The Management Committee

All the committee members give their time voluntarily. The Trustees are registered directors of the charity. The other members who attend are also volunteers. They advise and support the FriendlyTrust with our work.

Professor
Patrick O'Sullivan OBE
Chair

John Jevons
Vice Chair

Steve Cox
Treasurer

Norbert Flynn
Trustee

Alan Pursell
Trustee

Shan Marsh
Service User

More info on the Management Committee:

Professor Patrick Edmund O’Sullivan: OBE

BSc, PhD, CEng, FInstE, FCIBSE, HonFRIBA, MIOA

Patrick was educated as an Engineer at the Universities of Leeds and Durham.

In 1963, he was awarded a Post Doctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and subsequently worked as Senior Research Fellow, Lecturer and ultimately, Senior Lecturer in Building Science in the School of Architecture in the University of Newcastle upon Tyne

In 1970 he was awarded the Chair of Architectural Science in the University of Wales Institute of Science & Technology (UWIST) and was Dean of the School of Environmental Design 1977 to 1980 and 1986 to 1989. During 1987 to 1989, he was a member of the Executive Commission and Management Committee for the merger of UCC and UWIST to create Cardiff University.

In 1989 he moved to University College: London, where he held the Haden-Pilkington Chair of Environmental Engineering & Design until his retirement in 2002. During his time at UCL, he was Head of the Bartlett School and Dean of the Faculty of the Built Environment.

He has served on many Government bodies: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Solar Steering Committee and the DTI Renewable Energy Policy Committee

The Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Policy Committee and the SERC/DOE Link Committee.

He acted as Advisor to the House of Commons Select Committee on Energy: as Systems Research Advisor to The Building Research Establishment (DOE): as Advisor on Renewable Energy Sources in Agriculture to The United Nations: as Deputy Chairman of the Construction Board of Technology Foresight (OST) and as a Member and Chairman of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee.

He has a keen interest in Education and in the welfare of adults with Learning Disabilities. He has enjoyed riding horses all his life and this led him to volunteer to assist in the Equine Events at the Special Olympics which were held in Bute Park, Cardiff .

He also enjoys walking and gardening. In his youth and whilst at university, he was actively involved in amateur Theatre, designing and operating the lighting for many plays and Gilbert & Sullivan Operettas. He is a keen Bridge Player. He is married, with four children (three sons and a daughter) and three grandchildren. His youngest son has severe learning difficulties.

John Jevons

Retired Regional Director for Methodist Homes, a national charity providing care and housing for elderly people. Formerly Director of Social Services for Clwyd County Council (1991-1995) and for Cardiff County Council (1995 -1997).

Between 1984 and 1991 he was a senior Social Services Manager for Clwyd County Council responsible for Adult Services, during which time he was responsible for planning the county's All Wales Strategy for people with Learning Difficulty, and for organising the county's preparations for the Community Care Act.

Prior to 1983, he worked in community development in Milton Keynes new town. He brings considerable experience of setting up and managing successful projects in both the public and the voluntary sector.

Steve Cox, Treasurer

Has worked in Social Care Sector for over 20 years. MBA qualified. Former Principal Officer in Administration in social services. Currently Chief Executive of another Charity working with people with learning disabilities many of whom have the need for support and advice regarding their financial affairs. Experienced in budget and financial aspects of organisations, strategic planning of services and policy development. Chair of Vale Council for Voluntary Services. Member of various partnership committees in Cardiff and the Vale covering subjects such as Supporting People and European Funding. and the Vale covering subjects such as Supporting People and European Funding.

Steve lives in Cardiff with his wife Rosie and two teenaged children.

Norbert Flynn

Norbert has been involved with The Friendly Trust since it was no more than a good idea and was one of our first directors when we became a company limited by guarantee in 1998.

Norbert is well known in learning disabilities charities having been the chair of a number of organisations, including the All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers of People with Learning Disabilites and the Cardiff branch of Mencap. He is an active Trustee of the Cardiff and Vale Parents Federation; of ATEGI, a domiciliary care provider in South East Wales; and the Treasurer of Faith and Light Wales.

Norbert and his wife Rhona have five children, including Lizzie who has celebral palsy and other disabilities.