Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust (RBPT), the charity behind community enterprise The Station, has announced that Chair of Trustees John Harris is stepping down from the role after four years. Mr Harris who officially stepped down at the start of the year, will remain a Trustee.
Taking over at the helm is Bryan Johnston, who took on the role of Chair on 1st January 2024. Bryan first joined RBPT as a Trustee in November 2022, and brings a huge array of skills to the role, following professional careers most recently as a Solicitor and earlier in the British Army. His previous appointments included a Trustee of a regional theatre and Chair of a Chamber of Commerce. On his appointment Bryan said, ‘I’d like to take this opportunity to thank John Harris for everything he has achieved for the RBPT during his time as Chair. I look forward to continuing to develop the work of RBPT, supporting further restoration projects throughout Richmondshire, and celebrating the amazing successes the trust has achieved so far.‘
Bryan is supported in his new role by Lin Ryan, who takes on the role of Vice Chair. Lin joined RBPT as a Trustee in November 2021, and brings a wealth of knowledge from an extensive career with the NHS and her ongoing work supporting the Royal College of Nursing with employment relations. Both Bryan and Lin were officially appointed on 1st January 2024.
Chief Executive of RBPT, Chris Brown said, ‘We’d like to say a huge thank you to John Harris for all his help, support, and unwavering leadership through a testing time post-pandemic. We are pleased that he will continue to support RBPT as a Trustee.
‘The new RBPT leadership team bring with them a renewed sense of purpose – to safeguard heritage assets in Richmond and the wider Richmondshire area, and alongside The Station, ensure they are valued and used for community benefit now and for generations to come.’