Our trustees

With a strong business background after a career in submarines, Robin has wide international professional experience, considerable experience of the third sector, along with various chair roles, and he really enjoys playing a key role in tackling the challenges of shaping projects/businesses, and inspirationally driving successful organisational  performance. With strong influencing and team-working skills he loves working with people. The key to success in all his roles has been the ability to lead a team with a highly adaptive and collaborative approach, aligning them to an inspiring vision and strategy, with shared creative passion, and an agreed vibrant programme to tackle the future. Time in Cornwall has meant years on Isles of Scilly managing off island quay refurbishment projects, running and supporting a fishing fleet of trawlers in Newlyn, and involvement in Penzance/St Mary’s harbour revamp programme and Scillonian replacement, to name but a few.

Sue, now retired, worked for Barclays Bank, Bristol and West Building Society as well as the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary in a civilian role; all her working life has been in Cornwall.  Sue was an active voluntary member of St John Ambulance for 40 years, including just over three years as County Commissioner for Cornwall, finally running the St John Fellowship, an organisation for retired members.  For some 20 years Sue was a voluntary observer for the Institute of Advance Motorists. Sue was the Emmaus Cornwall Chair of Trustees until July 2023 and now remains on the Board as a trustee.

Michael is also an International Councillor of Emmaus International and Treasurer of Emmaus Europe.

Michael brings significant experience of working in the public, private and voluntary sectors in a range of leadership roles, particularly in mental health, social care and housing.  He first became involved with Emmaus in 2009 as a trustee at Emmaus Gloucestershire.  He is committed to the values and beliefs of Emmaus and the work it does in the UK and worldwide with socially excluded and disadvantaged people, where each individual is recognised for what they can contribute regardless of social status and given the opportunity to succeed in what they do.

Rod has had a long and varied career in education, consultancy and manufacturing in a wide range of roles. Rod has been a trustee with Emmaus Cornwall since 2019 and believes it to be an opportunity to make a real and positive difference to the lives of an important sector in society as well as their families.

Richard is a retired local government officer with 30 years of legal and governance experience. He was a supporter of Emmaus Cornwall for nearly 10 years before becoming a trustee. He left his job with Cornwall Council to focus on writing a novel and to support charities and social enterprises. He is a member of the Working Group with Eden and believes that Emmaus Cornwall can make a significant attempt at addressing long-term homelessness in Cornwall.

Stephen is a Chartered Accountant, having trained with PricewaterhouseCoopers. For many years he was a Finance Director for a variety of enterprises, most recently at Cornwall Care, the largest provider of adult social care in the county. Since 2019, he has acted as a Finance and Business Adviser to a range of businesses. Stephen and his wife, Jennie, have given a home to young adults on an informal basis. Joining Emmaus enables Stephen to make a greater impact.  Aside from his involvement with Emmaus, he is also a trustee of Mustard Seed Property, another charity based in Cornwall, which purchases homes in which vulnerable tenants can be supported into stable lifestyles.