Our Trustees

Meet the people who make decisions about our strategic direction

Dame Hannahs is governed by its Board of Trustees, which is ultimately responsible for the management and conduct of the charity. It sets the strategic direction to enable us to work towards achieving our vision and goals.


  • Professor David Coslett

    Chair of Trustees

    David is an experienced higher education leader with a distinguished profile and career spanning over 30 years in the education sector. He was interim Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at Plymouth University from 2014 to 2016, having previously served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of Arts. He had oversight responsibility for External Relations including relationships with the media and international partners. He has considerable experience of working with a broad range of people, institutions and organisations and building an integrated and collaborative approach to leadership. He is a graduate of the Leadership Foundation’s Top Management Programme. David is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of the Advisory Group of The Box, Plymouth and has Board experience of a number of charities including Plymouth Culture, the South West Film & Television Archive and the Barbican Theatre, Plymouth. He is a former Secretary of the UK Council of Deans of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences and former board member of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. He is currently an Emeritus Professor of the University.
  • Paul Boys

    Paul has spent the whole of his working career in construction and housing development. He worked on major projects for John Laing Construction moving on to Laing Homes and finally Taylor Wimpey as a regional MD. His interest in learning disabilities began 33 years ago when his youngest son Alex was born with Down’s Syndrome. Since then, he has held several Trustee roles in charities that support people with a learning disability including 20 years at Robert Owen Communities, a Devon based support provider which has recently merged with United Response. He is currently a Trustee of two other Charities; a grant making Trust and a small housing provider for people with a learning disability.

    “Hannahs is a great charity and I am delighted to be able to use the skills that I have gained both through my working career and from working with other charities with a similar ethos to hopefully make a useful contribution to the ongoing success of the organisation”

  • Simon Morris

    Simon is a lawyer of over 20 years experience. He started his legal career in Devon with the then Bond Pearce LLP, moving to Bristol for over 10 years and working for Osborne Clarke LLP and DAC Beachcroft LLP. Simon’s experience is in commercial and corporate contracts and project financing. He has recently worked on high value NHS commissioning contracts and financings. Simon also has industry experience having worked as an in house counsel for Wincanton plc and the then Lloyds TSB Bank plc.

    “Dame Hannahs is a wonderful charity and I am pleased and proud to be a member of the board of Trustees. I am hoping that my previous experience can positively contribute to the direction and growth of the charity, to allow it to continue to provide the excellent services which it currently provides.”

  • Tony Lumb

    Tony is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years’ experience in financial and operational restructuring, and commercial operations. Over the last 10 years Tony has focused exclusively on healthcare services including those for the elderly, profoundly disabled and individuals with acquired brain injuries. Although finance based, Tony has knowledge of Estates, HR, legal matters and taxation. He has also been project manager for a substantial residential home refurbishment programme.

    “Through my work I have seen some outstanding care services with such dedication from both staff and the families of residents. I have known Dame Hannahs for seven years and it has been a privilege to see the hard work and commitment which goes towards improving the lives of the residents. I therefore jumped at the opportunity to be a trustee when it became available. “

  • Nigel Godefroy

    Nigel has recently joined the Board for a second time. Well known in the area Nigel was previously CEO of Sutton Harbour and was responsible for much of the regeneration around the Barbican area of Plymouth. A commercially minded Chartered Accountant, Nigel is also the current Chair of Plymouth City Centre Company, sits on the Board of Destination Plymouth and is a shadow Board Director of The Box in Plymouth. For the last seven years Nigel has been a Trustee of Plymouth Marine Laboratory where he chairs the audit Committee. Other previous roles include being Deputy Chair of Plymouth’s Barbican Trust, a Commissioner for Cattewater Harbour and a Director of Resound Health which built health facilities in Plymouth including Mount Gould Hospital.

    “It’s an absolute privilege to be involved in such a fabulous and worthwhile charity as Dame Hannahs. I am humbled to be given the opportunity to support others whilst at the same time to work with so many other amazing people.”