Debbie Brock DL

Debbie was Mayor of Milton Keynes in 2010/11, she was an Elected Member of Milton Keynes Council for eight years and the first Chairman of The Milton Keynes Health & Wellbeing Board; she has since retired from local politics. She became Chairman of The Milton Keynes Cenotaph Trust in 2010, a role she still enjoys today. She is a stalwart supporter of many organisations in Milton Keynes including the Milton Keynes Community Foundation and is Chair of Milton Keynes’ Disability Awareness Day. Debbie was appointed one of Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenants for Buckinghamshire in 2015.

John Moffoot, MBE, FCIS, DL

John retired as an employee of Milton Keynes Council in 2012 and now devotes his time to various voluntary activities. He is a Director and Chair of Methodist Guild Holidays Ltd (trading as Christian Guild); a trustee and Honorary Secretary of the MK Cenotaph Trust; and a trustee and Chair of Tools for Self Reliance – MK. John was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2012 for services to young people and the community of Milton Keynes. He was appointed one of Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenants for Buckinghamshire in 2013.

Chris Roberts

Chris Roberts is the Royal British Legion representative on the board of trustees. He retired from corporate life in 2016. He was already Chairman of both the Olney Branch of the Royal British Legion and of the North Bucks Group which represents all the branches in Milton Keynes and the north of the County.  The Royal British Legion is a key stakeholder in the Milton Keynes Rose as it is now the focus for a community remembrance event on November 11th every year.  The Royal British Legion is responsible for the ceremonial associated with that act of Remembrance.

 

Elizabeth Richardson

Elizabeth has been involved with the Milton Keynes Rose, working closely with John Moffoot, who was then Assistant Director (Democratic Services) at Milton Keynes Council, since a plan for a place of remembrance and commemoration in the heart of Milton Keynes was first suggested in 2008.  She has been involved in much of the background administrative work which needed to be done in order to realise this vision as the iconic Milton Keynes Rose.  She still works for Milton Keynes Council, having joined in 1989.  She was appointed as a Trustee of the Cenotaph Trust in November 2015 and is passionate about getting the message across that there is more to Milton Keynes than concrete cows and roundabouts, whilst recognising that these are important to the identity of Milton Keynes.

Julia Upton MBE DL

Julia joined the Board of The Milton Keynes Cenotaph Trust in December 2016, and is a Trustee of the MK YMCA and Wavendon Allmusic Plan, a Board Director of Business Leaders and on MK Gallery’s Fundraising Steering Group. Previously Julia was Chief Executive of MK Community Foundation, developing philanthropy, leadership, enhancing the property portfolio to enable grants and subsidised rents of £1.7M to be distributed to community groups and charities each year. Julia was Vice Chair of UK Community Foundation working to develop Community Foundations in the UK and Chaired their Local Network Fund to support children and young people’s initiatives. She was instrumental in developing ‘Vital Signs’ research which identifies the successes and challenges in communities and a ‘Quality Mark’ for all Community Foundations in the UK. Originally from the West Country, Julia previously worked in education in Somerset then London prior to moving to Milton Keynes.

The Parks Trust

The Parks Trust is an independent, self-funded charity that cares for and maintains over 6,000 acres of green space across Milton Keynes. This includes the river valleys, ancient woodlands, lakesides, parks and landscaped areas alongside the main roads. The Parks Trust ensures these spaces are expertly maintained and managed and also plans, develops and invests for the future, so that everyone can enjoy the outdoors, now and forever. The Parks Trust also works with around 6,000 school children and adults through its outdoor education programme, and has over 200 volunteers. The Parks Trust organises and enables over 500 events and activities each year, making the city a vibrant and colourful place to live, work and visit. For more information visit theparkstrust.com.

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MK Council

Milton Keynes Council is the local authority of the Borough of Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, England. It is a unitary authority, having the powers of a non-metropolitan county and district council combined. Milton Keynes is divided into 19 wards, electing 57 councillors. Milton Keynes is reported as one of the nation’s best places to do business, and its council has ambitious plans for continued economic development and growth. As of the summer of 2013, Milton Keynes became part of the Key Cities Group which is a group for cities who play a key role in their regional economy; centres of innovation, production, and trade.87