Trustee Candidate Biographies 2017

Shelina Begum-ParmarHaving been a resident of Barnes since 2011 I feel a sense of pride and I am committed to ensuring our community remains at the core of village.

Since October 2016, I joined the BCA as a Trustee to support our wider community that I adore and care about. I have worked closely with my fellow trustees on few local campaigns and wish to use my skills to enhance our upcoming projects for the year.

On a professional level my background has focused on management consulting on diverse international and regional projects across art, luxury, lifestyle and charity. I also serve as a board director on the Harrods Village, VEMC (Village Estate Management Company).

Merlene Emerson

Merlene has lived in Barnes with her husband and children since 1999. A former solicitor at Norton Rose, Merlene retrained as a commercial mediator and volunteers for CALM Mediation based in Hammersmith in neighbour disputes and restorative justice.

Merlene served on the board of Richmond Housing Partnership (2007-2012), as Chair of Lien Viet Housing Association and as Director of ISHA (2014-present). She was a founding Trustee of Chinese Welfare Trust (2008) and joined Sir Heinz Koeppler Trust in 2016.

Merlene holds a British Wheel of Yoga teaching diploma. She received an MBE in June 2016 for “political and public service”.

James Felix

My wife and I moved to Barnes in 2010 and are fortunate enough to be raising two girls here. As each year passes, I am continually amazed by how vital The BCA is to the community. Concurrently, I have reached a stage in my life where it is only right to give something back. Helping The BCA, as custodians of our village, is where I belive my strengths lie. Coupled with my love of The Tideway (I once rower the HORR) and my passion for all things #Barnesvillage, I believe I would be a worthwhile addition to The BCA.

Rory O'Dell

I have lived in Mortlake for almost 4 years where my wife and I have started our young family. I feel an emotional attachment to the area and follow in the footsteps of my mother and father who also bought their first family home in the area many years ago. I am passionate about the area and want to give something back to help in any way I can to ensure it remains well managed and preserved for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

Gary Smith

I moved to Barnes from the Midlands in 1989 for a new job, and have been here ever since, retiring in 2008. I first became a Trustee of the BCA in 2003 finally becoming Chairman from 2011 to 2013, when I stood down and got married. I was re-elected in November 2014 and became Treasurer in 2015. I would love to be re-elected now in order to continue the work of updating and computerising the accounting procedures of the BCA.