Meet the Team
The Plymouth Drake Foundation is a charity solely for the benefit of Plymouth. We are based at the Plymouth Science Park where office space has been provided for our Office Manager to support the Trustees, each of whom gives their time for free:
Caroline Perry Office Manager
Caroline Perry is our Office Manager. Caroline had worked for Post Office Ltd for 30 years, most recently as an Area Sales Performance Manager. She was seconded to us in 2010/11 to be our CEO and we are pleased to have her back.
Trustees
The Plymouth Drake Foundation currently has 9 Trustees who all have a healthy and varied knowledge of Plymouth. Through their knowledge and experience we are able to identify the areas in Plymouth where the need for funding is highest. We can then target our grants to make the biggest impact on our local community.
Maurice West Chair
Maurice became a trustee of Plymouth Drake Foundation in February 2018 as Chair-elect and became Chair in June 2018.
A resident Plymothian all his life, Maurice has spent his entire career, spanning over 42 years, based in the Plymouth office of Bailey Partnership, until his retirement in March 2018. He was a chartered quantity surveyor and project manager working on many projects in Plymouth, across the south west and nationally with values up to £118 million.
For over 30 years Maurice has supported and worked with various local charities and community groups. Currently, he is chair of Keyham Community Partnership and KCP Keystone CIC and a trustee of Devonport Live CIC, Devonport Community Land Trust and Devonport Community Leisure Limited and is a governor at Devonport High School for Boys
Stephen Patey Treasurer
Steve is a highly experienced director with PwC services a wide range of clients throughout the South West. His experience extends across all sectors and covers both owner managed business and large multi-nationals.Steve has worked with a number of clients through key phases of their development and his clients include many highly successful growth companies. Stephen continues to serve a number of manufacturing clients in the South West of England and has previously acted for Plymouth based companies Princess Yachts, Babcock Marine, Twofour Group, Wrigleys, Toshiba Carrier and Fine Tubes. Steve brings a relaxed, pragmatic ‘down to earth’ style to his clients. He believes in developing close relationships for the long term and is highly committed to providing exceptional audit services.
Lynnette Selbie Vice-Chair
Lynnette has worked in education for over 35 years, retiring as the Head of Tavistock Primary in August 2021. Lynnette also serves as a Plymouth Magistrate
Elaine Bleazard Trustee
Elaine is a Business Partner with St James' Place. She has worked in Financial Services for over 20 years and has gained experience in many retail roles whilst working for several of the UK’s largest banks.
Born and bred in Plymouth Elaine is passionate about her local community and spends much of her time in her current role, working with various Plymouth charities, local community groups and schools.
Charlie Jones Trustee
Charlie is a Partner and Head of Operations and Finance at Wolferstans LLP
Chris Steel CBE Trustee
Chris served as a submarine engineer officer in the Royal Navy for over 35 years, with the final decade in senior leadership and management positions within the Navy Command Headquarters. On leaving he joined the volunteers at PDF in 2011, initially assisting with membership and became a Trustee and Director in 2013. He also represents the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity as an Ambassador in the South West and is a Director of RB Safety Consultants Ltd, a medium sized engineering consultancy working in the Defence and wider engineering sectors across the UK. He was appointed CBE in the 2011 New Years Honours List.
Nigel Theyer Trustee
Verity French Trustee
After returning from London, studying for a degree in Economics and Management and starting a career in property, Verity spent nearly 10 years working as an estate agent for two local firms, developing a great network of people in the process. Verity has worked at the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and the CSW Group before joining Chess Dynamics in June 2021 as a BId Writer
When not working, Verity spends time outdoors with her husband and daughter, working on any number of crafty projects or trying to get better at running.
Adam Croney Trustee
Adam is a Partner at Westcotts Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors