Our Trustees
The Community First board of trustees oversees the organisation and its governance. Find out more about our trustees below.
Community First Trustees
James Moody
Chair of Trustees
James lives in Devizes and has a background of working both within Local Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector. Currently the Policy Manager at Test Valley Borough Council, he has a wide ranging corporate brief that includes place shaping, strategic planning and partnership working. James was previously Chair of Trustees for DEVELOP and oversaw its merger with Community First in 2016. Prior to this, he was also one of the founding members of the charity that established the UK Youth Parliament and served as its first Chair of Trustees. James is passionate about community development and the role of volunteering as part of supporting strong and vibrant communities.
James is the Chair of Community First’s Finance Committee
Steve Boocock
Vice Chair of Trustees
Steve lives in Bradford on Avon and is Chief Executive of Wiltshire and Swindon Sport. His background includes a long career with the Probation Service and heading up a specialist Child Protection Unit with the NSPCC.
Edward Heard
Trustee
Edward was born in Lacock and has lived most of his life in North Wiltshire. His career has been in property across the UK, and is now focussed on property from offices in Chippenham.
He has a strong interest in Wiltshire, and the future for its communities
Merope Sylvester
Trustee
Merope grew up in South Gloucestershire and has lived in Wiltshire for the last 15 years. She has spent most of her career in financial services latterly as a Compliance Officer in Assurance working to ensure that products and services provided to customers are fit for purpose. She is lay-chair of the Bybrook group of churches and churchwarden for her local parish.
Merope has dedicated a significant part of her career to supporting and mentoring young people to help them achieve their potential and is a passionate believer that with the right support young people can grow, flourish and achieve their potential.
“As a resident in a small rural hamlet I have first hand experience of the importance of vibrant communities and how successful ones develop and grow when people pull together. We all have our part to play in ensuring that our communities continue to flourish and provide opportunities for all.”
Merope is the Chair of Community First’s Human Resources Committee
Fiona Slevin-Brown
Trustee
Fiona has extensive NHS Board level experience and has held senior roles in both provider and commissioning organisations. She joined the NHS in 1992 as a Podiatrist and has held a wide range of clinical and managerial roles during her long NHS career. Fiona has considerable experience and is passionate about engaging with and building effective local partnerships to deliver positive change for local communities.
Fiona is married with two grown up sons, and these days away from work, she is kept on her toes with her cockapoo Teddy. She is a keen ultra runner, tennis player, and yoga practitioner. She lives in Wiltshire with her family.
Piers Dibben
Trustee
Piers is a Wiltshire based entrepreneur. He started his career in the City with Schroders before setting up his own financial business in 1995. After ten years in London, he moved back to the Malmesbury area in 1999 and bought a local Facilities Management business and more recently a modular building company. In 2001 he became a trustee of Youth Action Wiltshire, which subsequently merged with Community First, and is now also a Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire.
Piers is an outdoor enthusiast and has raced with variously low levels of success on horses, boats, skis, bikes and trainers.
Tim Humphreys
Trustee
Originally from north Wales, Tim has lived on the western edge of Wiltshire since the early 1990’s.
He has worked within the UK water sector for over 40 years as an engineer and project management professional, operating at senior level for the majority of this time.
He has been involved in community volunteering as Treasurer of his local village hall since 2006, a member of the community steering group for overseeing development / implementation of the local plan that was prepared from a community consultation process in 2018 / 2019, and a member of a Parish Council for the past 4 years.
Away from volunteering and with retirement imminent, Tim also enjoys running [avid Parkrun enthusiast], attending the gym, walking/rambling and campervan travels.
Patron, President & Vice Presidents
Patron: Her Majesty The Queen
Dame Sarah Troughton (DVCO), HM Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire
President
The Earl of Radnor
Vice President
Ken Whatley
Vice President
James Layton
Vice President
William Wyldbore-Smith DL
Vice President
Jane James
Vice President
Ginnie Keen
Vice President
