Newbies at the Pier

Here's the potted biographies-cum-pitches from the three Trustees confirmed at the AGM, one staying, two new. Michael Khoury has what I find to be a disarmingly honest and direct approach: if the Pier succeeds, the town will succeed, and his assorted business interests in the town will prosper - clear-cut and straightforward. Ian Priston looks promising as our new communications wizard, and will need to put in some spell-binding performances if we're to pull any rabbits out of this particular hat. Andrea Leach has a solid background in the nitty-gritty world of fund-raising, and willingly walked straight into this challenge, for which I applaud him. I'm pleased with all three.

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TRUSTEES FOR RE-ELECTION

MICHAEL KHOURY
Michael has lived in Herne Bay for 23 years where his business interests include amusement arcades, catering and retail. He is a founder member of Town Partners and active in Herne Bay's Chamber of Commerce, for which he is currently President. He started life in a refugee camp and as a young man he worked on oil rigs in the Arabian Gulf. He was Employee Relations Representative for an American company for 4 years before being head hunted for the Ministry of Petroleum. After 5 years he moved to the UK, where he met his wife June.

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NOMINATIONS FOR ELECTION AS TRUSTEE

IAN PRISTON
Herne Bay deserves a pier it can be proud of and I am committed to doing all I can to achieving that goal, particularly by helping build the trust's profile. Quite new to Herne Bay, my wife and I moved to the area to obtain a better life for our 3 young children. We chose well! By profession I am a communications manager responsible for relationships with the media and a wide variety of public bodies for the Courts Service in London. I am experienced in new public building project management, consultation, advising government and explaining proposals to wide audiences.

ANDREA LEACH
Andrea, 44 is happily married to Kim and has 2 sons Alex (16) and Max (12). Born in Canterbury he has lived all his life locally and moved to Herne Bay over 3 years ago and is passionate about improving and developing the Town! Andrea has over 20 years extensive European B2B experience with a number of leading global FMCG companies, including the Sports Apparel and Leisure sector. As Capital Appeals Manager for a Local Children's Charity he helped to raise £6.5m to build and open South London's First Residential Children's Hospice in South London. He is bilingual Italian and has extensive business contacts both locally and in London. He has worked with Britain's Oldest Brewer Shepherd Neame as an Export Consultant for over 5 years. Andrea would like to use his Business Contacts and experience as a Trustee and seeks your proactive support to help him make a difference!