Board of Trustees

Dr. Vivien St Joseph – Chair

I was a GP with Creffield Medical Centre for thirty years, and as a senior partner, engineered the move from the original Creffield Road Victorian house site to the new premises in the old Garrison riding school area.

Since retirement I have spent more time on my farm looking after and showing our pedigree cattle and with three grandchildren, I am always busy.

I have been involved with Balkerne Gardens Trust for many years – initially as a visiting GP and in the last nine years on the Board of Trustees.

Mrs. Rosy Stamp JP M.Ed – Vice Chair

I have a background in speech and language therapy and served as Principal of the Ryes School in Sudbury, an independent school for children with special needs, from 1991 to 2002.

I later became CEO of St Helena Hospice until 2013, after which I cared for my elderly mother.

I am Chair of Trustees at the Love and Robinson Trust and a trustee of the Bridge Project in Sudbury. I also served on the University of Essex Council and as a magistrate for 29 years. Now retired, I enjoy family, gardening, travel, and reading.

Mr. Edward Powell

I have been a solicitor in the local area for over 25 years and was a founding trustee of the Colchester Half Marathon.

I am also an ex-chairman of Colchester Colne Round Table.

In my spare time, I love to travel, enjoy walking my dog and take part in local pub quizzes.

Mr. Matt Armstrong BEng

My career begun as a British Army Officer in the Royal Artillery regiment. I held my position there for over 10 years before becoming a Management Consultant.

After a couple of years, I joined Colchester Borough Homes in 2009 as Head of Asset Management, finally retiring as Director of Business Improvement.

I am an avid sports fan, but I also enjoy running, dog walking and watching films.

Mr. Michael Baker FCCA Retired

I have spent my broad career working for BP Oil UK for 37 years. Starting off as a Qualified Accountant before culminating in CFO and then Head of European Internal Audit.

During my retirement, I spent a few years as a non-executive Director and Director of Finance at Colchester General Hospital.

I am an active member of Colchester Baptist Church and a trustee of Scope in Colchester and Tendring, Castlegate Centre.

Dr. Nicholas Dixon BA, PhD, BM, BCh

After starting as an undergraduate medical student in 1965 and then spending 4 years in the USA, I finally completed medical training in 1975.

I moved to Colchester in 1976 and joined the Creffield Road Practice as a GP in 1980. Retired from practice in 2007.

My key interests are golf, DIY, woodwork, and cooking.

Dr. Susanna Davidson MBBS, DRCOG

I qualified as a Medical Practitioner in 1980 and became a General Practitioner in Colchester in 1985.

I continued working here until 2000, before joining as a CEO of Community Health Partnerships in 2004 and I held this role until 2021.

I was a Trustee of St. Mary’s School in Colchester between 2000 – 2005 and things I love include politics and my grandchildren.

Ms. Alison Inman OBE

I have worked in local government and the housing and third sectors and currently hold a number of non-executive positions.

I am a Past President of the Chartered Institute of Housing and received an OBE for Services to Social Housing Tenants. I was a Magistrate in Colchester for fifteen years and chaired the Essex Family Panel.

I love family history, gardening and the wonderful Essex and Suffolk coasts.

Dr. Mary Kennedy RN (Mental Health & Adult); MSc; Prof Doc in Nursing; FAETC

I am a Registered Nurse with experience across clinical, research, and academic settings within the NHS.

I now work at the University of Essex’s School of Health & Social Care as a lecturer and researcher.

My interests include dementia care, end-of-life care, and the use of creative arts and storytelling in health education. I advocate for compassionate, person-centred care and volunteer as a Samaritans Listening Volunteer.

Mrs. Vivien May

I trained as a State Registered Nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, at the Nightingale School of Nursing.

After qualifying, I specialised in diabetes care. I moved to Colchester in 1983 and, three years later, established the diabetes specialist nursing service there, which continues today.

In the mid-1990s I changed direction and completed a BA (Hons) with the Open University. I have lived in Colchester for over 40 years, sharing my home with a succession of dogs, starting with springer spaniels and now cockers.

Ms. Sarah Connal BSc (Hons)

I have worked in philanthropy for over a decade, securing much-needed funding from charitable trusts, foundations, and statutory grant-makers to enable charities to deliver meaningful and lasting impact for their beneficiaries. My career has included roles in philanthropy with The NSPCC, The Smith Family in Melbourne, and SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity. I am currently working at Age UK, where I build and strengthen strategic partnerships that support the organisation’s work in support of older people. 

Alongside my professional role, I volunteer with Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Service and at Colchester Arts Centre. Outside of work, I enjoy playing tennis at my local club in Dedham and spending time with my family, including my son Charlie and our two dogs.