The Trustees hold overall responsibility for our organisation. They play a vital role, they volunteer their time and working together to make important decisions about our charity’s work.

Tim Bruton (Chair), Peter Townley, Cathy Powell, Karen Tatlow, Emma Payne and Barrie Hodge.

Tim Bruton, Chair

I have lived in Birmingham all my life and currently live less than one mile from Martineau Gardens. I have been a Chartered Accountant since 2003 and currently work in industry (Jaguar Land Rover) as a finance manager. I am married with a teenage son. I joined Martineau as an opportunity to share my finance expertise with a group of people who make life better in a myriad different ways. I feel I have gained more from the Gardens than I have contributed and know that the Gardens prove everyone has something to offer.

Emma Payne, Trustee

I am the business Development manager for Birmingham PlayCare Network (BPCN).  We are the Play Association for the city of Birmingham, championing the child’s right to play.  A registered charity, since 1995, we have been supporting playcare settings to celebrate innovation in play whilst promoting the importance of a playful childhood in families and across communities.

I have worked in Early Years all of my career and predominantly in the voluntary sector.

It is my passion to support all children to have a play-rich childhood. 

‘We don’t stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.’
George Bernard Shaw

I’ve known and been a visitor to the gardens for around 10 years, and loved the opportunity it provides for local people who may not have a green space at home to be able to feel part of such a wonderful green space.

Barrie Hodge, Trustee

I have worked in the charity sector for over a decade. I am currently head of fundraising and communications at St Basils, a charity working with young people experiencing homelessness in the West Midlands. Prior to this, I had a career in the media industry, working for a variety of commercial radio stations throughout the UK.

I’ve always been passionate about the impact local charities have on the communities they serve. Martineau is a prime example of that. A small charity doing big things. The support they provide to their volunteers has always inspired me, and when I was asked to join the board, I didn’t hesitate. To be part of something as special as this is truly humbling and I hope I can bring a level of expertise and experience that helps drive the charity forward.

Peter Townley MBE, Trustee

I am a retired management consultant with a long record of holding senior board positions in business and international trade organisations during a career in industry. I served as a Trustee and Director of a number of charities across the West Midlands for almost 40 consecutive years, supporting and managing charities actively  providing services to individuals living with mental health, learning and physical disabilities.

Cathy Powell, Trustee

I have lived in Birmingham for most of my adult life and I have been a Chartered Accountant for over 10 years. I currently work as a Treasury Manager in the automotive industry.  

Martineau Gardens provides a green haven enabling people to connect with nature in the heart of a big city and I wanted to take the opportunity to share my finance skills and experience to help support the great work that the organisation does. 

Karen Tatlow, Trustee
BSc (Hons) Arch, Dip PSGD (Dist), RHS Cert.

I create bespoke garden designs with the personal touch and designs that resonate with my client’s lifestyles. I’ve always been creative, from dance in my earlier years, to studying architecture and interior design. I’m also a professional make up artist, which led me into the corporate world, devising creative business solutions for Estee Lauder, Clarins and LVMH.

Since following my passion and qualifying with a distinction in Garden Design, I have been creating unique gardens with a strong sense of space, that sit elegantly and easily in their location. Through my work, I have come to appreciate how important nature and outdoor spaces are to our wellbeing and health, both physical and mental. I am looking forward to working with Martineau Gardens and contributing to the vital work they do within the community.