our trustees
the shandford trust

Chris Davis
​Chris had a career in banking and finance in various parts of the world. He is involved with a number of other local community benefit charities.

Louise Jacques
Louise is a Professor of Geriatric Medicine at Exeter University and Honorary Consultant Geriatrician at the Royal Devon University Hospitals and Devon Partnership NHS Foundation Trusts. She has a particular interest in dementia research and also has expertise in the needs of older people.

Marc Jobson
Marc is Head of Seachange, another charity that The Shandford Trust is working closely with to provide support to our beneficiaries. He will also oversee the facilities management of our Almshouses.

Penelope Leather 
Penelope trained as a solicitor. She was a trustee and chairman of a charity, established during the miners' strike, to assist those in need. Also, a school governor, parish councillor, and worked at the local Citizens’ Advice Bureau. She gives much needed legal advice to our charity, especially in its early formative days.

Dr Richard Mejzner 
Richard is a local GP and has worked in Budleigh Salterton for many years. He has always been interested in improving facilities and care for the elderly.

Lorraine Ralph
Lorraine had a career in the pensions industry before dedicating much of her time to voluntary service.  In recent years, she has held a number of Trustee roles focused on supporting local people in need.  She has been involved with the local football club, running club, youth club, her local school’s PTA and, during Covid, the Budleigh Covid Support Group. Collectively, her cumulative service spans exceeds 60 years, and in 2023 she was honoured with a Coronation Award for Voluntary Work.

Jo Vanstone
Jo has lived and worked in East Devon all her life. Since 2004 she was Budleigh Salterton Town Clerk until 2025. She has a superior knowledge of the town, the community and its people. She was Treasurer of Budleigh Salterton Garden Club, part of the residents’ team who reintroduced the Town Carnival and is Secretary of the local branch of the Royal British Legion.

Emma Le Poidevin Trust Administrator  
Emma is the Administrator of The Shandford Trust and also the Grants Administrator at the Norman Family Trust, where she has worked since 2011.  Prior to that, she held a similar role at the City Bridge Trust in London.