Trustees
Jonathan Dunn - Chair
Jonathan was bought up in Belfast. He graduated from Aston University in 1984, and has worked in construction ever since. He is the managing director of J P Dunn Construction Ltd. The company was established in 1999 and currently has a turnover exceeding £40m a year.
The company has a strong reputation for training apprentices and providing work for ex-offenders. Jonathan has a passion for bringing people through his business irrespective of their level of entry and helping them to forge a successful career in construction.
Jonathan is married to Orla who helped him in setting up the charity. They have lived in the borough since 1993 and have two sons.
Outside of his work he was until recently the Chair and chief sponsor of his local rugby club, Thamesians RFC, where he was the driving force in setting up a successful women’s team.
Jonathan is also a trustee of Surplus to Supper – a charity that aims to bridge the gap between food waste and food poverty.
Jonathan set up the Udney Park Playing Fields Foundation several years ago, with the objective of purchasing 12.5 acres of playing fields for community use and has managed to bring together all national sporting bodies and numerous community clubs in support of this effort
Hopefully Jonathan’s skills in setting up and running his own business will be of value in advising the Foundation as they continue to develop and grow.
Mark Smith – Treasurer
Mark is a father of 2 boys, aged 13 & 16, currently living in Hampshire, both his boys being educated at Teddington School. Mark was a Twickenham resident from 1998 to 2016 and became Treasurer of Thamesians Rugby Club in 2014. At Thamesians he has been responsible for fund raising and sponsorship to support the playing of the game. Mark was also Treasurer of Old Cranleighan Hockey Club between 2014 to 2018. Originally from Coventry and an alumnus of Coventry School before graduating from University of Kent with a degree in Accountancy and Computing. At university Mark was a key member of the UKC Sports Federation supporting the running of all sports at the university. Mark played hockey at international level representing his country from U16 through to senior international and has played for National Premier League Clubs Bourneville and Canterbury before retiring from top level hockey and playing at local clubs Old Cranleighan HC and Surbiton. Mark also played cricket for local clubs in Coventry playing in the top regional league.
Mark has been in IT Sales, Service and Management for 25 years covering all sectors and multiple solution areas from Software & Service providers. He has worked for Microsoft since 2004 and is currently responsible for global strategy and execution of the Azure Infrastructure including responsibility for 200 diversely skilled staff, and accountability for revenue.
Kath Ezzeldine - schools and colleges liaison
As a talented sportswoman, Kath graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Sports Science and a PGCE in Physical Education. She taught PE in local schools for 13 years and then after a short career break moved into Initial Teacher Training. Kath is currently a senior lecturer in Physical Education, and she is the Programme Lead for Primary Education with QTS at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. Kath is a strong advocate of the benefits of physical education and physical activity not only for physical and social development, but for the contribution they make to personal and mental wellbeing.
Kath lives in Teddington and she has three children. They attended local schools and between them were members of football, hockey, netball and athletics clubs. Kath was a governor of a primary school in Twickenham for 12 years, including being the Chair of Governors for 2 years.
Philip Barnes – legal advisor
Philip read Civil Engineering at Bristol University before qualifying as a chartered Civil Engineer. He then took an external law degree with London University and qualified as a solicitor and specializes in all aspects of construction law.
Philip has provided legal advice to all sides of the construction industry and brings this legal expertise to the Board of the Foundation to help ensure appropriate governance, compliance with its Charitable obligations and correct legal relations with other parties.
Philip lives in Teddington, and both his sons attend school locally. Philip enjoys supporting them at rugby, football and cricket and is keenly aware of the shortage of, and so urgent need for, additional playing field space in the Borough, particularly for amateur sport at all ages, abilities and levels. Faithful to the Land of His Fathers and the land of his birth, he is a keen supported of Welsh Rugby – something of a rollercoaster ride in recent times.
Philip has been involved in the fight to save Udney Park Playing Fields from development and is a founding member of the Udney Park Playing Fields Trust set up in 2017. The Trust helped fight to gain Local Green Space designation (equivalent to Green Belt) for the Fields and was represented at the 10-day planning appeal where the previous owner sought (and failed) to overturn planning policy and build over 100 flats on the Fields.
Jat Mistry
Jat was born 1977, in Ashton-Under-Lyne, the year of the Silver Jubilee, to first generation Indian parents. He is the eldest of 3 brothers who all attended a C of E primary school.
Jat graduated from Leeds Met University, before moving to London in 2000 where he met his wife. They have 3 boys all heavily involved with local community sport. Jat is employed in the banking industry.
Jat is a passionate about sport and a lifelong Manchester United fan. He became a football coach at Hearts of Teddlothian after his first son was born, and has been the cornerstone of Hearts growing success, acting as club chairman for the past seven years. Under Jat’s leadership the club has rapidly expanded over recent years and is proud to have bought people together, and introduced children into a sport that nurtures lifelong friendships, and both physical and mental health. Jat’s ethos is mirrored by a great set of volunteer coaches, referees, parents and of course the kids.
