Staff and management

Bernadette Ashcroft – Chief Executive

Bernadette has been a CEO working in the older people’s voluntary sector since 2009. Previous to that she worked with individuals, families and communities who have been  affected by substance misuse and mental health issues. Her first role within the Age UK network was at Age UK Tameside in Greater Manchester and since April 2017 she has been working to help local brand partners develop strategies and plans to remain sustainable and to continue working across many communities. Bernadette was appointed as Interim CEO and will be working with us until the end of September 2021, supporting our Board of Trustees to plan for the future.

Fred joined the charity in January 2011, taking over the management of Commercial Services.

During his time at Age UK Buckinghamshire, Fred has developed the range of chargeable services, which now cover Neat Feet, Help-in-the-Home, Gardening, Computer Training, Handyperson and Hairdressing.  Prior to this role, he spent his working life in the industrial market specialising in equipment for the Compressed Air & Gas Technology sectors.

Catherine Tabor – Finance Manager

Catherine joined Age Uk Buckinghamshire as a Finance Manager in March 2012 having previously worked for Bucks County Council Adult Social Care. She attended Glasgow University for four years and gained a number of qualifications in Business Studies and accounting. On the completion of her course she moved to Aylesbury where she worked in the private sector for over 13 years.

Board of Trustees

Age UK Buckinghamshire is a company limited by guarantee, governed by a Board of Trustees. The trustees are responsible for overseeing the affairs of the charity in accordance with its charitable objectives and to ensure continuing compliance with charity and company law.

The trustees meet on a regular basis and they have a wide range of experience and skills.

The committee has overall legal responsibility for the work and finances of the organisation, employs the staff who manage the volunteers.

Sam Russell JP -  Chairman

Sam Russell joined the Trust Board in November 2020. He is an external relations and community engagement manager who works in the railway industry. Prior to this, he worked in Local Government, including in Social Care.

Sam has extensive voluntary and Trustee experience, including overseeing significant growth and appointing senior leaders. He is the Chair of Trustees of a successful Multi Academy Trust in Hertfordshire and has experience in organising community events and campaigns.

Sam is also a Magistrate in the Family Court.

Keith Horlock – Trustee

Keith became a Trustee in March 2021, having been on the Board since 2015.  Keith is also involved with The Prince’s Trust and has previously been involved in two other charities as a trustee and as Chairman for 4 years for one of them.  He also sits on the finance and fund-raising committees and retail board. Before his retirement, he spent his working life in finance, working for a number of investment companies and banks at Board level and more recently as a consultant.

Andrew Swann – Trustee

Andrew has been a trustee since 2014 and Treasurer since 2015.  He is involved with a number of other charities, acting as Treasurer for two of them.  Having gained his degree in Genetics, Andrew spent his working life in finance – for Baring Brother, ING and Alliance & Leicester among other well-known names.  He also chairs the finance committee and carries out a great deal of financial research on behalf of the charity..

Aifra Perveen - Trustee

Aifra became a Trustee with Age Concern Buckinghamshire September 2020. Aifra is IT professional, and spent most of her working career in the marketing and retail sectors. Aifra has worked and volunteered for several charities within Buckinghamshire and London areas since 1998.

David Priest  - Trustee

David became a Trustee in September 2020. David is a chartered accountant, and spent most of his working career in the financial services sector at Board level, latterly as a consultant and interim manager. Since retirement David has acted as trustee for several local charities, and as a mentor to a number of budding young entrepreneurs.

Steve Bishop - Treasurer
Steve is a retired accountant, having worked in the leisure and hospitality industry for nearly 30 years.
Steve is also a Trustee of the Lionel Abel Smith Trust and a volunteer non-executive director of the holiday Co-operative, HF Holidays. His interests are walking and bridge.

Become a trustee

Many of us have supported and helped our parents as they get older;  we know from first hand experience the level of expert help that can be needed.  It can be comforting to know that the support of organisations such as Age UK Buckinghamshire is there when we need it.

If you would like to know more, please contact Bernadette Ashcroft, our Chief Executive, on 01296 431911.

Our diversity policy

Age UK Buckinghamshire is committed to equal opportunities. Our aim is that all our services should be accessible to every older person in the county, irrespective of race, gender, sexual orientation, or faith.