Colin Ablitt (Chairman)
Colin is a long standing Trustee of Conduit Lands and has held two terms of chairmanship. He spent some ten years as a Lichfield District Councillor during which time he was cabinet member responsible for the commissioning of the Garrick Theatre. He was founding chairman of the Lichfield Mysteries and played a number of key roles in both the District and County Scouting administration. He is now retired having spent the latter working years with Birmingham City Council.
Elizabeth Hindley (Vice Chair)
Elizabeth has had a 30 year career in banking predominantly responsible for the development, delivery and governance of banking products. Latterly she worked with HM Treasury in the development and operationalisation of new government initiatives to promote and encourage people to save.
Since retiring she has supported the family bakery business in Lichfield. During lockdown she helped establish a click & collect and home delivery service to ensure customers still had their supply of bread and cakes!
With her long association with Lichfield and the family bakery links, which go back 130 years, it seems appropriate to take on the trustee role for the Conduit Lands Trust.
Kate Greening
Kate has lived in Lichfield since 1984 and is known for her warm, dependable nature and strong desire to help others. She began her career as a wages clerk before moving into roles as a computer systems trainer and, later, a business analyst.
She is a proud mother of three grown-up children and enjoys travelling, gardening, and DIY in her spare time. She volunteered as an NHS Volunteer Responder until June 2025 when it was disbanded, she made a meaningful contribution to her community.
Always going above and beyond, Kate lives by the motto: “To do more than is necessary.”
Kirsty Jones
Kirsty was appointed as a Trustee in 2021. She is a Science teacher at a local school, with an interest in building children’s confidence through learning. She has been a member of Lichfield Ladies Circle since 2012, supporting local events through volunteering opportunities. She has enjoyed raising money for many local and national charities.
Kirsty admires the Trust’s commitment to the young people of Lichfield, and looks forward to supporting the Trust in its future work.
David Kershaw
David was born at The Victoria Hospital in 1967. He grew up in Lichfield, attending St. Michael’s and King Edward VI schools. He then gained an OND in Technology at Stafford College, followed by a sponsored degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering with the Ministry of Defence, at University College of North Wales, Bangor. He returned to Lichfield in 1989 and has since run the family garage business in the centre of town, which celebrated ninety years of service in 2022.
David actively encourages apprenticeships at his work and is keen to educate and train young people in his business. Away from work, he has cycled on various challenges to raise money for Marie Curie Hospice, Solihull. David is very proud and enthusiastic to support the Trust in all ways that will benefit others.
Thomas Roach
Tom was appointed as Trustee in 2011. He is married with two daughters who between them have four energetic grandchildren and he has lived in Lichfield since 1990. Tom has nearly forty years experience working in human resources and has headed HR departments across a number of sectors including financial services, IT consulting, medical devices and an independent school.
Tom has been a magistrate since 1996.
Outside of work, he has an eclectic mix of interests from food and drink, travelling, reading, music and running.
John Russell
John has been a trustee of the charity since joining as Mayor in September 1985. He served on the City Council for eleven years.
He is a retired stockbroker and he sits on a number of charities in Lichfield and Birmingham.
John hopes that, with his years of charity experience and his business and financial background, he can make a positive contribution to the charity.
Andrew Smith
Andy is a Board Director of two software companies, having a hands on role in founding and running both businesses. He is a local Lichfield City and District Councillor having been both Mayor and Sheriff and currently sitting on the cabinet of the District Council responsible for Leisure and Open Spaces. He has been involved with local government in Lichfield since May 2011. Andy has also been a school Governor, firstly at the Friary School, and now at King Edward VI School Lichfield since 2012.
Betty Twivey
A long-term member of the Trust, Betty served as chairman from 2016 – 2019.
Resident in Lichfield since 1976, she has been involved with several organisations, over the years, including assisting with the Red Cross Library trolley at St Michael’s, the setting up of the Lichfield Talking Newspaper and a stint as treasurer of Christ Church Lichfield PCC.
Currently she helps with sales of poppies for Remembrance Day and is a committee member of Amici d’Italia.
Betty enjoyed a long and fulfilling career in education and is thus pleased that one of the main aims of the Trust is advancement of the education of young people.