ABOUT US

Andrew MacPherson

CHAIR

Andrew MacPherson was at the core of dramatic change in European Ferry services, in information technology, customer service including the World’s Largest Fast Ferry and the establishment of European Forwarding and Ferry Operations. He directed RFID developments in the airlines sector before being appointed by the National Express Group as Customer Services Director for the country’s first ‘supertoc’, with 105 million customers a year in East Anglia, then the largest rail franchise every created and the prototype of the U.K.’s government’s new model for rail travel. In 2006 he set up a consultancy partnership CIL, who became major contributors to successful bids for the London Overground, Cross Country and South Central rail franchises. Andrew’s contributions to service quality systems,  passenger charters, CRM and compensation schemes are established nationally.

He was a Companion Member of the Institute of Customer Services,  Chief Executive/Director of the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Europe and Non Executive Director of Ipswich Hospital Trust, where he chaired the Garett Anderson Hospital new build project. He was a participant in the international music industry for nearly 20 years ,with executive production credits for over a 100 concerts, tours in the UK and USA, eight albums and three singles, including a short listing for a ‘Song for Europe’.

In 2009 he joined Dr Stephen Dunn and the NHS to lead groundbreaking projects to deliver change and reform through the mergers, divestment and rationalisation of challenged health services. His Strategic Projects Team (SPT) were involved in £6bn of transactions. He ran the first NHS National competition (BLPT) and oversaw, the country’s first franchise of an NHS Trust Hospital at Hinchingbrooke. He subsequently led the SPT in complex award winning & controversial deals, integration, commissioning support, service reconfiguration and the transformation of pathology services. From 2011 he co-designed & delivered the government’s  ‘Friends and Families Test’ working with NHS England, No 10 & Department of Health to achieve over 25 million customer insights.

He retired in early 2017 to his home in Coddenham, Suffolk. In 2019 he established the Coddenham Centre Charitable Incorporated Organisation and has since, with the support of fellow Trustees and volunteers, led the turnaround and success of the Centre.

Ray Collins

Trustee Treasurer

Prior to retirement he worked in more than 26 countries, 9 of these in management positions. A resident of Coddenham for over 40 years. Former member of the Coddenham Parish Council and currently Chair of the Coddenham Village History Club and Trustee of the Gardemau Charity.He is a founder member of the Coddenham Centre CIO.

Debbie McDonnell

Trustee

Debbie has lived in the centre of Coddenham for over 20 years during which time she has been actively involved with various community organisations; she is a member of St Mary’s Church PCC, the History Club and of the Coddenham Covid Response Group, she volunteers in the community shop and is a governor at Stonham Aspal School.

Following a career in retail management, Debbie retrained as an Early Years Teacher and led a large successful Early Years Team at a Woodbridge school.  Following ‘retirement’ in 2017 she has enjoyed travelling, theatre and being involved in the community.

Debbie was involved with the Coddenham Community and Sports Hall as chair of the management committee for many years.  She feels that the present trustees are beginning to reinvigorate the Coddenham Centre and would like to be part of its future.  She is particularly interested in promoting events for members of the community as well as expanding the use of the facilities for commercial use.

Elaine Thomas

Trustee

Elaine recently retired from her role as CEO of The Stone Foundation,  a charitable incorporated organisation set up to provide supported housing for vulnerable individuals.

Prior to that, she worked in a variety of roles at Ipswich Borough Council Housing department, including working alongside the voluntary sector.

Elaine continues to work in a housing related capacity albeit on a very part-time basis. When not doing paid work, she also volunteers at our fantastic community shop, which she helped to set up in 2019. Elaine has lived in Coddenham for 11 years, with husband Peter.

David Ward

Trustee

David is a chartered civil engineer and Fellow of the ICE and CIHT. In a career spanning almost forty years, he has worked on some of the UK and Europe’s largest civil engineering projects, for both consultants and contractors.

David is now semi-retired and has lived in Coddenham for the last three years with his partner Isabel. An avid golfer, he enjoys travel and visiting family and friends in Switzerland, Kent and Yorkshire.

David believes The Coddenham Centre and the Community Shop are at the heart of our vibrant community, and is particularly interested in continuing the success of the Coddenham Centre for future generations to enjoy.

Rachel Carter

Trustee

I’ve worked in the charity sector for over 12 years, and have held numerous voluntary roles alongside my professional role. I moved to Coddenham in 2018 with my family, and we live on Green Hill with our two girls. Since arriving I’ve loved getting involved in village life — most recently helping to organise the Coddenham Fete.

I’m really passionate about creating fun, welcoming events for families and I am excited to support the Coddenham Centre as it continues to grow as a hub for the whole community

John Whitehead

Trustee

John is a chartered accountant who comes from Yorkshire but spent most of his career working in central London. Having taken the decision to retire at a ‘young’ age, John and his family moved out to Suffolk and rapidly got involved in the local community. First, whilst living in Claydon, John joined the parish council there as well as becoming a governor at his son’s school, Claydon Primary. He chaired the governing body there for several years.

John was first elected to Mid Suffolk District Council in 2011 to represent the Claydon & Barham ward. He is currently serving his fourth four-year term as a district councillor and for seven years was the Cabinet Member for Finance. In 2019 the Claydon & Barham ward boundaries were extended to additional villages including Coddenham. John quickly familiarised himself with his new territory and liked Coddenham so much that he and his wife Tracey moved to live here in 2022. John joined the Coddenham Parish Council in 2023 and then answered the Community Centre’s call for new Trustees in 2025.

John loves the community spirit here in Coddenham and how all the various community groups work harmoniously together for the benefit of the local residents.   As a trustee of the Community Centre he hopes to see the facility continue to thrive as a precious community resource.