New Chairman of Sussex Heritage Trust Dr John Godfrey retires as Chairman to become a Patron of the Trust

Simon Knight DL FRICS has been appointed the new Chairman of the Sussex Heritage Trust at the Annual General Meeting on 16th July held at Ardingly College. He replaces Dr John Godfrey DL MA FRGS FSA, who retired after serving eight years as a Trustee, seven of which were as Chairman. John has now been appointed a Patron of the Trust joining The Rt Hon. Lord Lloyd of Berwick PC Nigel H Clutton OBE, Christopher Gebbie DL OBE, Violet Hancock, Alastair Johns, The Lady Renton of Mount Harry and John C Small.

Previously Vice-Chairman of the Sussex Heritage Trust and Chairman of the Awards, Simon Knight, is a chartered surveyor, a Director of Savills, Vice-Chairman of the Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Trustee of Chawton House and Library, Jane Austen’s Family Home and Impact Initiatives, Brighton. He was previously Chairman of St Mary’s School, Calne, for eleven years until retiring in 2018.

A new Chairman of the Awards scheme and Vice-Chairman was announced as David Cowan BSc BARch RIBA FRSA. David recently returned as a Trustee and is an Architect and Expert Witness at Cowan Architects, which he founded in 1983.

Chris Stebbing, a chartered accountant, remains as Company Secretary and Treasurer.

Mr Knight said: “I am looking forward to building on the success of the Sussex Heritage Trust work so brilliantly led by John Godfrey over the last seven years and I am grateful to my fellow Trustees for the confidence they have shown in me.”

Dr John Godfrey, retiring Chairman, said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Chairman of the Sussex Heritage Trust. During that time, the Trust has made considerable progress, as demonstrated by the increasing popularity of the Awards scheme. My thanks go to all colleagues for their support over the years. I would also like to thank all the Trust’s sponsors, Friends and supporters. Special thanks to Gatwick Airport Limited, our Platinum sponsor and JPIMedia Ltd (Sussex Newspapers), our media partners.”