The trustees of Bembridge Harbour Trust are delighted to announce that two new patrons – Sir Ian Cheshire and Sir Paul Kenny – and one new trustee – William Bland, offer to serve. We look forward to seeing our members and their guests at our next AGM where all appointments are formalised.
Sir Ian Cheshire is chairman of Barclays UK, and non-executive director of BT. He has also served as Lead Non Executive Director for the Government, Campaign Chairman of Heads Together, Chair of the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund and is a trustee of The Institute for Government. He was previously chief executive of Kingfisher plc. He and his wife Kate have had a home in Bembridge for over 20 years.
Sir Paul Kenny began his working life at Fullers Brewery in Chiswick aged 15, then worked in construction and various industries including local government before being appointed as an official of the then GMWU in 1979, becoming GMB London Regional Secretary in 1991 and General Secretary for two terms from 2006 to 2016. He was President of the TUC in 2012 and has served twice on the board of the Health and Safety Executive, from 2009, and later from 2018.
He was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday 2015 Honours list for his services to trade unions, the same year as he moved to the Isle of Wight where he remains actively engaged on issues of social justice and community values.
William Bland qualified as a chartered accountant in the seventies, and worked for multi-national and medium sized firms of accountants in London before setting up his own practice. He was treasurer of the Amersham Society, a charity set up to conserve the heritage of the historic old town.
He spent holidays in Bembridge for many years with his growing family, before setting up permanent residence here ten years ago, after he and his wife retired. He is a member of Bembridge Sailing Club and is a keen Bembridge One Design sailor.