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 The Point Church and live in the village of Hurstpierpoint.

Stuart Millar (Treasurer) is married to Gail. Stuart was born in Scotland and currently works as an Application Manager in the field of Food Science. After working in a number of different laboratories before this, including 20 years at the University of Stirling, Stuart moved to Hurstpierpoint in 2008 when he and Gail were married. Stuart was brought up in the Church of Scotland and spent a number of years as an Elder in his local Church just outside his home town of Dunfermline, where he was also actively involved in Cub Scouts. When not travelling with work, Stuart enjoys music, computers, looking after his home, and spending time with his grandchildren.

George Baxter 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!

Rev Will Kemp (Chairman) is the Minister in Charge of The Point Church, a local Anglican network church for Mid Sussex that meets in Burgess Hill. Will moved to Mid Sussex with his wife Caroline and their three boys in August 2004, to ‘plant’ The Point. Will is a member of the Burgess Hill ministers group, leads the local New Wine leaders group and is a governor at St Lawrence Church of England Primary School in Hurstpierpoint. 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 still plays football on a Monday night with a few other dads!

Diane Watts is a Baptist minister who is currently leading the national Faith and Society team for the Baptist Union. Prior to that, she worked in community engagement for the Diocese of Chichester, having led a Baptist church in south London. Before training as a minister, Diane taught History and Politics in a boys’ school. She is married, with two sons and lives in Brighton.

Nicholas Baldwin runs his own chartered accountancy firm, he is married to Sue and has four grown-up married children with two grandchildren and a new puppy called Pip.

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 is the Partnerships & Outreach co ordinator, Teacher of Games & Boarding Tutor at Worth School

Julia Crook was born in Gloucester before moving to Worcestshire 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.