Ian JohnsonTrustee and Treasurer
Ian has a long-standing interest in Georgian and Victorian architecture. Having worked in France then London, in 2001 he set up a company providing card payment and mailing services as well as photo ID cards, retiring in 2016. He oversaw the 2005 restoration of the Heathcote mausoleum, Hampshire; has chaired the Mausolea and Monuments Trust; and served as treasurer of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain.
John WestTrustee
John had a career in Dorset’s public sector in accountancy, audit and business change, culminating in managing two whole-organisation business change programmes. He has also led community and environmental groups and served as a district councillor. John is the lead trustee of the West Bay Discovery Centre and is Chair of West Bay Community Forum. He is an active member of Transition Town Bridport and West Dorset Friends of the Earth.
Andrew CookTrustee
Andrew’s career began in recruitment, progressing to company director before setting up in business. He also volunteered as an independent police custody visitor, chairing the panel covering Watford and Hemel Hempstead for 11 years. After 33 years in recruitment, he was a business adviser for nine years before retiring, but still volunteers as a board member for Dorset Business Mentors, a director of a CIC, and a trustee for BADT.
Michael CollardTrustee
Michael is a practising barrister, mediator and adjudicator specialising in construction and property. For 20 years he has been the Head of 5 Pump Court Chambers, a common law set of 60 barristers covering civil, criminal and family work. He is on the governing body of the Honourable Society of Middle Temple, a West Dorset CAMRA committee member and a member of Bridport History Society, Golden Cap Association, BridLit, Bridport Millennium Green, Bridport Arts Centre and several conservation and preservation organisations. He plays bridge, swims and pursues interests in brewery history, architecture, real ale and as a shareholder/member of four community-owned pubs.
Ian BarkTrustee
Ian moved to Bridport in 2013 after working in education and running his own business as a teacher and a designer supporting and inspiring people to achieve their creative goals. He has served as a parish councillor for Bothenhampton and Walditch and was elected to Bridport Town Council in 2019, serving three terms as town mayor. Other roles include chair of the Greater Bridport Neighbourhood Plan Joint Committee, Bridport Community Orchard Group committee member, Bridport Food Bank trustee, Plastic Free Bridport ambassador, and a miller / trustee at the Town Mill, Lyme Regis. Ian is an award-winning allotment holder, a lover of the outdoors and a doting grandfather.
Marek WakarTrustee and Company Secretary
Marek had a career in business, helping large companies manage: strategic change; a business unit, and large-scale operations; business planning; and other management processes at FTSE 100 companies. He moved on to become a
director and company secretary of both a small consultancy and a software business. He is now company secretary of the Trust. He has supported charities involved in theatre, education and the preservation of historic parks for community use. He has been linked to the Bridport area for more than 40 years. His interests include gardening, travel, theatre, history, long-distance walking and socialising with friends.
director and company secretary of both a small consultancy and a software business. He is now company secretary of the Trust. He has supported charities involved in theatre, education and the preservation of historic parks for community use. He has been linked to the Bridport area for more than 40 years. His interests include gardening, travel, theatre, history, long-distance walking and socialising with friends.
David LeeTrustee
David spent his career in print media, beginning in local weeklies and finishing on a national Sunday newspaper. In between he worked on regional dailies before setting up his own business with clients in national magazines and newspapers. He has been a member of the Guild of Editors and president of the Young Newspapermen’s Association. In his native West Yorkshire, David was involved in a community environmental project, the Round Table and a twinning association. Since moving to Loders he has been a founding member, and later chair of a community sports and arts charity for young people. He is an enthusiastic gig rower and a director of Bridport Gig Rowing Club.