Judy Niner, Chair of Trustees of Cogges Manor Farm, retired after ten years in post at a Board meeting on 25th November 2021.
Judy had been Chair of Trustees since the formation of the Cogges Heritage Trust charity in July 2011. The Trust was set up to run Cogges Manor Farm as a heritage attraction after it had been closed in 2009 by Oxfordshire County Council. Since then Cogges has grown to welcome 50,000 visitors a year with strong local support from volunteers and season ticket holders.
Last year, Cogges celebrated its 10th anniversary as an independent charitable Trust with the completion of major improvements to the site including new interpretation of the manor house and creation of new facilities for volunteers and visitors, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Oxfordshire County Council and a range of other funders. In 2020 the Trust acquired the freehold to the farm site.
Commenting on her retirement, Judy says:
"It’s been a real privilege to contribute to Cogges’ development over the last 10 years. I have seen huge, positive change – none of which would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of staff, volunteers and my fellow trustees. I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved and am delighted to be handing over the reins to a new chair and revitalised board with the organisation ready to embark on its second decade of success."
Paul Evans was appointed Chair of Trustees of Cogges Manor Farm at a Board meeting on 25th November 2021. Paul retired from running his own management consultancy business in 2017 and prior to that was European Commercial Director for an American chemical company with responsibility for business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa including offices in Manchester and Luxembourg.
Paul was previously Chair of the Board of Trustees for Citizens Advice North Oxfordshire & South Northants, and also volunteers for the Environment Agency as a volunteer assistant lock keeper on the river Thames. Together with his wife Rosie, Paul has been an active volunteer at Cogges since January 2017.
Commenting on his appointment as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Paul says:
“I am delighted and honoured to be taking on the role of Chairman at such an exciting time for the Trust. Having been a volunteer since 2017 I have seen at first hand how much Cogges means to our brilliant staff, volunteers and the local community. Significant investment by the Trust and National Lottery Heritage Fund provides us with the opportunity to look ahead with confidence to the next 10 years.”
