About Us
History of
The Norman Garon Trust
The Norman Garon Trust, founded in 1982, evolved from broad charitable aims into a focused commitment to sport, community and opportunity.
It now plays a key role in developing and operating Garon Park’s sports facilities, including cricket, football, golf, netball and paddle tennis.
Alongside infrastructure, the Trust supports bursaries and inclusive community programmes that promote health, wellbeing and access to sport for all.
Our Mission
The Norman Garon Trust is committed to reinvesting in the community by supporting charitable organisations that work with young people, helping to develop ambition, leadership and personal growth.
Alongside this, the Trust places strong emphasis on environmental stewardship, investing in woodlands, wildlife habitats and green spaces at Garon Park.
Recent initiatives include planting 7,000 trees, reflecting a long-term vision for a healthier, more connected future.
Philip Tolhurst
Trustee Chairman
Hear from Philip Tolhurst, Chairman of the Norman Garon Trust, explain a little about the history of the organisation and it's objectives for the future.
Philip Tolhurst
Trustee Chairman
Hear from Philip Tolhurst, Chairman of the Norman Garon Trust, explain a little about the history of the organisation and it's objectives for the future.
Meet Our Team
Karl Hepple
CEO
Karl joined the Trust on 1st April 2024 from Stoke by Nayland Resort, where he has held the position of Director of Golf & Leisure for the past 5 years.
His affiliation with sport, health and wellbeing became apparent early in his childhood where after playing multiple sports, he became golf obsessed. It wasn’t long before he took his passion one step further and began the journey of transitioning his sporting hobbies into a career.
15 years later, Karl now joins the Trust with a vast experience, and an ever growing desire to help others benefit from health, wellbeing and sporting activities.
Philip Tolhurst
Trustee
Philip Tolhurst has been involved and successfully managed the Fowler, Smith, and Jones Trusts since 1980.
In 1988 he helped establish and became a founding Trustee of the Norman Garon Trust, and in 1992 conceived and then oversaw the establishment of Garon Park Southend-on-Sea. He is the current Chair of Trustees. Also in 1988 he co-founded the Raleigh Trust which took over the work of Operation Raleigh, and after three years as Managing Trustee was appointed Chair in 1991 a position, he held for a further 14 years.
Bob Bye
Trustee
Bob Bye has been involved in the Accountancy profession for over 35 years and is a Qualified Chartered Tax Advisor and until recently a partner in Masons Chartered Accountants before its recent merger with Buckley Watson Ltd, where he now acts as a Consultant.
Bob has been involved with Essex Scouts all his life, both as a Young Person and as an Adult Volunteer for over 40 years, in which position he is currently the Lead Volunteer for Essex Scouts.
Michael Hughes
Trustee
Michael Hughes is a Chartered Surveyor and auctioneer by day, and a weekend farmer where he combines his twin passions of conservation and diversification.
He supports a number of charities and has served as a Trustee on the Norman Garon Trust for nearly 20 years. He is a former Chairman of the Essex Agricultural Society, President of the Essex Agricultural Valuers and continues as Secretary of the Rochford Hundred Agricultural Society.
Paul Stennett
Trustee
Paul Stennett is a career banker, having worked for NatWest Bank for 42 years, latterly as the Head of Credit Risk Systems in the Head Office Credit Function, responsible for the management, development and support of a global credit risk system with teams operating across three continents until his retirement at the end of 2019.
Paul has been a lifelong Scout, progressing from being a Cub through to a Venture Scout and eventually an Adult Volunteer Leader and local chair of trustees. He has been Chairman of Essex Scouts since 1996.
Richard Furlonger
Trustee
Richard Furlonger, qualified at the Royal Agricultural College in the 1970's and took a Master Degree in Business Administration before a change of career from farming to property development in the early 1990's.
Although still involved commercially in the property sector, he spends time on charitable work. In addition to his involvement with the Norman Garon Trust, he sits as a Trustee to Fowler Smith & Jones Trust, an Essex based grant making charity, and Success after Stroke, a Suffolk based charity providing support to stroke survivors.
3rd Floor
Marlborough House
Victoria Street South
Chelmsford
Essex. CM1 1LN
Tel: 01245 809 899
Email: info@normangarontrust.co.uk
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