Meet the team

Exceptional staff supporting unique people.

Governance

We are governed by a Board of Trustees who together bring a wealth of knowledge and experience about the voluntary sector, company and charity law, the perspective of learning disabled people and their families and also fiscal and administrative oversight.

Our Board meet at least 5 times a year and is responsible for directing and monitoring our work so that we act properly and meet our objectives.  The breadth of experience represented within our board of trustees is invaluable in helping to ensure Learning Disability Network London (formerly the Westminster Society) continues to deliver its much needed services in very challenging times now and in the future.

 

Lynne Peacock, Chair

Lynne Peacock

Chair

Lynne has over 20 years’ board experience. Formerly the CEO of both Woolwich plc and National Australia Bank’s UK businesses, she currently serves on the boards of Royal Mail, Serco plc and TSB. Past directorships include Nationwide Building Society, Scottish Water, Standard Life Aberdeen and Jardine Lloyd Thompson.

Trustees
Adam Bharucha,

Adam Bharucha

Adam qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG having joined as a school leaver. After spending almost 10 years as an auditor of listed companies, he now works in-house, specialising in accounting and reporting.

Margaret Butler,

Margaret Butler

Margaret is a retired executive and non-executive director with multinational experience and a career spanning many decades in the financial services industry. Chair of a trustee board and bank board committees, eg Nomination, Corporate Governance, Risk, Finance and Remuneration.

Martin Haarmans,

Martin Haarmans

Honorary Treasurer

Martin is a Private Equity executive with extensive senior management experience. Martin has previously worked with Goldman Sachs (London) and qualified as a Chartered Accountant from KPMG (Australia).

Ian Jackson,

Ian Jackson

Ian's career has been primarily in financial services, initially in marketing and operational roles and latterly in senior risk and compliance positions. Voluntary experience includes school governor roles, local environmental groups, mentoring; also close experience with autism, ADHD and eating disorders.

Simon Jarrett,

Simon Jarrett

Simon Jarrett is a writer, historian and the editor of Community Living Magazine, which campaigns for equal citizenship for people with learning disabilities. He is also chair of Corali Dance Company.

David Luscombe,

David Luscombe

David has retired after 40 years supporting clients to deliver their new property aspirations, including major projects at Parliament. For seven years he was the chairman of a company which developed 25 new schools. For ten years he managed a FM business supporting PFI schools and hospitals.

Jeff Mendzil,

Jeff Mendzil

Jeff has worked at a senior level in financial services in product, marketing and supplier management. He has also been involved in community fundraising on a voluntary basis for two national charities.

Keith Rodwell,

Keith Rodwell

Keith, a qualified architect, was an Associate with PKS Architects for a number of years following which he worked in-house for Hilton across Europe, before continuing his career in London. Keith is currently the principal of REIM, a real estate investment house. Keith and his family have had a long association with LDN London.

Lindy Shufflebotham,

Lindy Shufflebotham

Lindy has over 30 years’ leadership experience in health and social care, including delivering services for people with learning disabilities and people with mental health issues. Most recently, she has served as a Health Commissioner, focusing on community based alternatives to hospital care and ATUs for people at risk. Lindy is currently Director of HR and Business Support for the specialist charity subsidiary of Newlon Housing Trust.

Emma Swain,

Emma Swain

Emma hails from New Zealand, having moved to London in 2016. Emma has spent almost 10 years as a lawyer, specialising in corporate M&A, commercial law, and tech and advertising law. She is passionate about helping support others, and is also a Board Director for Girls in Tech.

Michael Webber,

Michael Webber

Vice Chair

Michael is a qualified barrister and a solicitor and has many years’ experience working in both private practice and in-house in the financial services industry. He has chaired a large housing association and is a school governor at the primary school he attended. He currently chairs our Operations and Safeguarding committee.

Advisory Council: continuing to champion and support LDN London with a wealth of knowledge, insight and experience
Hilary Bach,

Hilary Bach

Former Trustee 2005-2019

Hilary has been connected with LDN London for over 40 years, as a fundraiser and member of our Adult Services Committee, and became a Trustee in 2005, having just completed an honours degree at the Open University. Hilary was instrumental in supporting our senior team in developing services for older people with learning disabilities, which has been a special interest of hers.

Myra Round,

Myra Round

Former Trustee 1993-2016

Myra has been a supporter of LDN London for over 40 years, as a campaigner, fundraiser and trustee. As Chair of the Board, Myra led the organisation through a period of expansion with the development of new models in service delivery and the establishment of a range of supported living opportunities for people with learning disabilities in Westminster. As a parent of a person with a learning disability, Myra has brought an invaluable family perspective to our planning and decision making.

Shirley Rodwell,

Shirley Rodwell

Former Trustee 1993-2020

Co-founder of LDN London in 1962, and retired marketing communications consultant, Shirley has spearheaded our marketing and fundraising initiatives for close to 60 years, securing much needed funds for vital services for both children and adults with learning disabilities. Shirley is also active in improving services for older adults in Barnet.

Virginia Villiers,

Virginia Villiers

Former Trustee 1993-2019

As one of our longest serving trustees, Virginia has in the past been Chair of the Board and a member of various committees including the Fundraising Committee. With Virginia’s leadership, we saw the expansion of our children and family services which has created a lasting legacy.

Ann Caro,

Ann Caro

Former Trustee 1995-2023

Ann has been involved with LDN London for almost 40 years when her son, who has Downs Syndrome, first used the toy library at Rainbow House. Later, Ann became a trustee and for many years chaired the Alice Gestetner Fund committee.

Cathy Slater,

Cathy Slater

Former Trustee 1993-2023

Cathy has three children, one with Downs Syndrome. She is a parent campaigner and activist, with expertise in disability rights and education legislation. She lived in India from age 7 to 12 and founded two Westminster support groups which helped many Arabic speaking parents of children with disabilities.