Trustees

Morgan Williams

President

More than forty years ago I met Miss Raymonde-Hawkins. She invited me to become a Director at Raystede and after a few years in that role I became Chairman. After Miss Raymonde-Hawkins death I was invited to take over the reins as CEO. It was a challenging period for the charity but my tenure culminated in the development of the extensive aviaries we have now and the new welfare block. Upon my retirement I was honoured and very proud to become President to continue my long association with Raystede.

John Amies

Vice chair of Trustees

When I started my career I was a Unilever Management Trainee. I quickly moved into international sales and marketing within blue chip companies. Later I moved into business consultancy, working with many small to medium size businesses. Finally I ended my career in Senior General Management with particular focus on business development, finance and HR. I care deeply about animal welfare, bringing my business experience to the table to support our cause. I live at the foot of the downs with my wife and two cats.

Helen Tracey

Treasurer

I am Finance Director at Sussex Housing and Care. With over 25 years' experience as a qualified accountant, I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

My experience spans major corporations, working for a leading animal welfare charity and education. Originally from Sussex, I spent several years working overseas before returning to Sussex. I now live on the coast where I enjoy walking my two rescue dogs. I am delighted to be a Trustee for Raystede and working with the team to give animals a better life.

Janet Kelly

Trustee

I have been an animal lover all my life and currently have a rescued German Shepherd, three cats and five chickens. As a journalist I have been involved with telling the stories of many animal charities in the past, while volunteering as a magistrate gave me an insight into how animal welfare has been under-represented in our legal systems. Since moving to Sussex three years ago I have been involved with Raystede as a fundraiser, winning the Community Fundraiser Award in 2018 and nominated for 2019.

I look forward to being part of the team to make the organisation as successful as possible in all areas.

Sue Walton

Trustee

Having been brought up on a Sussex farm I have a passion for the environment and animal welfare. I’m committed to the charitable sector and have served in senior professional roles as CEO and as trustee. Prior to this I had a 25-year career in investment banking. I hope that I bring the best of my corporate governance experience to my role as Trustee for Raystede.

I share my life with four rescue cats (Lady Penelope, Toby, Bert and Ernie), four chickens and my husband Bob.

Ian Kerr

Trustee

I co-founded the international charity ActionAid in the early 1970s. I've been a Fellow of the British Institute of Management and the Administrative Accounts Institute. I've since worked extensively in the charity sector and chair an African animal charity. I was a founding member of the Institute of Fundraising. Then I returned to my passion for animals, serving on the boards of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust & international equine charity, The Brooke. I've always had Collies; rescuing animals is one of my most satisfying achievements.

Steve Derrick

Trustee

I have always had a passion for the environment that we live in and the animals we share our spaces with. I have worked in commercial businesses my entire career. Since 2012 I have been driving commercial best practice and developing new opportunities firstly at the National Trust and more recently with the RNLI. I will bring my extensive commercial knowledge to Rayste­de to bring in additional income and to support the charities great work whilst at the same time enhancing the visitors experience.

Sarah Elliott

Trustee

I’ve never wanted to be anything other than a vet, helping to improve the lives of animals big or small. I graduated as a vet from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 2007. As a passionate advocate of animal welfare, I found myself drawn to working within the charity sector. I have worked for the PDSA and Cats Protection, and I hold a post-graduate qualification in feline medicine. I understand first-hand how emotionally demanding animal rescue work can be. But being able to make a positive impact on an animal’s welfare is a wonderful reward.

Dr Sam Gaines

Trustee

I am currently the Head of Companion Animal Science and Policy at the RSPCA and have worked in the field of animal welfare science for over 20 years. I have a PhD in the welfare of kennelled dogs and prior to joining the RSPCA, studied the behaviour, performance and welfare of dogs used by the armed forces and police. I passionately believe that all animals should be able to experience, at the very least, a life worth living. I am really looking forward to working with the Raystede team to help them maintain the highest welfare standards and to ensure that, at all stages of care, animals experience good welfare.