Our Trustees
Get Support
Contact Bromley Mencap.
Telephone us on 020 8466 0790
(Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
or use our online enquiry forms.
Get Support
Contact Bromley Mencap.
Telephone us on 0208 466 0790
(Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
or use our online referral forms.
Bromley Mencap Trustees
Find out what inspired them to join Bromley Mencap and their vision for the future.
Adrian Hilderly, Chair
His volunteering experience includes being a Scout leader, a fundraiser, and a trustee of a foundation that donated money and ran volunteer programmes. He has also served as a director of a charity that provides employment opportunities for autistic people.
Adrian’s connection to Bromley Mencap spans many years through his family, giving him firsthand awareness of the excellent care and support the organisation provides to the community. Keen to contribute, he initially began volunteering at the bike workshop in the Lodge. Given his professional background, he explored Trustee opportunities, which eventually led to his appointment as Chair.
He is married to Ann, a leader of the disabled Scout group, and has two adult children, both of whom have volunteered with Bromley Mencap and the Scouts.
In his spare time, Adrian enjoys music and sports, both as a participant and a spectator. He also helps run a monthly quiz.
Hannah Ford
Hannah brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal experience to the role, making her a valuable advocate for the communities we serve.
Hannah’s professional background spans various industries, with extensive experience in business management, sales, HR, and risk assessment. She has also been involved in strategic planning and fundraising, having supported charitable efforts in her workplace. These skills equip Hannah with a well-rounded perspective to help guide Bromley Mencap as we continue to grow and innovate.
On a personal level, Hannah’s journey as the mother of a 5-year-old autistic son has given her deep insight into the challenges faced by families navigating diagnosis, education, benefits, and childcare. Bromley Mencap’s support during these times proved invaluable to her, and she is now passionate about giving back by becoming a voice for other parents and carers.
Hannah is committed to upholding Bromley Mencap’s mission, goals, and values, while helping to ensure our services remain accessible and impactful. She is especially inspired by the charity’s personable approach, as seen at our 2024 AGM, where the strong connection between staff and members truly stood out.
Outside of her professional and trustee roles, Hannah enjoys spending time with her family, going for long walks, and pursuing creative hobbies such as painting and photography. She describes herself as tenacious, diligent, and ambitious – qualities that will undoubtedly strengthen her contributions to Bromley Mencap.
Maria Chukwu-Nsofor
Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in psychology with plans for a PhD, Maria is driven by a strong sense of purpose. She aims to make a meaningful contribution by enhancing and sustaining Bromley Mencap’s valuable services.
Reflecting on her journey, Maria highlights the staff’s unwavering dedication and countless moments of impact that have enriched her family’s life. Outside of her work and volunteering, Maria enjoys painting (oil on canvas is a favourite medium), exploring architectural history and antiques, and sharing a love of pottery and cycling with her son.
As a parent, carer, and advocate, Maria brings a unique perspective to the board. Describing herself as compassionate, resourceful, and driven, she is excited to contribute her skills and insights to Bromley Mencap’s mission of making a positive difference in people’s lives.
Geoff Gostt
Geoff became a Trustee of Bromley Mencap nearly a decade ago, motivated by a personal understanding of the importance of supporting disabled people. As a long-time resident of the borough, he saw joining the charity as a meaningful opportunity to give back to his local community.
With over 50 years of experience in the construction industry, Geoff has brought valuable expertise to the charity, particularly in relation to its property portfolio. During his time on the board, he has seen Bromley Mencap grow and evolve, and remains confident in the team’s vision and drive to deliver the high-quality services that people need and deserve.
Branwen Austyn-Jones
More information to follow.
Jonathan Pownall, Treasurer
Coming from a family background of volunteering across different sectors, he understands the impact this has on the local community. He was particularly impressed by the range and quality of services that Bromley Mencap provides to meet community needs.
Jonathan is married with two teenage sons and lives in Chislehurst.
He is also chairman of his local Residents’ Association and serves as treasurer and trustee for one of Bromley’s larger Scout Groups.
Claire Nelson
Claire works for the RAF Benevolent Fund in the grants team, where she provides veterans with grants for mobility equipment and aids for use at home. Additionally, she serves as a well-being champion at work, offering support to colleagues when needed.
As a parent of a young son with autism, Claire has first-hand experience with the challenges that families face. She has utilised Bromley Mencap’s short breaks service and attended events for children and parents during the school holidays. This personal connection to the charity has inspired Claire to bring her skills and expertise to Bromley Mencap’s board as a trustee.
During her time as a trustee, Claire hopes to help Bromley Mencap navigate its new strategy and ensure that all members and carers feel heard, seen, and understood. She is particularly excited to contribute her professional experiences from the voluntary sector, where she understands the importance of teamwork and making strategic decisions. In her role as a grants officer, Claire works closely with managers to ensure that funding is used effectively to create positive opportunities. She looks forward to applying these skills to help Bromley Mencap ensure resources are focused on making a real impact for disabled people and their families.
Reflecting on her personal experience with Bromley Mencap, Claire shares how the short breaks service made a significant difference in her life. The team provided excellent care for her son, giving her the opportunity to take a much-needed break. Claire was able to complete tasks while knowing her son was well looked after and happy. She has since recommended the service to friends in the borough who have children with learning disabilities.
With her combination of personal and professional experience, Claire is passionate about contributing to Bromley Mencap’s mission and supporting the charity’s work for families in the community.
John Christian
As a trustee, John is committed to helping Bromley Mencap modernize, enhance sustainability, and improve overall operations. He’s particularly excited to leverage his expertise in strategy and marketing to help amplify the charity’s brand and impact—a charity that has been central to his family’s life for over 15 years.
Outside of work and volunteering, John enjoys playing golf, padel, being a football coach and spending quality time with his children. Ready to take on this new challenge, John is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the local community through his work with Bromley Mencap.
Pat Heavey
Pat is Head of Operations at CBRE, where he manages a global contract with Bank of America. With over 30 years of experience in large organisations, including working with banks and pharmaceuticals, Pat has a strong background in operations and project management. He also oversees large budgets and staff, with a focus on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace.
Having worked closely with Bromley Mencap’s employment team for many years, Pat has been instrumental in helping disabled people secure paid jobs. Over the years, he’s created numerous successful opportunities for our candidates, and it’s something he’s incredibly passionate about. He is particularly proud of the four candidates currently employed, gaining independence and confidence, which has had a positive impact on their lives and their families.
Outside of his professional work, Pat is also a trustee for another charity, Wheels for Martin’s Friends, so he brings a deep understanding of the trustee role and its importance in supporting a charity’s vision. His expertise in operations and his problem-solving mindset, honed through his engineering background and career, are qualities he looks forward to using to help Bromley Mencap achieve its goals. Pat is particularly excited about gathering support from the business sector to help drive the charity’s initiatives forward.
In addition to his work with Bromley Mencap, Pat enjoys football, golf, and travel. Living near Cambridge, with a commute to London, he is also active in his local community and has been involved in many fundraising initiatives for charity. He describes himself as approachable, helpful, and fun – qualities he will bring to his new trustee role, along with his wealth of experience.
