The Fundraising Team

Our Appeal Board Members

  • Councillor John Barnes MBE – East Sussex County Councillor Rother North West
  • Simon Compton – Captain, Rye Golf Club
  • Mike Eve – founder Rye Kino Cinema
  • Councillor Sally-Ann Hart – Rother District Councillor for Eastern Rother and Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure & the Public Realm
  • Jacqui Lait – former MP for Hastings & Rye
  • Frank Langrish – Farmer & Council Member of the National Farmer’s Union
  • Sue Learoyd-Smith – Operations Team Leader, Care for the Carers
  • Anthony Lloyd – Chairman, Rye Harbour Local Nature Reserve Management Committee
  • Hamish Monro – Diversified farmer, & Chairman of the WARR Partnership
  • Nigel Wilkinson QC – Barrister
  • Zoe Wilmoth – Company Secretary of Wilmoths Holdings, leading SE car dealership

Alastair Fairley Chair of the Fundraising Appeal Board

Alastair has held positions on a wide range of public and community interest bodies, including co-chairing the Hastings & St Leonards Local Strategic Partnership. His involvement with the development of the Discovery Centre has been central since its inception, both as a member of the Appeal Board and in his role as consultant. "Anyone who visits knows that Rye Harbour is a special place. Its light is extraordinary. The wildlife it supports is exceptional. Its peace and tranquillity offer a moment’s respite in a busy world. Having a Discovery Centre will make a visit even more interesting – every time I go I learn something new."

Kim Deshayes Appeal Director

Kim has 30 years’ experience of working in a senior fundraising, marketing and senior management capacity in the voluntary, education and leisure sectors. He first discovered the wonders of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve when he and his family came to live nearby 15 years ago. Kim became involved with the Discovery Centre because "I always try to engage in projects where I have a personal as well as a professional interest. And, as we enter the final phase of the Appeal, I’m beginning to allow myself to think about how exciting it will be when it’s completed. Having a world-class nature reserve, with a state of the art visitor centre virtually on my doorstep, is definitely something to be thankful for."