Robert Banner OBE – Chairman (born 1942)
Robert is an Australian Chartered Accountant who has been a director and shareholder of a number of private companies in UK, Europe and the USA. He is a former trustee of Rethink Mental Illness and was Chair of its Board for 6 years. He has also served on the board of several other charities. He cares for a family member with mental illness and has direct personal experience of the issues relating to trust beneficiaries.
Angela Gillibrand – Director (born 1949)
After attending Oxford University, Angela joined a stockbrokers firm as an investment analyst. Following an MBA, she specialised in Finance and worked for Burmah Oil as a senior management accountant. At Cranfield University, she was the Finance Director for the contract to run the Army’s University at Shrivenham. Since 2003, she has combined several non-executive roles in the public and not for profit sectors with some charity trusteeships and a family farming and property business.
Barrie Gray – Director (born 1954)
Barrie cares for a close family member who has a mental illness so understands the needs of trust beneficiaries. He served in the Royal Air Force as a Senior Officer, is a Chartered Engineer by profession and has served on commercial Boards in the recent past. He now runs his own Consultancy Business. He joined the RTC Board of directors in 2010.
Ian Cuddington – Director (born 1980)
Ian Cuddington was born in Derby in 1980 and after studying Chemistry at Oxford University, he joined Rolls-Royce. Today Ian is the Director of Economic Development for Rolls-Royce Group, leading on global public investment in support of the company’s activities. Ian is a member of the aerospace trade association ADS Council and represents Rolls-Royce at the Aerospace Growth Partnership Board. He is also a member of the University of Derby Business School Council.
Ian is a keen runner and has participated in a several races and marathons raising money for charity. Mental illness has affected several people he is close to, including family members.
Chitra Khatri – Director (born 1985)
Chitra is an investment professional at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in London, specializing in advising both for-profit and non-profit institutions. Emerging from a modest family background, Chitra's path through the finance sector has deeply influenced her professional ethos, fostering a commitment to financial inclusivity and a desire to give back to the community. She holds a master’s degree in economics from Mumbai University and a CFA charter holder.
Chitra is an avid biker and travel enthusiast, whose adventures mirror her dynamic and community-oriented approach to both life and her career in finance.
Catherine Nile – Director (born 1949)
Catherine has first-hand knowledge and experience of caring for someone who has a severe mental illness and a great understanding of the needs and problems of those who suffer in this way, and also the issues and concerns from a carers perspective. After bringing up her family, she spent 20 years doing domestic conveyancing with a Bristol firm of solicitors. For 10 years she was a trustee of a charity that provided residential care for people with mental health problems. She was a trustee of Bristol Quakers for several years.
Simon Wilkinson – Director (born 1965)
After a career as an Engineer Officer in the Royal Air Force, Simon joined the Information Technology (IT) industry for a number of years. He is now a Senior Managing Partner in a consultancy firm working across many areas of IT. Simon’s youngest son has a genetic disorder that causes mental and physical problems. This means he needs 24/7 care. He joined the RTC Board of directors to help other people who need long-term support.
Mark West – Director (born 1944)
Mark practiced as a solicitor in Bristol and London, and thereafter as a barrister in London from 1973. He specialised mainly in property, but with early experience in other civil areas including family and crime. Recent experience has included some Court of Protection work. He has 25 years’ experience as a Recorder of the Crown Court. He is a CEDR qualified and practicing mediator. Mark was a guardian of 2 family minors and trustee of family trusts.
Tod Merson – Director (born 1954)
Tod managed a mixed farm in Somerset, before becoming an agricultural lawyer at the age of 40. He has been a trustee for several family trusts, as well as for a large estate in Devon. He now volunteers with the Family Community Network, which supports farmers who find themselves in difficulty. This often involves mental health issues. He has experience of caring for someone with mental illness.