Get in touch Trustees and Officers President Roger Harper MBE A Bristolian who has always lived in the Bristol area and mainly worked in Bristol. Formerly a Solicitor for 15 years then a Barrister for 16 years. Between 2005 - 2010 Roger was also a part time Asylum and Immigration Judge. In addition to his work at the Bar and two part - time judicial appointments Roger used to lecture nationally on Employment Law. He was appointed a full time Employment Judge in 2010 and has now been retired since 2020. Roger was Chair of trustees of the Jessie May Trust between 2013 - 2018 and remains as an active Ambassador for the Trust. Roger was Prime Warden ( Master) of one of the London livery Companies - The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers - between 2021 - 2022. Roger will be Master of the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales 2027 - 2028. Roger is a member of the Cardiff Business Club. Member of the Antient Society of St. Stephen’s Ringers. Roger and his wife, Olga, are both active members of The Clifton Club. Roger and Olga are also active members of the Bristol Oporto Association. Roger was President of the Bristol Junior Chamber in 1988 and President of Bristol Breakfast Rotary Club 2008 and remains an active Rotarian. Roger’s outside interests include year- round wild swimming, and mountain walking. Roger presents occasional seminars on public speaking. Roger is married with two adult children and three grandchildren. Past PRESIDENT Chris Ladkin Chris is a qualified insurance professional and has spent over 50 years in insurance including starting a couple of businesses. Currently chair of the Brunel Group (head office in Bristol). Away from the world of insurance, Chris has served on several charitable trusts and is a school governor. His fund raising and non-executive director roles include St. Mary Redcliffe (a vestryman), The Canygnes Society, Clifton College, Elm Lea school, St.Georges, Brandon Hill and UWE-business school. Has the honour of becoming President of the Grateful Society from November 2023. Trustee Christopher Moorsom OBE A former managing director of a national firm or stockbrokers. He has served as chair of the Bath Building Society, chair of an Edinburgh based Venture Capital Trust, a non-executive director of the Weston Area Health Trust, a director of Bath, Chepstow and Hereford racecourses, a director of the Royal Welsh College of Music & drama. He is chairman of the Bristol based Spielman Charitable Trust, a former president and treasurer of the Grateful Society and Master of the Antient Society of St. Stephens Ringers. Trustee Dr. Mark Mason MBE Dr. Mark Mason MBE is an entrepreneur and investor from Bristol, England. He was the founder of Mason Zimbler and Mubaloo Mobile Consultancy, and Chairman of ForrestBrown. With a passion for technology, marketing, and start-ups Mark was also a founding member of the Bristol Private Equity Club and a former Governor of the University of the West of England. Mark is currently a fundraiser for Gympanzees, showing his dedication to social impact. With years of experience, he enjoys mentoring and investing in emerging businesses, helping them grow and succeed. Mark was President of the Grateful Society in 2019. In his spare time he flies Hot Air Balloons in the skies above Bristol. Trustee Kirsty Swan Originally from the Thames Valley, Kirsty made Bristol her home back in 2013. Kirsty is a full-time practicing solicitor, having previously run her own law firm and now works for a top 100 law firm. Kirsty is a trustee for Creative Youth Network, having held the role since September 2017. Kirsty’s other charity work has included helping charities such as the Marmalade Trust with making Christmas decorations, cycling to raise fund for St Peter’s Hospice and fostering cats for the Moggery Rehoming Centre. Kirsty is a past president for the Bristol Junior Chamber (2018 to 2019) having sat on other committee roles in their Counsel of Management. Kirsty’s outside interests include playing a lot of softball (all year around), cycling and being an avid bookworm. Chair of Trustees David Powell David was born in Sale, Cheshire, but has lived in Bristol since the age of 12. He qualified as a solicitor in 1981 and practised with various Bristol firms until his retirement from Osborne Clarke in October 2021. Throughout his professional career David has directed his efforts to supporting various charities, including the Children’s Hospice Southwest, The Park community hub in Knowle West, of which he was a trustee from 2010 until 2022, and Kids Out. As Head of Osborne Clarke's Bristol office, he helped to promote Stepping Up, a ground-breaking and award-winning initiative. Started by Professor Christine Bamford and Bristol City Council, Stepping Up is a diversity leadership programme supporting BAME communities, women and people with disabilities who live and work in Bristol and the wider region. David is a member of Society of Merchant Venturers . He is also a member of the Downs Committee. He is a keen sportsman who represented Bristol Rugby and Gloucestershire Golf, as well as being a board member of Bristol Rugby for 6 years from 2003. TREASURER Robert Drewett Robert is currently the High Sheriff of Somerset and a practicing solicitor in Bristol, having been a prominent Partner of two of Bristol’s leading law firms. Robert has been involved with a variety of charities within the county. His most active involvement has been with the Royal Bath & West of England Society, where he was chair from 2013 until last year. He remains connected to the Society, having been made a Vice President of it on his retirement. Robert is also a trustee of the Langford Trust for Animal Health and Welfare and the Wells Cathedral Preservation Trust and previously was a trustee of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Trust, Sight Research UK and chair of Folly Farm Limited, the trading company of Avon Wildlife Trust. On a wider stage he is a trustee of Innovation for Agriculture, the Royal Agricultural Society of England, the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, and the Grateful Society. He also served for 13 years as Church Warden of St Margaret’s Church, Hinton Blewett.
