Trustees
Established in 2007, the Reece Foundation’s primary mission is to enhance the long-term and sustainable prosperity of the north east of England. Our core focus lies in the promotion of engineering and manufacturing, aiming to increase education in STEM subjects. Additionally, we prioritise support for training in engineering skills and the creation of employment opportunities.
The Foundation is also keenly aware of the role access to nature and the protection of wild places have on the well-being of the region – and the nation as a whole. Recently, we have extended our support to significant rewilding initiatives in the North East, aligning with our commitment to the environment.
At the Reece Foundation, our trustees play a vital role in safeguarding our organisation’s best interests. They set the strategy, make critical decisions, and provide oversight to ensure the effective operation of our charitable activities. In doing this they are making decisions that will impact on people’s lives and making a difference to the north east region.
By promoting engineering and manufacturing, we seek to inspire the creation of more educational and employment opportunities. By protecting and enhancing the environment we seek to improve the well-being of the area for people and for wildlife. Our goal is to contribute to the prosperity and growth of the community while fostering a culture of innovation and progress.
Meet the team
The Reece Foundation is an independent charity and has a board of trustees and one full time member of staff.
Anne Reece
Chair
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Anne Reece
Chair
Anne Reece serves as the Chair of the Reece Foundation bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. Anne has been a Non-Exec Director and shareholder of Reece Group for the past nine years. Previously she was Finance Director of SMD and Bywell Holdings Group for 15 years. She contributed her expertise as a member on the Investment Committee of One North East Regional Development Agency for four years.
Anne’s personal philanthropy has centred on conservation, wildlife and environmental charities particularly in the Himalayas, and development and disability charities. Having moved to Aberdeen in 2006 Anne is involved in several organisations in Scotland, most notably Citizens Advice Bureau.
"As trustees, we hope the projects we support provide a great legacy for the region, and in turn inspire the creation of more educational and employment opportunities through the promotion of engineering and manufacturing. Together we play a fundamental part in informing and inspiring people across the north east about the important role engineering and manufacturing plays in transforming lives. In addition we are aware that we are fortunate to live in a very beautiful and wild region and we will help ensure that this beauty and wildness is protected and enhanced and is able to be enjoyed by everyone."
Roy Sandbach
Trustee
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Roy Sandbach
Trustee
Ella joined the Foundation as a trustee in 2025 and is a member of the Reece family. She is a solicitor and splits her time between London and Newcastle. Having grown up in the North East, Ella takes great pride in her roots and is passionate about environmental causes, in particular the regeneration of the UK’s green spaces and the accessibility of nature for all.
Prior to her appointment as a trustee, Ella assisted with the administration of the Foundation and has been implementing new systems to support the Foundation in continuing to operate efficiently.
Simon Gilroy
Trustee
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Simon Gilroy
Trustee
Simon joined the Foundation as a trustee in 2007.
He grew up in the North East and after studying applied and pure maths, physics and chemistry at A ‘level became a graduate of Sheffield University with a first-class degree in mechanical engineering with sponsorship from the UK MoD, before returning to the North East and working for the Reece family for more than 20 years.
Ella Cornish
Trustee
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Ella Cornish
Trustee
Ella joined the Foundation as a trustee in 2025 and is a member of the Reece family. She is a solicitor and splits her time between London and Newcastle. Having grown up in the North East, Ella takes great pride in her roots and is passionate about environmental causes, in particular the regeneration of the UK’s green spaces and the accessibility of nature for all.
Prior to her appointment as a trustee, Ella assisted with the administration of the Foundation and has been implementing new systems to support the Foundation in continuing to operate efficiently.
Sheelagh Craven
Administrator
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Sheelagh Craven
Administrator
Sheelagh joined the Foundation in October 2025.
She has previously worked in several different sectors including higher education, at universities of Durham, Leeds and Northumbria managing grant funded projects, within the charity sector at Mencap and most recently as the accountant at a manufacturing company in Northumberland.
Sheelagh is also a trustee at Gateway into the Community, a charity supporting people with a learning disability based in Northumberland.
