Trustees

Gail Millar is the founder and the Chief Executive of Befriended. Gail was previously the Older Person’s Specialist for the Salvation Army and prior to this the pioneer of Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre where she worked as the General Manager for 20 years. Gail is passionate about “making a difference”, especially to the lives of older people. Gail is married to Stuart and they have five children and nine grandchildren. Gail and Stuart attend Holy Trinity Church and live in the village of Hurstpierpoint.

George Baxter (Chairman) was born and bred in Sussex in 1952! After school, George did an HND in Business Studies before he entered the family motor business. For various reasons the business sold and he got a job with a construction company (Wimpeys) then sponsored George’s architect training which allowed a lot of travel. After qualifying George worked for various practices including the design and construction of a new church in south London. Eventually, George decided to start his own practice established for nearly 40 years. George became a Christian at about 40 after a long period of thinking and attending various churches and meetings. George sold his practice about 6 years ago to set up Gould Baxter ( offices in Haywards Heath and London). He has a large family, his Wife Vicki, 4 Children, John Katie Josh and Nick who all now live locally and they have been blessed with 4 grandchildren.

George keeps very busy, he has been Church warden for Holy Trinity for the past 5 years, he is a volunteer key worker for Sussex Pathways ( mentoring clients in and out of prison) and a trustee for Village Trust and Community charity shop in Hurst. He even has his private pilot’s licence! George joined Befriended as a trustee and became chair of the trustees about a year ago. He considers it a great privilege to be part of a growing team which is really making a positive difference to people’s lives.

Rev Will Kemp is the Vicar of St Andrew’s Church, Burgess Hill. Will has lived in Mid Sussex with his wife Caroline since 2004, and has been a friend and supporter of Gail Millar (CEO of Befriended) ever since. Will was part of the prayer group that first conceived the idea of Befriended and has always had a deep concern for lonely and isolated people. Will is a member of the Burgess Hill ministers group, and is a school governor at Hurstpierpoint College. Will was ordained as a Minister in the Church of England in 1999 and worked for a church in London before moving to Mid Sussex. He is a lifelong supporter of Watford Football Club, and is far too competitive at most things! He brings experience of linking with local churches, charity trusteeship and managing volunteers to the Befriended team.

Diane Watts is a Baptist minister who is currently leading the national Faith and Society team for the Baptist Union. Having led a Baptist church in South London, Diane knows the impact of loneliness and isolation on those who are older as well as on the wider community. The Church is uniquely placed to offer hope and love as we seek to build connections in many directions. In her current role, Diane has the privilege of hearing how church communities across the country are helping address the issue of loneliness for older people and is therefore able to bring a wider perspective to the work of Befriended.

Dave Chewter owns and runs his own business, Parkers Van Hire, as well as various construction projects. Dave is married to Liz and has three grown-up children and 6 grandchildren. Dave attends a Church in Wivelsfield.

Chris Wyles works at Worth School where he has a number of roles. He is the Partnerships and Outreach co-ordinator, Teacher of Games and RE, and a Boarding Tutor. Chris co-ordinates the relationship between the school and Befriended. He is happy to be contacted by other schools who are interested in supporting the charity.

Julia Crook was born in Gloucester before moving to Worcestershire where she spent her formative years.   After graduating in Economics from Lancaster University Julia joined a UK bank in 1989 where she has worked for nearly 35 years across a range of departments.  Julia is married to Mark and they have two grown up sons and live in Hurstpierpoint.  Julia attends The Point Church and is involved with the cafe team and women’s ministry.  In her spare time Julia enjoys volunteering with Befriended at the monthly tea parties, spending time with friends, walking, trying to keep fit, yoga and skiing.