Members & patrons

Sir Peter Michael CBE - Chairman

Sir Peter has had a distinguished career in high technology enterprises and many varied business activities. He has lived in the Newbury area since 1970 and until recently was Chairman of Classic FM the radio company that he founded in 1992. He also founded Micro Consultants Group, Quantel, UEI Plc and was Chairman of Cray Electronics, all world leaders in high technology industry. He has sat on numerous Government committees associated with high technology and research activities.

Sir Peter's Newbury business interests include his family hotels, Donnington Valley Hotel Golf Course and The Vineyard at Stockcross, the Eddington Estate and the Highcross Group. He is a Liveryman of the Goldsmiths and is passionately involved in the Arts, with a particular interest in Sculpture, having been Chairman of the Royal Society of British Sculptors appeal in 1992 and Chairman of The Sculpture Company. Married with two sons, his other interests include tennis, opera and classical music.

"It is now over ten years since we took those first teetering steps towards bringing the ownership of Greenham Common into the community. Since then the undoubted success and hard work of all concerned has enabled the original vision to be realized and the expectations surpassed.

"GCT was formed during one of the UK's periodic economic downturns and provided sanctuary for many of the local small businesses beset by financial troubles.

"Now once again, we are faced with the worst conditions in our life times and I feel sure that GCT will once more allow local enterprise to survive and eventually emerge fit and healthy.

"There are some great business success stories over the past decade and GCT has played its part whilst at the same time delivering several millions of pounds into the many worthy causes of West Berkshire.

"Everybody involved can be proud of the institution, its staff, the business community it fosters and all those who give so freely of their time and skill to whom huge thanks are due.”

Mrs Mark Edwards

Mrs Mark Edwards has lived and farmed in the Newbury area for the last forty years. She is on the Board of directors of the Newbury Spring Festival and is a Trustee of the Friends of Newbury Spring Festival, Chairman of the Berkshire Red Cross Special Appeals committee and was previously Chairman of the board of governors at Enborne Church of England Primary School. Her hobbies include tennis, golf and bridge.

"I believe the Greenham Common Trust is a wonderful opportunity to ensure the Greenham Airbase is returned to the people of Newbury and am delighted that funds raised are being distributed back to Newbury and Newbury people through the Trust. The success of the Trust is reflected by so many charities being supported and so many people offered employment on the site."

The Earl of Carnarvon

The Earl of Carnarvon has lived at Highclere all his life and has been involved in its change from the private house of his grandfather's time to its public role today. The house has many visitors and holds corporate events, many being associated with charities.

"I was Chairman of the Greenham Common Community Relations Committee durings its last two years of use as a military base, and am very pleased to see it now being returned to constructive use for the community after all this time. It is good to see this facility being used totally in a peacetime role."

Lord Iliffe

Lord Iliffe is Chairman of Yattendon Investment Trust Plc, which publishes a number of regional newspapers and owns the Yattendon Estate. Lord Iliffe has been the Chairman of the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and President of Newbury Show. In addition he is currently Warden of Bradfield College. He has lived in the Newbury area all his life and he and his wife have four grown up children.

"I am delighted to be associated with Greenham Common Trust and the many benefits it has already brought, and will continue to bring, to the area."

The Rt Hon the Lord Owen CH

The Rt Hon the Lord Owen CH was a Member of Parliament for Plymouth (Sutton and Devonport) from 1966-1992 during which, under Labour Governments, he was Navy Minister, Health Minister and Foreign Secretary. He was a founder of the Social Democratic Party in 1981 and its leader from 1983-90. From 1992-95 Lord Owen was the EU peace negotiator in the former Yugoslavia.

His current business interests include: Chairman of Global Natural Energy; Deputy Chairman of Europe-Steel.com and a non-executive Director of the US pharmaceutical company, Abbott Laboratories. He was Chairman of Yukos International B.V from 2002-5. He is also Chairman of New Europe; Chancellor of Liverpool University; Director of the Centre for International Health and Cooperation and President of the Enabling Partnership.

Lord Owen has written a number of books including Human Rights (1978), Face the Future (1981), his autobiography Time to Declare (1991), an anthology of poetry Seven Ages (1992) and Balkan Odyssey (1995).

"I have lived in Buttermere, Wiltshire, for the last 34 years. I am also President of the Enabling Partnership at Enham. Now that I no longer have a constituency commitment in Plymouth and sit as an independent Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords, I hope I will have a little more time to devote to the community served by Greenham Common Trust. I have admired greatly the transformation that the Trust has achieved from a controversial military airbase to an extremely valuable asset for the community as a whole. I hope I will be able to help that very worthwhile process continue into the future."