The trust is managed by six trustees, three from Ely and three from Soham. They meet six times a year to oversee the various aspects of the charity and to preserve the legacy of Bishop Benjamin Laney. Their responsibilities include managing the charity’s assets and ensuring its profits are invested effectively. This ensures support for all eligible students and apprentices applying for grants in the years to come. The trust complies with the Charities Commission regulatory requirements and meets regularly to review grant application submissions.
Richard Bamford
Richard was born in Ely and qualified as a solicitor in London in 1964. He joined Col Beckett, a former trustee of the charity at Archer & Archer in Ely, in 1966. Richard was President of Cambridgeshire and District Law Society 1995-6 and Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal 1984/2013. He served as churchwarden at St Mary’s, Ely and was on the City Council for 20 years. Richard was mayor in 1989 and was granted the Freedom of The City in 2009. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the County in 1987 and later, High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, in 1998.
Geoff Fisher
Geoff’s experience is in education. He was Headteacher in Soham for 24 years before he retired. First, at Soham CE Junior School and then at St Andrew's CE Primary School. Geoff is currently on the Advisory Body for the Shade Primary School in Soham. He is one of the three trustees representing Soham and have been for several years.
Brian Ashton
Brian’s career was as a director of a small group of engineering companies. Over the last 35 years he has taken various roles in public service: serving twice as Mayor of Ely, a former leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, Vice-Chairman of Lifespan Healthcare NHS Trust and Chairman of the Primary Care Group for East Cambs. His most recent role was as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. He joined the Governing Board of the Clinical Commissioning Group for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough taking a lead on Quality and Performance. With his wife Dene, who was an active member of the British Red Cross for almost 50 years, they have always worked in and supported many local charities and community organisations. They have three children and five grandchildren.
Nicholas Mumford
Nicholas is a retired General Practitioner. After serving as a Medical Officer in the Royal Air Force at the RAF Hospital in Ely, he joined Dr Hine and Partners in Ely in 1975. He has served on the Diocesan Board for Social Responsibility in the past. Now living in Coveney, he has been on the St Peter ad Vincula PCC and served as Church Warden from 2000 -2018. He has been a member of The Rotary Club of Ely for 32 years.
Hamish Ross
Hamish has lived in Soham for the last 30 years. He has worked locally in the fresh produce industry for the last 35 years. He is a District Councillor, a Soham Town Councillor and also an Honorary Commander with the US Air Force based at RAF Mildenhall. He served as a magistrate and Bench Chairman for East Cambridgeshire for 17 years.
Iain Sutherland
Iain was born and educated in Scotland attending Dollar Academy and Aberdeen University. He moved to Soham in 1990 with his wife and three daughters.
Following a successful career in the Food Industry as an Operations Director, which culminated with global responsibilities working for H J Heinz, he has now retired. Iain remains active in supporting community activities as a member of Soham Rotary Club and accepted the role of a Bishop Laney Trustee in 2016.
Following a successful career in the Food Industry as an Operations Director, which culminated with global responsibilities working for H J Heinz, he has now retired. Iain remains active in supporting community activities as a member of Soham Rotary Club and accepted the role of a Bishop Laney Trustee in 2016.
Richard Tyler (charity secretary)
Richard qualified as a chartered accountant in 1968 with Price Waterhouse in Leicester. He moved with company to Mandeville in Jamaica in 1971, where he spent seven years managing the office. Richard met and married his wife, who taught English at the local boarding school. In 1978, they returned to England and Richard joined Whiting and Partners, becoming a partner at the Ely branch in 1981. Richard has four children and eight grandchildren and is retired, though still doing accountancy work when needed.