ABOUT US
PATRON
The Rt Hon Baroness May of Maidenhead
Maidenhead's MP for 27 years, a former Home Secretary and Prime Minister, Theresa May has been a keen supporter of the waterway plans from inception, recognising them as central to the town's ongoing regeneration. She closely follows progress and regularly visits, as well as helping to celebrate each major stage as it is completed.
FOUNDING PATRON
Sir Nicholas Winton MBE
Sir Nicholas, who sadly passed away in 2015 at the amazing age of 106 years old, was a long term resident of Maidenhead and joined the group at its formation. He was best known publicly for his war time exploits, when he was responsible for organising the rescue of hundreds of mainly Jewish Czech children from Nazi death camps prior to the outbreak of World War II.
TRUSTEES
Chair: Richard Davenport
Chartered Management Accountant (Fellow), worked in various industries (automotive, steel and telecoms) and a former engineer.
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Secretary: Alasdair Turner
Former Business Development Manager and account Manager, now retired. Has lived in Maidenhead for past 34 years.
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Treasurer: Mark Loader
Business analyst, Chartered Management Accountant, former IT SAP consultant.
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Trustee: Ian Caird
Retired Chartered Building Engineer and Surveyor, Project Manager and experienced land manager - Channel Clearance and Projects Coordinator.
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Trustee: Dominic Hurst
Film producer, media consultant. Former senior producer, BBC News.​
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Trustee: Alasdair Pettigrew
Chartered Engineer and former Managing Director at Plexus Planning Ltd; previously a Senior Software Sales Manager at IBM
MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE TEAM
Ian Caird - Chairman
Alasdair Turner - Safety group lead
David Allen - Equipment
Ian Rose
Mick Jarvis - Risk Assessment
Dominic Hurst
Nicola Stingelin - Health & Safety
Mark Loader
Tim Waggett - corporate events (also
fundraising lead - see below)
SPECIAL ADVISERS
Professor Ed Gallagher, CBE
Former Chief Executive of the Environment Agency and also the National River Authority, Ed brings vast experience to the group and provides national level strategic advice. Professor Gallagher is a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water Environment Management and received his CBE for services to the environment in 2001.
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John Morgan
Retired Civil Engineer, previously involved in flood plain work. John led the engineering thinking behind the restoration of the waterways, and continued to lead the Technical group until his retirement from the project in 2024.
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Paul Wagstaffe, MBE
Vice President of the Inland Waterways Association, Chairman of the Inland Navigation Committee for the Royal Yachting Association, a Member of Thames Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee of the Environment Agency and Secretary of the Thames Boating Traders Association.
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Dan Evans
Adviser on Environmental Management of the waterway. Dan holds a Biology degree and an MSc in Aquatic Resources Management, is an Associate member of the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment and a qualified CEEQUAL Assessor. He presently works for the Taylor Woodrow division of the Vinci Group, as Environment Manager for the Balfour Beatty-Vinci joint venture that is delivering the eastern M4 Smart Motorway project.
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OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS/ADVISORS
Tim Waggett - fundraising
Former IT Sales Manager, recently retired. Has lived in Maidenhead since 1993.
Barry Hatch
Former Chartered Civil Engineer with experience on marine works tunnels and motorway projects, before becoming MD for a family building business
Richard Curry
Project Cost/Budget Adviser and Independent Examiner, a Chartered Management Accountant
MAJOR SPONSORS
Heathrow Community Trust - has given us a grant to widen access to the York Stream by providing free community events to share the waterway with others. These include monthly free boat trips, charity boat trips, free walking tours and canoe trips.
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Paddle UK - sponsored our first Maidenhead PaddleFest event in June 2025, a celebration of canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding on York Stream
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Summerleaze Limited - our founding sponsor and a major source of expertise on the geology of the area. Summerleaze is a family-owned company based in the Thames Valley. Its operations include gravel extraction, waste disposal and renewable energy. Summerleaze funded the initial technical feasibility work undertaken by consultants Black & Veatch, who helped to develop the technical design of the waterways and associated works.
The Louis Baylis Charitable Trust (Maidenhead Advertiser) Owner of the Maidenhead Advertiser and a valued donor to many local community groups. We are grateful for the Trust's commitment to the project and for its ongoing support of our operations. You can read about the Trust and its work at http://www.whytheadvertiserisspecial.co.uk
The Shanly Foundation Charitable arm of the major regional house builder, which helped to fund the Environmental Impact Assessment work undertaken for MW by Golder Associates as part of the planning application.
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Get Living Build-to-rent operator that creates large-scale residential neighbourhoods with a focus on community. Since 2013, the company has developed and managed thousands of homes across the UK, including the new development at One Maidenhead in the heart of the town.
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Orbis Investments (UK) Ltd, a privately owned investment company, have been a generous funder for some of the charity's more challenging projects.
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Christopher Ward based on Bell Street in Maidenhead, offers Swiss-made watches at accessible prices by selling directly online. Known for combining English design with Swiss engineering, the brand is popular among enthusiasts and collectors for its value and innovation.
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Tesco Stronger Starts is a community grant programme supporting local schools and charities in the UK. Funded through the in-store blue token vote, it helps provide nutritious food and activities for children, supporting their physical health and mental wellbeing.
Special thanks to Frimley Health and Care who awarded the charity a £5,000 grant in 2023 in recognition of the health and wellness benefits of the project.
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Special thanks to Stanley Black & Decker (who are now based on bridge Avenue, right next to York Stream) for kind donations of de Walt power tools.
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​​​​​​Further Sponsors Needed:
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If you share our vision for restoring the waterways in Maidenhead town centre to being a major public amenity where people and wildlife can happily co-exist, please consider becoming a sponsor or member to help progress further stages of the project. We would appreciate support of any kind. Please contact us by email or by post at our registered office (see below) marked: For attention of Richard Davenport, Chair of the Trustees.