The Trustees and Committee members of the Hadlow Down Community Centre (HDCC) are an accomplished team of volunteers united by a shared commitment to delivering a modern, accessible, and sustainable new Village Hall and Sports Pavilion for the community. Collectively, we bring significant experience in business management, leadership, strategic planning, project delivery, property and asset management, IT, engineering, finance, retail operations, creative industries, fundraising, and charity governance.
Our combined expertise ensures that HDCC is run with strong oversight, sound decision-making, robust governance, and a deep understanding of community needs. The diversity of our professional backgrounds enables us to approach the project from multiple perspectives and to navigate the requirements of the Charity Commission, Local Authorities, planning bodies, and funders with confidence and accountability.
BOB LAKE – Chair and Trustee
Bob offers exceptional leadership experience drawn from a career spanning education, sport management, and local government. Since becoming Chair in 2010, he has played a central role in developing and steering the HDCC project, ensuring effective governance and long-term strategic planning.
A highly experienced fundraiser, Bob has successfully secured resources for HDCC and multiple other community initiatives, including the Hadlow Down Playing Field and support for Uckfield Rugby Club’s winning Wealden District Council bid. His longstanding involvement across village organisations strengthens local partnerships and ensures HDCC maintains a strong community mandate.
Bob is driven by a commitment to ensuring Hadlow Down has a modern, future-proof facility capable of supporting the needs of all residents for generations to come.
FIONA SHAFER – Trustee and Chair of Hadlow Down Playing Field Association
Fi brings over 30 years of high-level experience as a Business Strategist, Leadership Coach, and Non-Executive Director. As Managing Director of MDHUB, she supports business leaders nationwide with growth, sustainability, and organisational development. Her professional approach blends creativity with practical problem-solving, making her highly effective in complex governance and board environments.
Fi has served in several charitable leadership roles, including 19 years as Director of a Nepalese NGO supporting clean water and early education. Her international NGO experience strengthens HDCC’s capacity around risk management, governance, safeguarding, and cross-sector collaboration.
As Chair of the Hadlow Down Playing Field Charity, she plays a pivotal role in aligning both charities during the phased development of the new hall and future sports pavilion.
MANDY CHAPMAN – Trustee and Business Plan & Strategy Lead
Mandy is a seasoned management consultant with 30 years’ experience designing and delivering major change programmes across public and private sectors. Formerly Business Planning Director at Tesco, she brings exceptional skills in strategic analysis, organisational planning, evidence-based decision-making, and implementation planning.
At HDCC, Mandy leads development of the business plan and project strategy for the new facility, ensuring decisions are grounded in data, financial realism, and long-term sustainability. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director for NHS Sussex and as a trustee with Engage Wealden, aligning HDCC’s plans with the needs of older residents who will benefit from improved facilities.
Her rigorous approach and project leadership acumen are critical to HDCC’s professional and accountable delivery.
SARAH PRALL – Trustee, Fundraising, Marketing & Communication
With 25 years of professional experience in retail management, brand strategy, and creative direction, Sarah brings strong skills in communications, stakeholder engagement, project coordination, and design-led problem solving. She has overseen national store opening programmes, spatial planning, brand development, and substantial budgets.
At HDCC, Sarah leads marketing, digital communication, and public engagement, ensuring transparency and community involvement through the website, social media, and volunteer recruitment campaigns. Her experience chairing the Hadlow Down Village Fayre further strengthens her community networks and event leadership skills.
She plays a key role in shaping HDCC’s public narrative and fundraising materials, ensuring the project is clearly communicated to residents, partners, and funders.
JOHN THOMPSON – Treasurer and Trustee
John’s background in electrical and electronics engineering brings analytical rigour and financial discipline to the HDCC project. As Treasurer, he oversees budget management, financial planning, reporting, and risk assessment, ensuring the project remains viable and accountable.
Having been involved in village life since the 1990s and a committee member since the project’s inception, John brings invaluable continuity and historical perspective. As a Trustee of the Hadlow Down Playing Field Association, he helps coordinate efforts between both charities, supporting effective land and resource management.
John’s deep community commitment and technical expertise ensure responsible stewardship of funds throughout the development.
JANET TOURELL – Trustee and Secretary
With a distinguished background in theatre, direction, and arts leadership, Janet offers strong organisational, administrative, and creative skills. Having run her own children’s theatre company, she understands how cultural, social, and educational activities can strengthen rural communities.
As former Chair of the Hadlow Down Village Hall Committee for eleven years, Janet brings essential experience in community facility management, governance, volunteer leadership, and stakeholder engagement. Her insight into how residents use shared spaces informs the design and planning of the new Centre.
Janet is passionate about ensuring the new building becomes a vibrant, inclusive hub that supports social connection, creativity, and community wellbeing.
ROBERT PRALL – Trustee & Build Sub-Committee
Robert brings extensive experience in property management, surveying, and estates strategy, gained from a long professional career managing commercial, residential, and public-sector assets. His consultancy work covers compliance, building condition assessments, and long-term asset planning.
His role as Asset Manager for The Salvation Army adds significant strength to HDCC’s governance credibility. There, he managed a large and diverse charitable property portfolio, enhancing his skills in risk management, capital investment planning, regulatory compliance, and ensuring best-value outcomes for a major UK charity.
At HDCC, Robert supports the Build Sub-Committee with technical guidance, procurement input, oversight of standards and regulations, and long-term planning for a sustainable, efficient facility.
GLENYS LAKE – Committee Member and Local Fundraising Lead
Glenys brings a strong background in education, training, and regional development. Her work with Lancaster University’s regional programmes involved supporting regeneration and delivering tailored training across sectors such as construction, hospitality, manufacturing, the Environment Agency, and the NHS.
Her expertise in designing workforce development programmes, stakeholder engagement, and facilitating organisational growth strengthens HDCC’s capacity to plan community-based services and partnerships.
A Hadlow Down resident for 33 years, Glenys leads the energetic Local Fundraising Group, delivering high-impact village events that raise vital revenue and build community support. Her passion for the project is rooted in decades of involvement in village activities, including the Drama and Variety Club.
PETER STREVENS – Committee Member and Strategic Planning
Peter brings extensive experience in managing complex IT transformations, with strong skills in project management, systems development, process optimisation, and stakeholder communication. His background ensures rigorous planning, risk assessment, and delivery oversight—essential for a build of this scale.
He plays a key role in shaping the Centre’s long-term operational planning and ensuring systems and processes are fit for purpose. His involvement with the Hadlow Down Village Fayre further demonstrates his commitment to strengthening community life.
Peter’s blend of technical expertise and community stewardship supports HDCC’s goal of creating an efficient, well-managed, future-ready facility.