Rochester Cathedral Business Guild

Businesses will benefit from association with the cathedral's prestigious name, location and reputation within Kent and Medway. The Guild will provide members with opportunities for entertaining customers, suppliers or staff in a unique setting through a variety of events and networking functions. It will attract high-profile speakers and stimulate ideas on business practice and ethics.

Download the Business Guild 2011 flier here for more information on the Guild and how you and your business can join for only £200 per year.

The outgoing Dean of Rochester, The Rt Revd Adrian Newman, Bishop of Stepney said, "The Business Guild has quickly established itself as a credible and engaging forum for business leaders across North Kent. Become a member and share in the success of this original and innovative programme".

Further information available from Lynne Bax at development@rochestercathedral.org or telephone 01634 810074.

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Steering Group Members

Chairman - John A Spence OBE DL

John Spence trained as an Engineer but has held a number of diverse appointments both before and since early retirement, including Education, and was formally Chairman of Mid Kent College and a Council Member of Kent University (Chairman of Audit). A non exec Chairman / Director various small private companies, non exec  Director Radio Invicta 1995-2000. He served in local Government (1961-93) first on Gillingham Council then on Kent County Council holding key chairmanships (including Finance) and political appointments. At National he chaired the Local Government Finance Committee of the Association of County Councils and served on Home Office and other departmental committees. He is a past Chairman of the Kent Police Authority.

In the Health Service from 1987—1997 he chaired first the Medway Health Authority and the Kent Ambulance Service and then the Medway NHS Hospital Trust. He is Chairman of Rochester Cathedral Council and is a Cathedral Trustee; a board member of Rochester Bridge Trust and Chatham Historic Dockyard and was Chairman of Master Ropemakers Limited. He has a number of charitable interests. Deputy Lieutenant of Kent 2001, OBE 2005 (services to Heritage), Hon. DCL Kent University, Hon.Fellow Southbank University.

Ann West MBE JP DL

Retired Deputy Headteacher; retired Magistrate, former Chairman of the North Kent Bench, represented the South East on the National Bench Chairmans` Forum; former Chairman of the IMB at Cookham Wood Prison; former International Service Project Co-ordinator; Guardian of Round Square (a group of over 70 schools worldwide).

David Ward

Managing Director of Ward Security responsible for identifying, developing and directing the implementation of business strategy to continue the success of the Company through effective leadership and management.

A member of the Institute of Directors (IOD) ; Achieved the IOD Certificate in Company Direction in April 2004.
Named Kent Business Person of the Year in 2006.
A member of the Medway Business Awards Steering Group 2008 – 2010; A member of the Dartford and Gravesham Business Awards Steering Group 2009 – 2010; A member of the Young Dragons Steering Group 2009 – 2011; Chairman of The Headcorn Association of Trade.

Martin Lukehurst

Managing Director of long established family furnishing company Gerald Lukehurst of Rainham and Sittingbourne and a Deputy Chairman of national furnishing buying group Minerva, based in Bath. Former chairman of Gillingham Football Club. Currently is president of Gore Court Cricket and Hockey Club and former county hockey player and a playing member of the M.C.C. A Freeman of the City of London and a Livery member of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. An active Rotarian. 

Alan Bates OBE BEd

Company Director, Anchor Signmakers. Chairman of The Chatham Historic Dockyard Volunteer Service. Trustee of AgeUK Medway.
Previously Director of External Affairs Lewisham College; Head of the School of Construction and the Built Environment Lewisham College; Royal Naval Port Auxiliary Officer Thames and Medway (Royal Naval Port Headquarters London). Senior Surveyor and Construction Contracts Manager E. Bayliss London.
Interests, gardening and rowing.

Patron - Sir Brandon Gough DL

Chartered accountant, formerly chairman of the following: Coopers & Lybrand, Yorkshire Water, De La Rue, Higher Education Funding Council for England, Review Body for Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration. Currently Chancellor, University of East Anglia; Chairman Leeds Castle and Locate in Kent; Trustee, Canterbury Cathedral Trust.

"It is a privilege to be associated with the Rochester Cathedral Business Guild. Working together with the cathedral and the business community can make a real difference to the well being and prosperity of the people of Kent."