degenerative eye condition and gave up mainstream sports at 8 years old. We found Cricket for Change through an activity day and he has been playing blind cricket ever since. If this is what can be achieved for my son I wanted to ensure that this is available to other young people with disabilities. I was lucky enough to witness first hand the superb work that Cricket for Change do on a trip to Barbados in 2007. When I returned I wanted to get involved and do more to support the Charity.    

What has being involved with C4C has meant to you
I have been able to be part of a fantastic organisation that can only get better and as a trustee have been given many opportunities to get involved. 

Paul Wickham

Experience
Long career in banking followed by 9 years as CEO of a charity. Now also a trustee of other charities

Why did you get involved
Initially to project manage the building of the Indoor Cricket School but have subsequently become a trustee having come to admire and want to support the amazing work of the C4C team

What has being involved with C4C has meant to you
There is a real need in our society for young people to find ways to engage and express themselves more fully. C4C offers such opportunities to a wide range of youngsters and it is hugely satisfying to play a very small part in helping that happen.

Charles Bretton

Experience
After a long career in the oil and gas business I now run a small company selling and trading carbon allowances. My background is sales and marketing orientated – this has enabled me  to also get involved in a number of different projects and companies both in the UK and abroad.

Why did you get involved
I have been mad keen on cricket all my life. After leaving Tonbridge School  I played for many club sides and have only recently hung up my boots. I have been an MCC member for many years and now enjoy watching the game. I have known John Gilbert for some time and recently agreed to assist in building a data base for the charity. During this time I became more aware of the work and achievements of C4C and was inspired by seeing the thrill and enjoyment that the game was bringing to such a wide range of disadvantaged youngsters. I think it is time I put something back into a game that has brought me so much enjoyment – especially if it can help those kids who have extra challenges in life to have a taste of the camaraderie and fun that the game of cricket can bring.

What has being involved with C4C has meant to you
The joy and pride that I saw on the faces of a group of young Afghan refugees together with the heartfelt applause they received from their rivals left me with a lasting impression– one that I would like to help repeat many more times in the future.

Charles Vallance

Experience
I have been involved with Cricket for Change for several years and became a Trustee in 2010.

Why did you get involved
I was introduced to the charity by a good friend and was instantly impressed with the work they do. I have always believed that sport is a great vehicle through which to help young people develop a sense of self esteem and teamwork, and Cricket for Change really does help change the lives of disabled and disadvantaged young people through there innovative programmes and through their hard work.

What has being involved with C4C has meant to you
It has given me the opportunity to become involved with a great team and to play a small part in helping the team change young people’s lives for the better.

Alex Clode

Experience
I have worked in Financial Markets since 1983; am a Governor of St.John’s School, Northwood; have held a number of Livery Company Committee and Board Observer roles; and have been a lifetime purveyor of the non-turning off-break!

Why did you get involved
My eyes were first opened to what could be achieved through sport when my son spent his summer holidays coaching rugby (his passion) to disadvantaged youths from the Projects in New York. I was inspired to try to find an organization that used cricket (my passion) in similar ways to change lives for the better and that I might be able to help and I feel blessed to have found C4C.     

What has being involved with C4C has meant to you
The C4C team’s positivity, passion, creativity and determination to make a difference have been totally infectious.  I have become equally determined to do whatever I can to help provide the stable and sustainable platform they need to be able to change even more young lives for the better.

Graham Thomas