Board of Trustees

Paul Church – Chair

Matthew Higgs is a Chartered Surveyor, Registered Valuer, and Partner at Michelmore Hughes. He manages a substantial portfolio of residential and commercial properties, primarily across the South West region. With over 25 years of experience living and working in the Totnes area, he has developed a deep connection to the community and a special interest in its property market.

Richard O’Connell is semi-retired and married with two grown up children, he originally studied mechanical engineering. In 1971 alongside his brother John, he co-founded Bandvulc Tyres which has since grown into a leading tyre management company. Today, the business employs 340 people, generates a turnover of £54 million, and oversees major tyre contracts across Europe.

Richard Mitchell is married with three sons and 5 grandchildren. A Totnes resident for 40 years, he is currently is the Chair of Bridgetown Alive! He holds an MSc in Healthcare, and his career spans the Royal Navy and the NHS, where he specialised in project management, personnel management and ensuring that a good dose of common sense prevailed.

Louise Pilkington has over 35 years of experience in HR, she has worked as a HR Manager in the glass manufacturing industry, a self-employed Learning and Development Consultant, and most recently as Global Talent Manager for the NSG Group. Her career also includes time working overseas in the Czech Republic. Since retiring and moving to Totnes in 2018, she has been actively involved in the community, volunteering with Totnes Gardens and serving as a trustee for Citizens Advice.

Jane Seymour is semi-retired and married with twin boys. She has lived in Totnes since 2005. Jane’s background is business and finance. She has wide experience of many businesses as a director of an Invoice Finance business in the South East. On moving to Totnes Jane and her husband took on the ownership of Bridgetown Stores, a local convenience store, which they ran for 10 years. Jane enjoys being actively involved in the town and is also a trustee of Totnes Caring.