Trustees

Barbara joined the Sunbury Embroidery Gallery in 2009 as Gallery Administrator, managing key operations, public programmes, and exhibitions, retiring in 2023, and remaining involved as a trustee.

She made an early career change from a shipping freight forwarding manager in the 1960s and 70s, to pursue other ambitions, opening an antique shop in the 1970s. A long-term passion and involvement in the arts, past, present, and future, set in motion a decade long role as Fairs organiser at the Landmark Arts Centre, where she played a pivotal role in advancing Art, Craft and Textile fairs as a key feature in the yearly calendar of events.

Barbara is married with three grown up daughters, and enjoys an active lifestyle, including pilates, theatre, ballet, and antiques. She continues to foster connections and attend art events nationwide.

Living in Weybridge, aged 68, he spent over 40 years in senior management within the engineering and manufacturing industries in the UK, Europe, and Australia. Now retired, he enjoys tennis and golf, and participates in voluntary roles as chairman of the Employment Advisory Board at HMP Feltham and chairman of the London Employment Council.

Diana has spent over 40 years working in education. She has been a classroom teacher, deputy headteacher, and a leader of a team of over 30 professionals who were developing teaching and learning in the schools in Kensington and Chelsea. She has also been a governor in a large academy in Chelsea. More recently, as an education consultant, she has supported headteachers and senior leaders, both in the UK and in Geneva.

Now retired, Diana looks forward to using her experience to help make a difference in the local community. She has been a regular visitor to Sunbury Walled Garden for many years and is delighted to now be a trustee to the gallery.

Bringing two decades of expertise in luxury arts, lifestyle and hospitality, Gina joined the board of trustees in 2026. Having started her career at Christie's, she has spent the last 15 years as a creative director working with global names, including the Tate, the Royal Collection Trust, and Marriott International. Gina is passionate about applying her strategic marketing and branding positioning skills to guide the gallery's next chapter of evolution.

Jenny has been a trustee of the Sunbury Embroidery Gallery since 2025 and is supporting its capital fundraising for the planned extension. An experienced arts and culture fundraising consultant with nearly 20 years’ expertise, she brings strategic insight and a passion for helping creative organisations thrive, ensuring the gallery’s long‑term resilience and growth.  

After studying at London College of Fashion, she worked at Vidal Sassoon in Manchester, Munich and London. In 1989, she changed career to millinery, running a small business in Chester before returning to London to work for Philip Treacy making hats for his fashion shows in London, Paris, Japan and Milan.

Independently, Katie also made period hats for National Theatre and BBC productions. After her children left school, she trained in yin & yang yoga and now practices and teaches yin yoga.

Matt brings over 17 years experience in strategy, digital marketing and retention having worked at Samsung, TSB and The Economist.  Most recently, he joined the DMA as Director of members engagement marketing and CRM. He will bring all his expertise at the Sunbury Embroidery Gallery and Café to help shape its future. Matt is also mentoring teenagers at Sunbury Manor School through the MCR pathway program.

An alumnus of Hertford College, Oxford, he was in senior management at EMI Records during the ‘70s, working with the likes of Queen, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd and Kate Bush, and has spent a lifetime in the music and intellectual property marketing and licensing businesses.

Paul has been involved in the Sunbury community for 50 years as Chairman and then president of the Lower Sunbury Residents Association, Chairman of Sunbury Sports Association, committee member of Friends of Sunbury Park, Governor at Beauclerc and Chennestone Schools and organiser of the Music Nights at Sunbury Cricket Club, as well as being a founding Trustee of the Sunbury Embroidery. On the sporting front, played for Sunbury Cricket Club and for many years was an oarsman in a competitive veterans crew at Molesey Boat Club.

An architect and designer working in the UK and internationally, Robert has been closely involved with the Sunbury Embroidery since 1996, serving as a founding trustee and chairman from 2006 to 2025. He has played a central role in shaping the project’s identity, leading its brand development and, in collaboration with David Brown, designing the award-winning Embroidery Gallery, which opened in 2006. More recently, he has designed the proposed enlargement of the Gallery, for which fundraising is currently underway.

Alongside his professional work, Robert is a writer and photographer with a passion for travel, bringing a broad cultural perspective to his creative practice.

Having studied law in London and New York, Simon practised as a barrister, specialising in Clinical Negligence claims. In 1991 he and Catherine moved to Sunbury, where they've remained along with a house full of children and dogs. In the summer months, he spends as many hours as he can on the river.