Our Trustees

Mr Colin Straker, Chairman of the Trustees

Mr Keith Preston

Colin is a chartered Civil Engineer now retired, previously running a medium sized Engineering Consultancy of some 220 staff. He has been a magistrate for 30 years. Other positions he has held include Past Chair Institution of Civil Engineers, Chiltern Branch, Member of the Parliamentary Advisory Committee on Traffic Safety and Chair of Hertford Town Forum.

Keith was formerly Marketing Operations Manager, covering the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan for GlaxosmithKline. He has extensive business experience and has operated very successfully in challenging situations. As well as marketing with its emphasis on customer focus, he has significant experience of training

Dr Caroline Bowes Lyon

Mr Richard Bott

Caroline is a Governor of North Hertfordshire College, which works closely with Wheels. She has been a Magistrate for 30 years with a particular interest in Probation. She has retired as a lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire, where she was also Personal Tutor to students, now a Visiting Research Fellow there.

Richard farms at Benington, near Stevenage. He has extensive experience of practical mechanics and engineering, and has taken a detailed interest in the operation of the Wheels workshop for many years.

Mr Bill Liggins

Mr Gwyn Marson

Having retired from a 20 year career in the City Bill now works as a Citizens Advice Bureau advisor. He brings his financial expertise and business experience to the Trust and, among other activities, works as a fund raiser.

Gwyn has successfully run a family manufacturing company (W E Marson Co Ltd) from 1978 to 2008, during which time it has developed significantly. Its clients are in Industrial, Medical, Educational and Research fields. Previously he attended Tottenham Technical college studying for a higher national diploma in building construction.

Matthew Hurst

Matthew has lived in Stevenage all his life and is married to wife Chrissy. They have 19 year old twins Samantha and David. He works for an Independent Financial Advisor in London and is also a Conservative Councillor on both Stevenage Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council representing the wards of Longmeadow and Broadwater. He is especially interested in the provision of youth facilities within the town and is a school governor of Barnwell School and Vice Chairman of a local youth football club. Matthew is also a qualified referee.