The Winchester Beacon is led by the Chief Executive, Mark Wakeling and our volunteer Board of Directors. Together they work to define and deliver our strategy to help break the cycle of homelessness by enabling people to rebuild their lives through independent living.
Each member brings experience, knowledge and a passion to contribute towards the charity’s positive work to tackle homelessness in Hampshire.
We welcome enquiries from people interested in joining our Board. Please email admin@winchesterbeacon.org.uk.
Tracy Jones
Chair of the Board
Tracy started volunteering at The Winchester Beacon in 2016 and joined the Board in 2018 as the Data Protection Lead reviewing the implementation of GDPR.
She was appointed Chair of the Board in December 2019. Prior to this Tracy enjoyed a 30 year career in the General Insurance industry completing a variety of technical and managerial roles. During this time she became a Chartered Insurer and successfully completed her LLB (hons) and Post Graduate Diploma in Law.
From 2011-2015 Tracy led a team of claims professionals handling large and complex insurance claims from Global organisations arising anywhere in the world. This included coordination of natural catastrophic events. From the UK hurricane in 1987 at the beginning of her career to the Hurricane Katrina (2005) and NZ earthquakes (2011) Tracy has helped organisations recover and transform. Now semi retired, she brings a wealth of experience of risk management and senior leadership to the Board.
Vince Kerr
Company Secretary
Company Secretary
Helping people experiencing homelessness has always been a cause Vince has been committed to. Therefore, upon retirement late last year following 40 years in the telecommunications industry , Vince took the opportunity to join The Winchester Beacon in order to help those in need. During his working life, Vince has been involved in the deployment of large-scale telecommunications infrastructure in many countries throughout the world, which has involved him in establishing and running businesses, managing teams and board level strategy development. Vince joined The Winchester Beacon Board in September 2023.
Fiona Gibbon
Treasurer
Treasurer
A range of studies from dance to languages led unusually to a career in accountancy in London and Paris. A big move to Hampshire in 2002 and life in the charitable sector emerged from working at home with four young children. With more time becoming available and a strong desire to make a difference, I am delighted to join the Board, helping in all matters financial; as well as volunteering directly at The Winchester Beacon.
Patrick Fowler
Patrick joined the Board in November 2015, bringing around 25 years of experience in the housing, health, care and voluntary sectors. Patrick has dedicated his career to working in partnership with many providers and commissioners to co-produce services that have responded to changing needs as well as developing services in a variety of areas including older persons, homelessness, mental health, substance misuse, dementia, refugees and asylum seekers. More recently, as part of Shared Ventures, he has helped develop the ‘Keep Well Collaborative’, a network which recognises housing as a key determinant of health with the aim of facilitating collaboration, keeping people safe and well at home and reducing / preventing homelessness.
Anthony Arkwright
Anthony’s background is in property working for national firms, south coast independents as well as having run his own companies. He joined the Board in 2021 and is also an active member of Winchester Rotary. He has much experience of service in the community and fundraising.
Vicky Hemmings
Vicky joined the Board in 2022, bringing with her over 20 years consulting experience supporting banks, financial services and pension operations. As an independent management consultant, she has led large programmes of work and coached several organisations to achieve operational efficiency and effectiveness. More recently, she has worked in central government leading, supporting and sourcing the wrap around services for temporary accommodation and shelter for unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the UK.
Julian Gerry
After a long corporate career in IT, Julian sought opportunities to provide some ‘give back’ to the community: involvement with The Winchester Beacon represented a perfect opportunity to make that difference. His experience ranges from managing teams of people and projects, through corporate communications and site management. He was appointed to the Board of The Winchester Beacon in May 2022.
David Close
Following David’s recent retirement after a long career in the Military (RAF) and Civil Service he now has more time to give something back to the community. For David, The Winchester Beacon gives an opportunity for him to provide help and support focusing particularly on his experience in Food Safety and Health and Safety management.