Our Board of Trustees

Simon Hayes

I became Chair in April 2021, and have over 30 years experience working in the local government and voluntary sectors across Hampshire and The Isle of Wight. I ran a business based in the New Forest for more than 20 years before an interest in criminal justice prompted a career change in 2005.

I studied Criminology and Social Policy, attaining a BSc degree. I work with an interest in preventing offending and re-offending, particularly associated with crimes linked to drug and alcohol abuse. I became the first Police & Crime Commissioner for Hampshire & the Isle of Wight in 2012.

I am the Founding Director of The Social Change Society CIC, a social enterprise established primarily to tackle social problems, reduce the risk of offending through the use of an evidence based early intervention approach, delivering alternative ways of behaviour and attitudes, away from offending tendencies and influences. I am committed to this process of social change by supporting young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health challenges with an emphasis on preventing crime, reducing re-offending and protecting the vulnerable.

I have devised and influenced effective governance structures and overseen change within statutory, charitable and business organisations, recognising the importance of credible structures to deliver legitimacy, efficiency and innovation.

Prior to being Police Commissioner, I was a National Board member of CrimeStoppers and Chairman of the Charity’s Hampshire & the Isle of Wight Committee. I am also a past Chairman of the Hampshire Police Authority, Leader of the New Forest District Council and a County Councillor for Hampshire. I’ve previously been a Samaritan Volunteer in Southampton, Trustee of The Blue Lamp Trust, FootPrints Project and New Forest & Southampton Mediation.

I’m President of Romsey St John Ambulance, Ambassador for UK Shaolin Centre, Advocate for Trinity Winchester, Trustee with The Hampshire Gardens Trust and the newly formed DayHab Project in Winchester.

John Carter

I am the Treasurer for the Hampton Trust. I qualified as a Chartered Accountant who has been involved in finance for over 25 Years at JP Morgan Chase, HSBC and Zurich Insurance. In the last few years I held senior financial positions in local organisations with a greater social impact, including a group of schools, a Southampton charity supporting homeless people and currently at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton.

I bring a commercial experience in finance at board and senior management, especially in the areas of business management, cash flow and grant submissions. I have been involved with Hampton Trust since 2014.

Sue Gregory

I was appointed as a Trustee in January 2018. After 24 years administrative experience in local government housing, I became consultant for an IT specialist using my experience to implement business systems for local government housing organisations and associations in the UK and abroad.

I am now enjoying a busy and rewarding retirement includes sport, gardening and my local WI group which is very active in my local community.

Mary Downes

My first job was in managing acute and community NHS services in London and then Portsmouth. This led to Community Health development roles with Hampshire, then West Sussex Social Services and then the voluntary sector. I have previously provided governance support to Hampshire schools, and was the Designated Governor for Safeguarding on a school governing body. I hope to bring some of this wide-ranging management experience to support the Trust’s future development, particularly in developing robust and sustainable systems. I am particularly interested in Organisational Sustainability; Business Development, Governance, Current Affairs, Social Policy and Gender Equality.