Canterbury Festival | About Us | Current Administration

Board of Directors

Patron

The Most Rev'd & Rt Hon Rowan Williams Archbishop of Canterbury

President

Peter Williams MBE r

Chairman
David Pentin

Born in Canterbury and educated at Kent College and London University, David Pentin took over as Chairman of the Festival in April 2007, having been Treasurer for 9 years.

He is a Chartered Accountant and was the senior partner in Pentins, a Canterbury firm, for many years until his retirement.

A former Canterbury City Councillor for 16 years he has served on numerous committees including acting as Chairman of Finance, Leader of the Council and Lord Mayor. He has a life-long interest in voluntary and charitable organisations where he has served as Chairman and in other positions of responsibility.

David is married to Alicia and has three grown-up sons and a daughter. He has a keen personal interest in music, drama and opera and is committed to promoting high quality arts events to attract the widest possible range of participants in the City and throughout Kent.

Vice-Chairman
Prof. Michael Wright

DL, LLM, CCIPD, FRSA

Previously the Deputy Principal at Napier University, Professor Michael Wright is the Vice Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University.

Besides participation in many education, church and community organisations Professor Wright is a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, member of the Council of Church Colleges and Universities, a member of the Governing Body of Thanet College and a Commissioner at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School.

Outside education he lists golf and singing in the local choir amongst his interests. Michael Wright is married with three grown up children.

Treasurer
Hugh Summerfield

Hugh became a partner of WK Finn Kelcey in 1984 having trained with Ernst & Young. His background of family orientated activities combined with the technical expertise gained in London allows him to identify the key salient problems experienced by clients and to focus on their resolution.

In common with his farming background, Hugh is hard working and enthusiastic, extending his efforts to the local business community and charitable organisations such as Canterbury Festival.

He enjoys countryside sporting activities, particularly clay pigeon and pheasant shooting.

Company Secretary
Dr Kate Neales

Geraldine Allinson

Geraldine Allinson was born (and has spent most of her life) in Kent.

Following her education she worked in the newspaper industry outside Kent but came back to Kent in 1993 to join the Kent Messenger Group, her family’s media company.

Since 1993 Geraldine has held a number of positions within the company and in January 2006 she was promoted to Chairman. She believes that company values play a strong part in the success of the KM and is passionate about promoting a culture that fosters involvement and encouragement for people to reach their full potential.

Geraldine is currently Chairman of the UK Independent Publishers Forum and is a board member of the Newspaper Society (NS). She supports a number of charitable organisations and is a Trustee of the Kent Air Ambulance and the Canterbury Festival. She also sits on the Medway Renaissance Partnership Board.

Simon Backhouse

Educated in Kent, Simon has spent most of his professional life working in Kent. For the last 20 years Simon has lived in East Kent and has had the privilege of selling some of Kent’s finest houses. Simon B is the partner responsible for Estate agency at Strutt & Parker’s Canterbury office.

Simon is a keen amateur singer and has had the opportunity of singing under some of the world’s greatest conductors whilst singing with the London Symphony Chorus. More latterly Simon spends his spare time running the Really Promising Company, a community music/theatre group, which was formed as a result of taking part in the Canterbury Festival’s production of Promised Land.

In his role as a board member for the Canterbury Festival Simon has particular responsibilities for increasing sponsorship and funding. Simon is married with three grown up children.

Hugo Barton

Hugo was admitted as a solicitor in 1996 and joined Gardner Croft as head of the Commercial Department and partner in 2005.

Whilst Hugo has many years experience in commercial property law, particularly property development, commercial leases and business law, he specialises in transactions for dental practices and pharmacies.

A member of The Law Society, Kent Law Society, UK Environmental Law Association, Glyndebourne Festival Opera Society and a Freeman of the City of London, Hugo's other interests include coaching junior players at Canterbury Rugby Club where he is hoping to put something back into the sport which he enjoyed when he was younger and slimmer! An avid theatre goer Hugo has also sung in the Canterbury Operatic and Choral Societies.

Diane Gaskain

Chairman of the Friends Committe. More details coming soon.

Darren Henley

Darren Henley is Managing Director of Classic FM and Group Director of Brand Innovations for the station's parent company, Global Radio.

He is Chairman of the Music Manifesto Partnership and Advocacy Group. Supported by the DCSF and the DCMS, the Music Manifesto campaigns to provide more opportunities for young people to lead musical lives. He sits on the government's Music Programme Board and is a member of the steering group for In Harmony, a new DCSF project which tackles social deprivation through music education.

He is Vice-Chairman of the Canterbury Festival and a trustee of the music education charity, Future Talent. He also sits on the Media Board of the Prince's Foundation for Children & the Arts and the Business Development Board of the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Darren is the author of eighteen books about classical music and musicians, published by Hodder Education, Boosey & Hawkes, Naxos Audiobooks and Virgin Books.

Peter Harris

Peter Harris was founder and Chairman of International Art Consultants for 27 years.

He is currently Chairman of the Wapping Arts Trust and the Art & Work Awards.

He is interested in the visual and performing arts, has lived in Kent for over 30 years.

Roddy Loder-Symonds

Rody Loder-Symonds moved to Kent in 1968, having been educated at Radley College and Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. He joined Knight Frank & Rutley. In 1973 he became a partner of Strutt & Parker, responsible for the business in Kent, and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, retiring 1999. From 1970 he has ben partner in his family farming business in East Kent.

Rody Loder-Symonds has served as: Board member of East Kent Enterprise Agency 1990-2000; High Sheriff of Kent 2000-2001; Trustee of KCA (UK) 2000-2009; Trustee Huggens College Northfleet; Chairman Canterbury Farmers' Club 1982; Chairman Kent Branch of the Country Landowners and Business Association 1985 and currently President; Vice-president of Farmers Club, London; Vice-president Canterbury Festival; Governor Canterbury Christ Church University 1998 - 2010.

Prof. Keith Mander

Professor Keith Mander is Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Kent, where he has responsibility for Planning & Resources (including Estates and Human Resources), Health & Safety, and Arts Policy.

His academic background is in Computer Science which he taught at the universities of Liverpool and York before coming to Kent in 1999.

Brigadier John Meardon

After 34 years’ service with the Royal Marines he joined the Cathedral as the Receiver General, with responsibility for the administration and management of the Cathedral’s many, varied activities.

He represents the Dean & Chapter’s interests on the Festival Board.

Camilla Swire

Qualified biochemist, picture restorer and artist. Interests in countryside, design, visual arts, theatre and opera.

Loba Van der Bijl

Loba Van der Bijl read Economics at the University of London and later gained a MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics from LSE. After graduation, she worked briefly in industry, as a financial planner (GlaxoSmithKline), in the IT sector as a business planner (Honeywell), and later worked in management consultancy.

She started her teaching career in 1990, at the University of Kent, IMSAS, and the Kent Business School. She is a lecturer in Actuarial Science specialising in economics and finance.

She chairs the Management Steering Committee for Kent Further Mathematics Network, is an Affiliate Member of the Institute of Actuaries, and is on the examining board of the Institute of Actuaries.

She is a member of the local governing body of Ashford school. She has been supporting various local charities as a member of the fund-raising committees, and is a member of the Glyndebourne Festival Society.

Secretary to the Board
Cynthia Hawes