Stephen Parry - Chairman

Stephen's connections with Herne Bay go back most of his life. He feels passionately that the town's pier is central to its character and well-being. Stephen has extensive experience working in the voluntary sector and with the Council. Professionally Stephen is Senior Partner of solicitors Parry Law, based in Herne Bay. He lives just outside the town with his wife, Carolyn, and two younger children (the older two having flown the nest!)

 

Julian Jennings - Company Secretary

Julian is married to Angela with three children and has lived in Herne Bay since 1989. Julian has 30 years experience in financial services, including as Sales Director within a financial services division of Lloyds Bank.  He now has diverse business interests as a landlord and Compliance Consultant to a small portfolio of financial services firms.  He is also Managing Director of two private limited companies, Guardian Estate Nominees Ltd and Estate Shield Ltd.

 

 

Shona Halley - Secretary

Shona was born and raised in Herne Bay but always wanted to travel.   Following a summer job in Mallorca she decided to learn Spanish and that was the start of a 33 year career in tour operating, working her way up the ladder to Area Manager with teams of up to 60 staff. From Spain she moved to Portugal, West Africa, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico and USA.   During this time she also enjoyed many fantastic holidays to far flung places, but never failed to return, at least once a year, to Herne Bay and her family. She returned permanently in 2007 to care for her parents and works part time as Shop Manager at the town's Oxfam shop.   

 

 

Andy Newell - Membership Secretary

Andy has fought publicly for many years for the restoration of Herne Bay's pier. He has many memories of the old pier and passionately believes it should be restored to its former glory as a benefit not only to the people of Herne Bay but also for the rest of the country. Andy is married to Jackie and has two daughters: Nicola 19 and Frances 17; and a son Todd 21. He works in the construction industry.

 

  

Graham Cooper - Press and Publicity Officer

Graham is semi-retired and living in Herne Bay. Married with 4 grown up children he now enjoys life in the local community and is a staunch supporter of Herne Bay and its variety of small shops and businesses. Before his retirement, Graham enjoyed a long career with the Bank of England finally becoming Head of Procurement, responsible for the Bank's contracts with external suppliers. Whilst not dealing with Pier Trust matters, he is also the Chair of Governors for a local pre-school.

 

 

Bev Hardstone

Bev has lived in Herne Bay for the past 11 years with her husband and 2 golden retrievers. Bev is a management consultant with 25 years in the field of human resources and management development. She is the Managing Director of the Learning Academy, a London based management consultancy which specialises in helping organisation grow by developing high performing teams. Bev has an established track record of leading and managing change projects, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sector.

Michael Khoury

Michael has lived in Herne Bay for 23 years where his business interests include amusement arcades, catering and retail. He is a founder member of Town Partners and active in Herne Bay's Chamber of Commerce, for which he is currently President. He started life in a refugee camp and as a young man he worked on oil rigs in the Arabian Gulf. He was Employee Relations Representative for an American company for 4 years before being head hunted for the Ministry of Petroleum. After 5 years he moved to the UK, where he met his wife June.

 

 

 

Sue Austen - Website Administrator

Sue was born and brought up in Kent, and has lived in Herne Bay for almost 10 years with her husband, two teenage children, and two dogs. She has worked for over 25 years as an independent film and television producer and has made programmes for the BBC, ITV and Channel Four. Her first feature film was selected for the prestigious Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival and she has received two BAFTA nominations for her work.

 

 

 Jason Hollingsworth - Treasurer

Jason is a Chartered Accountant with over 17 years of commercial experience.  He has worked extensively for blue chip organisations, including as Manager of Price Waterhouse and an Associate Director of Deutsche Bank.  In the past decade his focus has been on the Third Sector where he has fulfilled roles including Finance Director of a multi-million pound public arts project in London (www.alunatime.org).  He has also co-founded a number of not-for-profit enterprises including etheco.com.  Jason lives in Herne Bay with his wife and two children.

Peter Lee

Is a Conservative Councillor representing the Herne Bay ward West Bay on Canterbury City Council.. Peter has lived in Herne Bay for 50 years and has been involved in many local voluntary organisations during that time.  He runs his own IT Consultancy based in the town.

  

Margaret Flaherty

Is a Liberal Democrat Councillor representing Greenhill and Eddington Wards. Margaret lives in Herne Bay and is a teacher and mother of four grown up children.