Box Office: 01795 591691 • bookings@thealex.org.uk

TheAlex

Meet The Team
@TheAlex

About Us

The Alexander Centre (CIC) was set up in 2010 to take over the management of the Alexander Centre from Swale Borough Council. We have been renovating the beautiful period features and upgrading the facilities, so that the Alexander Centre can take its place at the heart of the community. It is a place for local business and leisure activities, weddings and training courses, classes, fairs and support groups.

Under the direction of interior designer, Sue Timney, and architect, Nigel Lee Evans of the award-winning Lee Evans Partnership. The Alexander Centre’s historic rooms have been restored in calm, heritage paint shades. The 20th century annexe, Gatefield Hall is re-furbished as ‘Danish modern’ in keeping with its modernist roots and today’s contemporary trends.

Its ground floor rooms include the largest indoor venue for hire in the area, plus three other elegant period rooms. Its upper floors are available as affordable office rentals to start-ups, charities and other organisations.

Under the management of the CIC, the Alexander Centre will continue to support the local economy and be a place for Faversham to be proud of.

The Alexander Centre - About Us

Joe McCarron

" Beautiful building with some great history within the town. Host to many events throughout the year. Great acoustics for live music. "

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Meet The team

Alison Fellows

General Manager

With a background in theatre production and general management, Ali was taken on to head up the team at The Alex in 2014. She lives in Faversham and loves the heritage of the town, and The Alexander Centre in particular, and is passionate about ensuring The Alex is a busy, vibrant, community hub for all to enjoy.

Ellie Goodwin

Assistant Manager

Ellie joined us having worked for many years in the UK Travel and Tourism industry. She is excited to be part of the team and lives in Canterbury.

Paul Garlick

Bar & Duty Manager

Paul (also known as Garlick) joined the team in late November 2021, having previously been working abroad, running an Irish bar in Andorra. He lives in Faversham with his partner and young son, and is looking forward to getting stuck into all the events and activities that The Alex has to offer.

Ben Cave

Digital Marketing Apprentice

Ben joined us in July 2022 to assist with Marketing. Fresh from doing his A levels, and travelling in from Deal, Ben is enjoying being part of the team.

Tara Frost

Finance Administrator

Tara joined the team in November 2021. A Resident in Faversham, her attention to detail ensures the smooth running of the organisation’s finances.

Amelia Clark

Customer Service Apprentice

Having joined us in September 2023, Amelia takes role as our receptionist. Her drive and enthusiasm to provide the best possible experience to our valued customers, makes her a valued member of the team.

Megan Stanley

Events Apprentice

Having joined us in October 2023 to assist with event planning and management. Her eagerness to learn and adapt to new challenges contributes to the success of our events.

Meet the Directors and the Members

The Alexander Centre Community Interest Company is made up of a pool of local residents who are Members of the Company.

They supervise the Company and are responsible for ensuring the community is fully involved in its activities and development. In addition to appointing the Directors to manage the Company on a day to day basis, the Members approve the Business Plan and all major policy decisions.

Graham Setterfield (Director & Chairman)

Graham is a civil engineer by profession who has spent his career in the water industry in a number of different companies. He has wide boardroom experience and has been a chairman of private companies and of voluntary organisations. He has lived with his wife in Faversham since 1969. He became involved with The Alexander Centre after volunteering with the Magna Carta Rediscovered Exhibition in 2015.

Hilary Riva OBE (Director)

Hilary, one of the founding members of the Company is a retired retailer having been MD of several high street fashion chains. She served 5 years as pro bono CEO of the British Fashion Council, reviving the fortunes of London Fashion Week for which she was awarded an OBE in January 2009. She is also on the Board of Faversham's Shepherd Neame Brewery.

Kathryn Forsyth (Director)

Katie, one of the founding members of the Company, works for Warner Media as Worldwide Head of Production Security. She lives in Faversham with her family and has a passion for architecture and preserving The Alex as a community hub.

Kate Cox (Director)

Kate is a branding and marketing professional and business builder and leader with 20+ years' experience across a range of sectors and companies. She specialises in business transformation, delivered through impactful marketing, operational and commercial strategies. She has previously chaired the Board of Trustees for a local charity in central London and been Director of several social enterprises. Having relatively recently moved to Faversham with her family, Kate is keen to be involved in all that The Alex has to offer as an important resource for the local community.

Michael Moore (Director)

Michael Moore is a retired Chartered Accountant specialising in supporting non-profits of diverse shapes and sizes as a partner in MHA MacIntyre Hudson and before that Larkings in Canterbury. Born and brought up in Faversham, Michael is extremely active in the local community being a trustee of several local charities and a governor of two local schools.

Stefano Cuomo (Director)

Stefano Cuomo is the Managing Director of Macknade Fine Foods. The business is deeply rooted in family heritage with Stefano's family running a farm at Macknade for six generations, since 1847. As a leading UK Food Hall with 170 years of family history, Macknade Fine Foods is a provenance rich & emotive alternative to supermarket shopping.

Donna Reed (Member)

Donna Reed's background is in sales, marketing, customer services and, over the last 5 years, business transformation. Donna holds a Masters degree In Strategic Marketing and a Diploma in Management, with relevant experience in both the public and private sector.

Donna's last paid role was to create and lead a shared services business for Canterbury, Dover and Thanet District Councils, which provided ICT, Customer Services, HR, Revenues and Benefits. It had approximately 450 staff and a budget of £15m.

Pim Baxter (Member)

Pim has had an extensive career in the arts world including opera (Kent Opera), theatre (National Theatre) and the visual arts (National Portrait Gallery) and received an OBE in 2015. She has a range of mentoring and non-executive governance experience and is currently a Lay Canon at St Paul’s Cathedral and a Board member of Central School of Ballet, Strawberry Hill Trust and St Paul’s Cathedral School. Having been the Patron of The Alexander Collection (our annual Art Exhibition) for several years, Pim was delighted to accept the invitation to join as a Member.

Robin Jones (Member)

Robin is IT Operations Manager for Ashford Borough Council where he has worked for 27 years. He has lived all his life in Faversham, where he also attended school and now lives with his wife and 2 sons. Robin leads and supports on telecoms and IT as well as advising on procurement/building issues.

Michael Gates (Member)

Mick, a retired painter and decorator, is an ex-councillor of Faversham Town Council and was Mayor in 2005 and 2006. He has been involved in numerous community projects and charities locally. For the Alexander Centre he has been able to provide valuable advice on building/refurbishment projects and volunteers regularly to be Santa for our Christmas grotto.

Martyn Crawley (Member)

Martyn is a Partner at Chavereys Chartered Accountants and provides financial and accountancy advice and guidance.

Alexandra Campbell (Member)

Alexandra is an author, blogger and local resident. She has helpful in the development of digital presence and continues to advise on written materials.