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The Trustees of English Bridge Education & Development have committed their time as volunteers because they want to build a generation of new bridge players, who can both derive pleasure and gain benefit from the game - and are now developing detailed programmes to support the charity’s objectives.

Ian Sidgwick, Chair of Trustees

Bridge is one of the best things that I learnt at school. Later I played at university, joining the student team and became secretary of the Bridge Society and team captain. Apart from some social bridge during the early eighties when an expat in Nigeria I didn’t play for over 30 years, then I came back to it and my enthusiasm instantly returned. I’m President of my county association here in Gloucestershire and an elected board member of the EBU.

My career was mostly in the pharmaceutical industry moving from production to supply chain to international procurement, I also delivered in-house training courses in Europe, North America and Japan. My last 10 years of employment was as purchasing director for The Jockey Club. Now retired but busy.

Bridge is such a great game, so many more people would benefit from learning it. I wish to contribute to achieving that.

William Bourne - Treasurer

William started playing bridge at school and like so many others came back to it later in life. He now plays at Tunbridge Wells and Crowborough bridge clubs. He has been a member of EBED’s Youth Advisory Group since 2016 and ran the Autumn Bridge Camp on behalf of Sussex CCBA from 2018 to 2023.  He was awarded the Tom Bradley award for services to Youth Bridge in 2022.  Away from bridge he acted as independent chair of two public sector pension boards from 2015 to 2023 and currently provides independent investment and governance advice - on occasion including challenge - to public pensions and charities.   He hopes to use the same skillset as an EBED Trustee, and as Treasurer to keep it on a sustainable financial path in the longer term.

Abbey Smith

Abbey Smith has been a full time bridge teacher since 2011. She set up her own bridge club in January 2012 and this has grown to around 200 members. She strongly believes that Bridge is a game that should be enjoyed, and her teaching and bridge club reflect that.

Abbey has previously worked for the EBU in the former education department and has played bridge for both England Ladies and England Juniors.

Abbey is currently on the Selection Committee and is the Junior Liaison Officer. She is also the safe-guarding officer for the EBU.

Tony Cherrett

Tony learned bridge at school and has played ever since. Tony has been teaching bridge in Surrey for 12 years. He organises bridge events and is currently working with EBED on planning a revamped Junior Autumn Camp. He is a member of the Surrey committee. He also runs Caterham and By the Wey Bridge Clubs. 

Tony had a career in IT and International Banking. This involved much international travel and addressing many interesting management and technical problems.

Tony believes we should encourage as many people as possible to play bridge at any level.

Milly Sutton

Milly is relatively new to the game, but she is keeping up with her two children who are learning too. She is a full-time events manager, working with both corporate and private clients to deliver a full calendar of events. EBED will find these skills invaluable, as it looks to develop its Youth Camps and increase the number that it runs.