Our Management Committee

Our Management Committee is involved in delivering the Society’s business plan. The Committee agree an annual action plan. Committee members consist of Chairmen of a sub-committee delivering a particular aspect of the organisation’s activity and others who manage the Society. All our Management Committee members are unpaid volunteers.

Our Management Team

Gordon Jackson – Chairman

Having lived in Surrey for over 60 years, I have grown up with a passion for the Surrey Hills. I retired as a partner (specialising in Corporate Law) of an international City of London law firm in 2010. Shortly after that, I was elected as a Guildford Borough Councillor and I served on a wide variety of committees on the Council before retiring in March 2021. In addition to my love of the countryside, I have a particular interest in the arts and heritage and a fascination with the innovative research and businesses that are a crucial part of our local economy. I believe it is essential that we embrace forward thinking practices and technologies to sustainably manage the environment in which we live and the wildlife with which we share it.
I was Mayor of Guildford in 2016/17 and was delighted to nominate the Surrey Hills Trust as one of my chosen charities. During my mayoral year, my wife, Sue, and I particularly enjoyed meeting the many volunteers, who do so much in so many different ways to support our local communities and the surrounding countryside.
In our free time, Sue and I love to travel, and I am a keen photographer. We walk a lot both on holiday and at home and are frequent concert and theatregoers. I also play both golf and tennis extremely badly!

Christine Howard - President

I am a previous Chairman of the Surrey Hills Society, having served on the Committee since the charity’s inception. I have been a Parish Councillor for 27 years and am Chairman of the Surrey Association of Local Councils. I served as a Borough Councillor for Waverley Borough Council for four years where I was delegated to represent the Borough at the Surrey Hills Partnership Board. This is where I first learnt about this special protected landscape, met Neil Maltby, and became a lifelong supporter and protector of this area. The creation of the Surrey Hills Society was a new way for me and many other residents of the area to become more involved with the environment in which we all live. I was re-elected as a Borough Council in May 2019.
I am the Chairman of Visit Surrey CIC, the County’s official tourist board and a Trustee for Surrey Wildlife Trust. I also sit on Surrey Hills Arts and the Surrey Hills Trust Fund grant panel.
I had a commercial background in the computer industry, but after the birth of my two daughters became involved in local government. This was originally as a volunteer, then a councillor and finally as an officer working for Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils. In my free time I enjoy gardening, walking, environmental issues and performing in Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas.

Ken Bare - Vice President

I joined the Surrey Hills Society in November 2008 shortly after retiring in my mid-fifties. I was invited to join the Management Team and then became a Trustee during which time I developed the public facing activities of the Society. When my Trustee term expired in 2018, I and the then Chairman, Chris Howard, were invited to become Vice-Presidents. In that role I have stood back from day to day management activities to focus on being the editor of our newsletters and giving numerous talks to outside clubs and organisations to promote the Surrey Hills.
My other core activity is involvement in specific projects interacting with other groups. These include Rail2Ramble projects with the AONB Team and Community Rail Partnerships plus being a core member of the Guildford Walkfest team, since the Society is a sponsor and the organiser of many of the walks.
Prior to my retirement, I had two careers with blue chip companies; firstly as a scientist and latterly as a Health, Safety and Environment adviser/manager. My leisure hours included long walks in the Surrey Hills to clear the mind and enjoy the scenery. This pastime continues with the added benefit that the photographs which I take can now find a use in Society publications, presentations and other promotional items.

Stella Cantor - Trustee and Membership Secretary

I was born in Dorking and have lived here in the Surrey Hills for most of my life, so I was keen to join the organisation set up to help protect and promote this beautiful area. I had recently ‘retired’ early and therefore had some spare time to offer.

I first joined the events committee and took on organising one or two events. I was then invited to attend the management committee and was present when the membership secretary announced his wish to stand down. The last job of my working life was as an IT teacher and hence I had some pertinent skills which meant that before I knew what had happened, I had taken over the membership administration of the Society.

My other voluntary job is with Girlguiding and I am active as a commissioner and leader. I consider myself fortunate to be able to offer time to two organisations in whose work I truly believe and to join with other committed volunteers in doing so.

Sall Baring – Events Committee Chair

I moved to Guildford in 1987 having previously lived in Burnley, Lancashire. When we had our second daughter we moved to Godalming and I have lived in the same house overlooking the River Wey for 24 years.

My introduction to the Society came in February 2014 when I was singing in the Godalming Operatic Production of Princess Ida with our then chairman, Chris Howard, at the Leatherhead Theatre. Chris needed a company to take over as sponsor of the Society’s newsletter and as I worked with my husband Stan at our firm of Solicitors, Stan Baring Solicitor, I was happy for us to take on that role. In the same year Chris co-opted me onto the events committee and then at the end of January 2020 I was “promoted” to the chairman of the committee taking over from Chris’s husband Jeff Holliday.

Away from the Society and work, I enjoy singing, entertaining, walking, dining out, theatre (especially musical theatre) and meeting up with friends. Our beautiful daughters are now in their twenties, one living in Guildford and one in Toronto, Canada. I very much enjoy organising and attending events which the Society arranges and continue to learn more about the beautiful area in which I live.

Diane Cooper – Marketing and Comms Team

I first became involved at the Society’s inaugural meeting at Denbies when many people offered support in various ways to help get the Society off the ground. I started to attend the PR Sub Committee; a role I still do and have now become Editor of the member newsletter three times a year.

My ‘day job’ is fairly well linked to the aims of the Society as I work for Surrey County Council’s Countryside service as a PR & Promotions Officer. The Surrey Hills Partnership is part of this service.

My background before this was less connected to countryside matters but nevertheless in a PR role. I lived for many years in my younger days in the far east in Hong Kong and then Singapore and in that time worked in hotel PR. The years in between were the ‘child rearing’ years!

I’ve always had an interest in the environment and its conservation and one of my main hobbies is to get out there and enjoy our countryside and discover the delights of living in the Surrey Hills.

Peter Salisbury – Trustee and Administrator

Having always lived in Reigate or Redhill I have a great interest in the Surrey Hills. My wife and I joined the Society soon after it was formed and are Founder Members.

Attending events and getting to know members were my first motivation. The great variety of events, walks, visits to houses and gardens (often opened especially for us) and of course ever popular food and drink gatherings makes it fascinating to be part of.

After a few years, I felt the urge to do more and in my present role as the Society’s Administrator, I enjoy helping manage the Society. I take the Minutes of the Trustees, Management and Events committees’ meetings and send round the monthly emails telling members about forthcoming events. I also help producing the confirmations for our events and have recently accepted to manage the Society’s shop. My role evolves according to my wishes and availability.

Away from the Society, I have several other interests to keep me busy, including being a National Trust volunteer and a Bluebell Railway volunteer. I have also been a member of the Scout Association for almost 50 years and have held a variety of leadership and administrative roles.

Christa Emmett - Project and Volunteer Coordinator

I am the new Project and Volunteer Coordinator and am really excited to join the Surrey Hills family. My background is in ecology and conservation, however, I also have a fair bit of experience working with young people. Having grown up in the Surrey Hills, I am passionate about protecting this beautiful area and what it provides for both people and nature. I hope I can use my experience to bring together volunteers, landowners, parish councils and other community groups to protect and enhance our local biodiversity. There are a range of exciting projects in the pipeline and I am eager to meet the large voluntary community of the Surrey Hills, to make these projects come to life.

In my free time, I attend ballet classes and love going to the theatre. I also enjoy walking our dog and meeting up with friends. Being out in the countryside is something I’ve always enjoyed, and I feel incredibly lucky that it is now part of my job.

Lesley Crofts – Coordinator

I am the Coordinator of the Society. My role is to ensure that our Trustees, Management Committee and all the other Committees work together smoothly. I keep them informed about each others’ work and progress. I provide web support and am responsible for keeping the website up to date with events and news . I support our Chairman in many ways; meeting minutes, reports, development strategies etc. Also if you call our mobile phone, I will be there to help you as best I can.

I was born in Farnham and have been lucky enough to live in the Cayman Islands, London and Hampshire but in 2000 I moved back to the beautiful market town of Farnham.

With my husband we enjoy walking, cycling and both are very keen, competitive petanque players. We have both represented our southern region in British competitions and latterly I have competed in a couple of National Competitions - it's early days but watch this space!

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