The Horton is run by registered charity Horton Chapel Arts & Heritage Society.
The board of trustees was involved in every aspect of the renovation project (2016-2022), supported by other volunteers, partners and specialist contractors.
The Horton is now run by a small staff team with the help of local people who regularly volunteer their time.
Main image: Some of our staff, volunteers and trustees. (2024)
Banner image: Visitors viewing the newly opened performance space . (Photo credit: Mike Longhurst.)
WHO WE ARE
Maria Reeves
Director
Maria is one of the co-founders of The Horton, previously serving five years as trustee 2016 to 2021 and taking a leading role in managing the renovation project. Amongst other things, Maria leads on artistic programming, business development, fundraising and is a director of the charity's trading subsidiary. A creative consultant and former journalist, Maria was previously venue manager at Ropetackle Arts Centre, West Sussex, head of marketing for the International Youth Arts (Fuse) Festival, and founder/festival director of MGSO4 Arts. She lives in Epsom and is committed to creating opportunities for all.
Leanne Gale
Administration
Leanne is our part-time Admin Manager and first point of contact for public enquiries and venue hire.
She has worked with a wide range of community groups from young children to older people, as well as those with additional needs and mental health issues.
She is trained in secretarial administration, safeguarding, advice and mindfulness mediation.
Leanne lives locally and particularly enjoys working with The Horton's volunteers and expanding the volunteering programme.
Elin Joseph
Marketing
Elin is our part-time Marketing Manager. She has over 15 years of experience in arts marketing and has worked at organisations big and small, including the RSC, National Theatre and LW Theatres. Most recently she worked on the launch and re-opening of Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London's West End. Elin lives down the road from The Horton and is excited to be spreading the word about an exciting cultural offering in her home town.
Justine Royal
Operations
Justine is our Assistant Operations Manager. She previously worked as Retail Operations Manager at The Children's Trust, having spent 17 years with the charity.
Justine lives locally and is pleased to be supporting The Horton's creative and community-focused programme.
Nicola Little
Finance
Nicola is our Finance Manager and is Secretary to the Trading Subsidiary Board. She is a Chartered Management Accountant and was previously a management consultant at Deloitte and The Social Investment Consultancy. Nicola lives in Ewell with her young family and is excited to be supporting the growth and development of this brilliant local venture.
Johnny Dowden
Facilities
Johnny is our Facilities Co-Ordinator.
He has lived in Epsom since the mid-1980s, when he worked on the Epsom and Ewell Herald, sometimes reporting on the winding down of the “Epsom Cluster”, the group of hospitals which included Horton.
After calling time on a 35-year career in journalism - in local radio, as a producer at Thames News and ITN, and as an Output Editor at Sky News - Johnny looks after the maintenance of our historic building, and the ongoing development of our facilities.
Fabia Bonfanti
Operations and Marketing Assistant
Fabia is our Operations and Marketing Assistant. She is a recent Film Studies graduate from the University of Kent. She has previously worked as a Media Assistant at Rosebery School and with content creation companies such as LADbible. She is Epsom-born and bred and is delighted to be part of the Horton Arts Centre team.
Martin Gilvary
Chef
Martin has been working kitchens and hospitality since 2006. Born in Epsom, he has led kitchens in London, throughout the home counties and across the south coast delivering homemade classics, fresh seasonal specials and catering events of all kinds. If you like to dine out locally, chances are that you have already enjoyed his food elsewhere, he is excited to bring everything he has learnt to what he believes to be Epsom and Ewell's most exciting and innovative venue.
Charity Trustees
Andrea Stokes
Trustee
Andrea has worked in senior fundraising roles for major UK charities for the past twelve years, following a move from the private sector, where she worked in corporate sales for brands such as O2 and Experian. She currently works for the Science Museum Group and as a freelance fundraising consultant. Living in Stoneleigh, Andrea has recently completed an MA in medieval history, her love of history inspiring her involvement with The Horton.
Elaine Sharpe
Chair of Trustees
Elaine worked for PwC for 29 years, with her most recent role being in compliance and risk management. As a lover of the arts, and having stepped away from the corporate world, she wishes to share this passion with the local community and is delighted to be part of this exciting chapter of The Horton’s journey. Elaine has lived in Epsom since 2004 and has volunteered at The Horton since its opening.
Elaine enjoys singing with a local community choir, making craft projects, spending time with her family and friends and walking her dog round Horton Country Park.
Graham Saunders
Trustee
Graham is a social history graduate and a chartered surveyor. Partner in a large property consultancy firm and a resident of Livingstone Park for over 13 years, Graham has a keen interest in bringing the building and grounds back into use, combining his property expertise and history interests with an enthusiasm for local community engagement.
Steve Trimm
Trustee
Steve began his career working for the Conran Design Group on iconic London restaurants Quaglino’s and Le Pont de la Tour, Paris fashion house Lanvin and the 1992 World Expo in Seville. He has led creative projects around the globe for clients such as British Airways and now practices as a freelance designer and visiting lecturer.
A Surrey resident, he is the creator of The Horton brand identity and designer for the permanent heritage exhibition.
Rachel Clarke
Trustee
Rachel has worked in Human Resources for more than 25 years, in professional and financial services, and currently works for a large insurer in the The City. She has lived in Epsom since 2002.
Rachel has a professional interest in culture and inclusion as well as a personal love of the creative and performing arts and is delighted to be able to bring both to her involvement with The Horton.
Trading Subsidiary DIRECTORS
Ian Witcombe
Ian serves on the board of our trading subsidiary. He spent 20 years in banking, then 22 years in the charity sector, before retiring in 2023.
At charity, the Money Advice Trust, Ian worked as Deputy Chief Executive, Director of Corporate Services and Company Secretary. He was also a trustee for the CornerHouse community arts centre, Surbiton, in 2000.
Ian is experienced in governance, regulatory and legal matters, finance and HR.
As well as supporting the trading subsidiary he is keen to help The Horton in its offer to the community and promoting wellbeing though creativity.
Ian lives in Epsom with his wife.
Graham Saunders
Graham is trustee of the charity, as well as a director of the subsidiary. He is a social history graduate and a chartered surveyor. He has been a resident of Livingstone Park for over 13 years.
Maria Reeves
Maria is Director of The Horton Arts Centre and one of the co-founders of the charity, previously serving five years as a trustee 2016-2021.
She is an executive member of the Trading Subsidiary Board.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CURRENT VOLUNTEERS, WHO CONTRIBUTE SO MUCH TO THE SUCCESS OF THE HORTON
THANKS ALSO TO THE CONTRIBUTION OF FORMER TRUSTEES:
Ian Reeves, who served seven years as founding charity trustee and former chair; Rupert Salmon, founding trustee who served eight years as Secretary; Kirstie Arnould, founding trustee who served five years.
Also, Gayle Young, Yemisi Mokuolu, Claire Harris, Janice Heyes, Kandia Appadoo, Hugo Van Maasakkers, Sophie Wiles, Phil Humphrey, Sean Kelly, Lionel Blackman, George Cardwell, Sarah Dewing, David Gulland, Nick Barry and Julian Waters.
Heritage partners:
Jeremy Harte (Bourne Hall Museum) and Julian Pooley (Surrey History Centre).
Funders :
The capital renovation and associated projects (2016-2022) were funded by: National Heritage Lottery Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund, Power to Change, Community Foundation for Surrey, Viridor Credits, #IWillFund, Surrey County Council Member’s Allocation, Tesco, Toyota, Co-op Community Causes, Tru Vue and private donations. Epsom & Ewell Borough Council have facilitated match-funding from Section 106 contributions from the companies who redeveloped the former hospital sites.
Renovation:
Architectural design and conversion of the building was led by Crane Associates.
Design of the cafe-bar space by Highly Creative Minds.
Branding and exhibition design by Steve Trimm.
Exhibition build by Limelight Designs.
