John Holloway – Honorary Chairman

John, a native of Bristol, moved to Pittville in February 2021, after living in London for many years.  He is delighted to be a trustee as he loves the beauty and historic interest of the area that FoP was created to nurture.  His work background has been in Marketing and Fundraising for predominantly not-for-profit organisations in the UK and abroad.  He still works as a self-employed Management Consultant and Communications Skills Coach, experience he hopes will prove valuable to FoP.

Sarah de Buriatte – Honorary Treasurer

Sarah, Chris, various grown up children and Ting the Jack Russell, moved to Pittville Lawn in 2019 from Burford and spent a lovely couple of years using some unexpected time at home to explore Cheltenham.

Sarah comes with a background in Bookkeeping, HR and training. For the last 14 years she has looked after all aspects of accounts for a successful software development company based in Oxfordshire. At various times she has also co-run a local art class, ‘silver trained’ in technology skills and assisted in various community projects, including the development of a solar farm and the expansion of a very successful beer festival. The family really enjoy living in Cheltenham and feel especially grateful to have beautiful Pittville Park on the doorstep.

Jocelyn Potter – Honorary Secretary

Joc has been taking the minutes at FoP trustees meetings and FoP AGMs for the last seven years, but has recently moved even closer to the park – which, like many users, she regards as her garden – so is very happy to have more involvement in the work of the committee as the new secretary.

Before retirement, she was an ELT teacher and teacher trainer, then a self-employed writer and editor. Her experiences as a manager and freelancer mean that she is entirely comfortable with the discipline of administration – and with meeting deadlines.

Geoffrey Rowe – Trustee

Geoff and his wife Susan have lived off Pittville Circus Road for the last 19 years.

They walk in the park regularly and have enjoyed the improvements carried out by the Friends.

Geoff worked in theatre administration throughout his career, particularly in finance and marketing. He held senior positions at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield and Welsh National Opera, with periods as a consultant in arts administration. He moved to Cheltenham to take up the post of Chief Executive of the Everyman Theatre.

During retirement Geoff has worked at Oxfam and served as Chair of the Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury for five years.

He looks forward to becoming involved in future developments.

Andy Hopkins – Trustee

Originally from Swansea, Andy spent much of his working life in Oxfordshire, working in educational publishing as an author and series editor for Penguin and Pearson. He’s also a trained architectural stonemason and carves and makes sculpture in his spare time.

Barbara Leigh – Trustee & Green Space Volunteer Coordinator

As a long-time resident of Windsor Street, Barbara has enjoyed Pittville Park with her sons, granddaughter and a dog over many years, so it was natural to become a member and then to think about helping out with the Green Space Volunteers once she retired (from sales/on-line marketing/customer care etc).  Sitting next to Chris Archibald, the Coordinator of the group, at a Friends of Pittville Quiz Night in the Feathered Fish turned that thought into a reality and provided an opportunity to get to know the park in a whole different and wonderful way!  She has now taken over from Chris as the Green Space Volunteer Coordinator.

 Barbara has a passion for nature, gardening and community and her role within FoP and the Green Space Volunteers provides the perfect opportunity to put these passions to good use.

Louise Allerton – Trustee & Newsletter Editor

Louise grew up in Cheltenham overlooking Pittville Park. At 18, she moved to London to study and pursue a career in marketing and communications, in which she has over ten years experience. She has successfully developed and delivered B2B and B2C marketing strategies and multi-channel marketing campaigns to increase brand awareness, engagement, and lead generation.

Louise moved back to Cheltenham in 2022, and has since moved into her own home in Pittville. In 2024, she joined Friends of Pittville as a member where she has since supported in the development of their website and digital newsletter.

Nichola Finan – Trustee & Membership Coordinator

Nichola has enjoyed being a Pittville resident for almost thirty years and can’t imagine a better place to live. Following a career that has spanned marketing and advertising and then ten years with the NHS as a hospital ward clerk, she was looking for a way to give back to her local community using that experience.

As membership coordinator, she wants to work with the other trustees to increase the support for Friends of Pittville’s projects and events.

Vicki Kirkpatrick – Trustee

Vicki’s connection to Pittville is lifelong.  Although for most of her childhood she lived in Brockworth, she often spent time in Pittville Park, rowing on the lake in the summer and enjoying the play area and aviaries with her brother.  She moved away for university and worked for a time in Cheshire, before moving back to Cheltenham 20 years ago where Pittville Park has became a regular spot to walk her dog Roscoe, take photos and breathe.

Vicki works 4 days a week for Benefact Group, which is the charitable‑owned parent company behind Ecclesiastical Insurance, a financial services group whose profits are donated to good causes.  It is one of the UK’s largest corporate donors, reaching its target to give £250m to good causes last year.  She is a Change Business Analyst, translating business needs into clear, deliverable change by analysing processes, defining requirements, and ensuring people, systems, and operations are ready to adopt any new way of working.