Trustees’ Week: Meet the people supporting Port Sunlight Village Trust’s important work

Trustees’ Week (3–7 November 2025) is a chance to celebrate and champion the individuals who give their time to support charities all over the country, including here in Port Sunlight, where a group of passionate individuals are central to shaping the work we do to preserve and promote this special village. So much so, we’re currently looking for new trustees to join our Board.

To mark the occasion, we asked a few of our trustees – Andrew Bowden (Chair), Louise Parnell (Vice-Chair) and Steve Connolly – some questions to help you get to know them and understand their roles a little better.

Why did you become a trustee?

Andrew: Having worked in the non-for-profit sector I understood the vital role they can play in helping the charity to achieve its aims with maximum impact

Louise: To make use of my financial skills for charitable purposes and support organisations I am passionate about.

Steve: As my career as a Quantity Surveyor was drawing to a close I thought it would be fulfilling to join the Board of a housing association many of which had been clients to my surveying practice. After several rejections I saw the advertisement for a position on the Board at PSVT, without any expectation I submitted my application and to my surprise was asked to join the Board following an interview with the chair and chief executive at the time. I have been delighted with the role and met some amazing people.

What makes a good trustee?

Louise: Ensuring the organisation is focussing on its charitable purposes and in line with its Strategic Plan whilst using its resources diligently and with probity. A trustee must not get too involved in the running of the organisation, but must have the ability to stand back and support and advise whilst supporting the strategy delivery.

Steve: Someone who commits time to the Trust and engages with the people. It’s all about people and excellent communication. The liabilities of a trustee are not to be taken lightly and you must commit to your role or go home.

Andrew: Someone with an open listening approach. Understanding your role and responsibilities, and having the experience and confidence to challenge the status quo to help make a positive difference.

What do you do in your spare time?

Andrew: I am keen sailor and walker plus I enjoy being with family and friends.

Steve: I retired in 2019 and you would think I would have lots of spare time but life seems to get in the way! I spend a lot of time planning our lives such as travelling in our motorhome, walking, cycling, socialising with friends, attending live music concerts and sports events (The Open Golf, the Tour de France, the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe) and following my great passion, Manchester United, home and away.

Louise: In addition to being a trustee, I am part of a hiking group and two running groups. I am also learning to play the piano.

What moments or projects have you most enjoyed being part of in your time at PSVT?

Steve: The resident engagement strategy has been the best thing to happen at Port Sunlight in my nine years as a trustee and I am delighted to have contributed in a small way to this initiative by chairing one of the advisory groups and meeting the residents.

Louise: In my time as a trustee, PSVT has moved forward significantly in taking action, not just talking about it, whilst bringing the village closer together.

Andrew: The village is a very special place, and I do feel very fortunate to have had this opportunity to be Chair. The recent resident awards was great to see, and I enjoyed watching the village community coming together to celebrate.

What excites you most about Port Sunlight’s future?

Louise: A resident said recently that there is a “buzz” in the village and that makes me excited about how we can bring residents, tenants and visitors together to create a vibrant community.

Andrew: We are now focused on delivering the new Strategic Plan which I know with the passion of the staff, partnering with the village, makes for a very exciting time ahead for all concerned.

Steve: I shall complete my tenth and final year as a Trustee of PSVT next year, I believe we have improved year on year in this time and are in a great position to develop in the future with an excellent team of knowledgeable, diverse and dedicated board members. Before I end my term I am looking forward to assisting in the early development of the Lyceum project and will follow its progress after I retire from the Board.