ABOUT US
PATRON
The Rt Hon Theresa May MP
Maidenhead's MP for 25 years, a former Home Secretary and Prime Minister, Mrs May has been a keen supporter of the waterway plans from inception, recognising them as central to the town's ongoing regeneration. She closely follows progress and regularly visits, as well as helping to celebrate each major stage as it is completed.
FOUNDING PATRON
Sir Nicholas Winton MBE
Sir Nicholas, who sadly passed away in 2015 at the amazing age of 106 years old, was a long term resident of Maidenhead and joined the group at its formation. He was best known publicly for his war time exploits, when he was responsible for organising the rescue of Jewish Czech children from Nazi death camps prior to the outbreak of World War II.
TRUSTEES
Chair: Richard Davenport
Chartered Management Accountant (Fellow), worked in various industries (automotive, steel and telecoms) and a former engineer.
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Secretary: Jon Reekie
Former Bank Manager and Business Manager at a Slough Grammar School, now involved in school Governance in a number of Slough schools.
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Treasurer: Mark Loader
Business analyst, Chartered Management Accountant, former IT SAP consultant.
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Trustee: Dominic Hurst
Film producer, media consultant. Former senior producer, BBC News.
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Trustee: Ian Caird
Retired Chartered Building Engineer and Surveyor, Project Manager and experienced land manager - Channel Clearance and Projects Coordinator.
TECHNICAL SUB-GROUP
John Morgan (lead)
Retired Civil Engineer, previously involved in flood plain work
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Peter Knott
Retired Architect with experience in design and construction of buildings in commercial, retail and domestic sectors
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Dave Allen
Retired Chartered Engineer with experience in development of communication systems, machine control systems and high volume manufacturing systems, later working with the DTI
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John Hudson
Retired Civil Engineer, Fellow of both the Institution of Civil Engineers, and Energy Institute. Experienced in Project Management, Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the offshore oil and gas, and renewable energy industries.
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Chris Mitchell
Experienced Waterway Engineer and project manager, with 24 years experience at British Waterways including 6 years as Southern Regional Director
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Ian Rose
Civic Society Representative and wildlife champion, experienced in water resources, flow monitoring, etc
SPECIAL ADVISERS
Professor Ed Gallagher, CBE
Former Chief Executive of the Environment Agency and also the National River Authority, Ed brings vast experience to the group and provides national level strategic advice. Professor Gallagher is a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water Environment Management and received his CBE for services to the environment in 2001.
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Paul Wagstaffe, MBE
Vice President of the Inland Waterways Association, Chairman of the Inland Navigation Committee for the Royal Yachting Association, a Member of Thames Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee of the Environment Agency and Secretary of the Thames Boating Traders Association.
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Dan Evans
Adviser on Environmental Management of the waterway. Dan holds a Biology degree and an MSc in Aquatic Resources Management, is an Associate member of the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment and a qualified CEEQUAL Assessor. He presently works for the Taylor Woodrow division of the Vinci Group, as Environment Manager for the Balfour Beatty-Vinci joint venture that is delivering the eastern M4 Smart Motorway project.
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Alasdair Pettigrew
Chartered Engineer and former Managing Director at Plexus Planning Ltd; previously a Senior Software Sales Manager at IBM
OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS/ADVISORS
Barry Hatch
Former Chartered Civil Engineer with experience on marine works tunnels and motorway projects, before becoming MD for a family building business
Richard Curry
Project Cost/Budget Adviser and Independent Examiner, a Chartered Management Accountant
MAJOR SPONSORS
Summerleaze Limited - our founding sponsor and a major source of expertise on the geology of the area. Summerleaze is a family-owned company based in the Thames Valley. Its operations include gravel extraction, waste disposal and renewable energy. Summerleaze funded the initial technical feasibility work undertaken by consultants Black & Veatch, who helped to develop the technical design of the waterways and associated works.
The Louis Baylis Charitable Trust (Maidenhead Advertiser) Owner of the Maidenhead Advertiser and a valued donor to many local community groups. We are grateful for the Trust's commitment to the project and for its ongoing support of our operations. You can read about the Trust and its work at http://www.whytheadvertiserisspecial.co.uk
The Shanly Foundation Charitable arm of the major regional house builder, which helped to fund the Environmental Impact Assessment work undertaken for MW by Golder Associates as part of the planning application.
Special thanks to Frimley Health and Care who awarded the charity a £5,000 grant in 2023 in recognition of the health and wellness benefits of the project.
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Further Sponsors Needed:
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If you share our vision for restoring the waterways in Maidenhead town centre, into a major public amenity where people and wildlife can happily co-exist, please consider becoming a sponsor or member to help progress further stages of the project. We would appreciate support of any kind. Please contact us at contact@maidenheadwaterways.org or by post at our registered office (see below) marked: For attention of Richard Davenport, Chair of the Trustees.
