Mary Guppy – Chairman of the Trustees
Mary has been involved with QMCG for 25 years, served on the Executive Committee and was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2020. She has been a volunteer for the RDA for 40 years – 30 of those years as Chair of the local branch. She has also served 10 years on the local NSPCC committee and 8 years as Governor of the local Grammar School. Mary is currently Chair of the local PCC and is heading a campaign to save The Feilding Palmer Cottage Hospital in Lutterworth.
Sharon Stewart – Hon Treasurer
Sharon Stewart has been a dedicated member of the Guild since 2005 and joined the Board of Trustees as Hon. Treasurer on 1st January, 2015. Elected to the Executive Committee in 2011, Sharon brings a wealth of experience in financial stewardship and governance to the charity.
With a distinguished career spanning 20 years in the insurance industry working for Lloyd’s brokers, Sharon successfully manages and resolves high value and intricate claims, ensuring that clients receive the best possible support throughout the process.
Sharon is widely respected for her deep insights into effective claims management and her ability to navigate the complexities of the reinsurance industry. She has contributed to several industry working groups and leads teams focused on emerging risks, including climate change, technological advancements and cyber threats.
Diana Dix
Diana was introduced to QMCG via her sister, Jennifer Looker, 19 years ago and has served as a President since 2017. Diana trained and worked as a nurse at Guy’s Hospital, after which she moved and worked for the Red Cross in Nigeria. Upon moving back to the UK, Diana continued working as a nurse in various roles, including onset support nurse working at Shepperton Studios.
Diana has been actively involved and held roles at multiple charities. Most recently, Trustee for Elmhurst Farm Trust, Fundraiser for Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal on Hayling Island and supporting the local community Dementia Friends group, part of the Alzheimer’s Society Charity.
Sallie Hawkins
A qualified solicitor, Sallie worked in law and legal recruitment before a career break to raise her family. She has been involved with the Guild for a number of years and served on the Executive Committee from 2018 to 2021. She was fascinated to discover more about the history of the Guild whilst helping to develop the new website. She particularly enjoys visiting the charities we support, hearing about the wonderful work they do and finding out how we can support them.
Julia Knight
Julia Knight was introduced to the QMCG by her aunt, Mary Newman, herself a lifelong friend and neighbour to fellow supporter, Jane Fitzgerald. Starting as a volunteer on their linen stand in 2011, she then became stallholder and subsequently served on the Executive Committee from 2017 to 2021. Julia joined the Board of Trustees in 2022. Outside of her QMCG involvement, she runs her own business as European Fashion Agent.
Louise Myers
Louise has been an active member of the Guild since 1995, having been introduced by her mother-in-law, Teresa Myers. Over the past 30 years, she has participated in nearly every Packing Week and remembers when it really did take a whole week!
With a background in marketing and public relations following her business studies degree, Louise has also worked alongside her husband in various capacities within his business, including bookkeeping, editing, and curating photographs. She has been actively involved with parent-teacher associations, serving in multiple roles, including Treasurer.
Louise lives in Hampshire and is a devoted mother to her four children and she currently runs her own framing business.
Helen Whitbread
Helen was introduced to the Queen Mother’s Clothing Guild by former Chairman Blanche Lonsdale, in the 1980s, following on from her mother-in-law, Joscelyn, who was a member in the 1930s. Helen joined the Board of Trustees in 2021. She had a peripatetic, army childhood – and worked as a civil servant in what were formerly Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. She was a founder member and Chairman of Gloucestershire Fine Arts Society, a founder member of Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust and also of the Rare Breeds Society. She was a Churchwarden for 38 years. In 2000, she was the oldest participant in a 350 mile charity bicycle ride in Malawi. Now widowed, she lives in Gloucestershire, where her interests include her home and garden and her family.
Matilda Woodford MVO
Matilda’s family have been involved with the Guild for several generations beginning with her great great Grandmother, Mrs Spencer Chapman. Matilda has helped to run the ‘Various’ stall at Packing Week with her sister, Vicky Spendlove, who has been a President for many years.
Matilda worked in book retail for fifteen years as Personal Assistant to James Heneage, Founder and Managing Director of the Ottakar’s bookshop group. In 2008 she joined the Royal Household as PA to the Directors of The Princes Rainforest Project and later, the Prince’s International Sustainability Unit. In 2014 Matilda was appointed Personal Secretary to His Majesty The King. She was awarded the MVO in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2022.
QMCG is a nationwide charity run by volunteers, the Executive Committee of which is overseen by a Board of Trustees. We have one member of staff – a part-time, self-employed secretary.
Mary Guppy – Chairman
Sharon Stewart – Hon. Treasurer
Diana Dix
Sallie Hawkins
Julia Knight
Louise Myers
Helen Whitbread
Matilda Woodford
Vicky Spendlove – Executive Officer
Sharon Stewart – Hon. Treasurer
Julia Buckmaster
Mary Mackaness
Vicki Meakin
Rachel Neale
Andrea Peel
Heather Mears – Secretary
We have recently introduced a new role for Friends of QMCG who wish to become more involved – our Guild Ambassadors. They are expected to hold an active role within the charity, for example, by serving on the Executive Committee, helping with fundraising, encouraging and liaising with new Friends and knitters, and assisting with the annual sorting and distribution of clothing and bedding at our Packing Week.