How is Broadnook Community Trust Governed?
Board of Trustees
Broadnook Community Trust will be run by a board of up to ten dedicated Trustees, representing a cross section of stakeholders with a strong mix of skills, attributes and experience who will be fully accountable and transparent. All Trustees will operate in the best interests of the Trust.
The Trust was started with four seats occupied by the Developers, Cora and Davidsons. The Board will continue to grow through the addition of residents, local voluntary/ community/ faith organisations, local authority and parish council representatives, and local businesses. The flow chart below outlines the governance structure of the Trust. Once Broadnook Garden Village has been completed, the developers will depart from the Trust board.
Executive Team
Mark and Iona have been appointed to set up the Trust. Both have many years’ experience working with communities – setting up community trusts, community development and resident communications. They are on a short-term contract and their role will reduce as the Trust Board develops.
Mark Patchett
Iona O' Carroll
Trustee Bio
Bert Broadhead
Bert is a director of Cora, an award-winning residential developer in the East Midlands with a focus on design, quality and place. Bert is also a director of Barwood Land, Zen Living and Alterx with experience in land development, affordable housing and real estate investment management. Bert believes in aligning the interests of all stakeholders to create long-term solutions.
Developer Trustee
James Smith
James is Managing Director of Thoresby Properties Limited, bringing over two decades of experience in real estate development and management across the UK and mainland Europe. He works with investors, developers and property owners to guide projects from acquisition and planning through to delivery and long-term asset management. James combines his industry knowledge with a practical, collaborative approach, helping to create well-designed, sustainable places that add lasting value to communities. As a Trustee, he represents Cora Homes on the BCT Board, supporting the shared vision for a thriving and connected neighbourhood.
Developer Trustee
Christian O’Connell
Christian is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a Director of Davidsons Developments, a five star heritage housebuilder and strategic land promoter which operates under the trading name Davidsons Homes. Since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, Christian has held senior positions with house building and contracting businesses and has a passion for the sector and the delivery of homes and buildings to customers. Outside of work, Christian is married with 3 children and lives in a small village in Lincolnshire. Christian enjoys long walks with his family and pet dog and whenever possible enjoys travelling.
Developer Trustee
Richard Stevenson
Richard has nearly 30 years’ experience in land acquisition and planning having graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 1996. He has worked for Plc Developers; David Wilson Homes, Redrow and Bellway for a total of 23 years covering both the East and West Midlands. In 2019 Richard returned to join Davidsons where he oversees all land transactions for the East Midlands Division and manages the large Strategic Land portfolio for the Business.
Vicar Rob Gladstone
Rob is the local Vicar at Rothley Parish Church and has been the area Dean for nearly 20 years. Rob is a local resident of Rothley and a school Governor at Rothley Primary School where he was the Chair for 10 years, overseeing the move to a new site, the doubling of the size of the school and the change to an Academy. Rob has been involved from a very early stage over the vision for Broadnook Garden Village and is actively engaged in ensuring the development benefits those who live there and the local surrounding community.
Cllr. Mark Charles
Cllr. Mark Charles is a councillor for the Rothley Brook ward in Charnwood Borough Council and is the Shadow Member for Business Support, Regulatory and Community Safety Partnerships. Outside of the council Mark is appointed to the Charnwood Road Safety Committee and Leicestershire and Northants Rail Action Committee, as well as his role as Chair for Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council