Jonathan Hobbs is a director of Hobbs of Henley Ltd and is the fifth generation to be at the helm of the 140-years-old boating business. Hobbs has been a member of The Henley Partnership since its creation and Jonathan is heavily involved in marketing the river and town on a number of initiatives.
He chaired the partnership’s tourism group from 2002-2008 and helped found The Henley Food and Literary Festivals during this time. He became chair of the partnership in 2009 and enjoys living and working in the town and striving with other partnership members to enhance Henley's appeal to visitors and residents alike.
Julie Perigo has spent nearly 30 years working with start ups, SMEs and major multinationals, as well as leading academic institutions, through a career spanning UK, South America, USA, Europe and Australia. Before moving back to the UK in 2008 she was a Partner in two of the leading international Executive Search organisations, Korn/Ferry and Highland Partners, and the Director of PE Handley Walker’s Training & Development division, which she set up across Australia and Asia.
Since her return she has started two new businesses in Henley, working predominantly with academic institutions and charities. She worked closely with the Australian Graduate School of Management on graduate employment and, while still based overseas was invited to become Visiting Executive Faculty at Henley Business School and design part of their on-syllabus career development.
Her book, “Winners in the Second Half – a guide for executives at the top of their game” was published by Wiley in2008, and she is currently co-authoring another with the working title of “Sustainable Careers in a Global Economy”.
Julie brings experience as Deputy Chair of The Australian-British Chamber of Commerce and the NSW Australian Business Arts Foundation (ABAF). She is currently a Governor at Badgemore Primary School, Honorary Representative for Swan Lifeline in Henley and the Chair of The Henley Living Advent Calendar 2011.
She sees her mission, as Chair of the Business & Retail Group, as offering support and frameworks for local businesses to develop and prosper, and to help them build mutually rewarding and productive relationships between Tourism, the Arts, the Environment and the broader Henley community.
Professor Anne Jones has worked as a Teacher, Counsellor, Head Teacher, Senior Civil Servant, Author, Broadcaster, Professor and Company Director. Throughout her working life, she has believed in the importance of the community, as witnessed by her pioneering work for over 17 years as Head of innovative secondary community schools. She has written and Broadcast extensively, notably on Question Time.
As Under-Secretary (Employment Department), she brought the Education and the Business communities together to develop the full potential and enterprising qualities of the present and future workforce. Later, as Head of the Centre for Lifelong Learning at Brunel University, she developed Lifelong Learning Systems, an online portfolio and blog for individuals and groups to maintain a record of their achievements.
Anne has lived in Henley since 1984. Since retiring, she has become very active in the local community and supports many local charities. . In recent years, she has been Chairman of several local organisations, including the Henley Choral Society. At Phyllis Court Club, she is currently a Director, actively promoting links with the local community. She is a Governor of the Abbey School, Reading. In 2007, she became the first Woman of Achievement (Education) in the local Sue Ryder competition. She is committed to supporting and strengthening Henley as a town and as a community. She became Chair of the Henley Partnership Tourism Group in Autumn 2010.
Barrie Scott is managing director of Henley Training Associates Ltd, a company dedicated to improving management leadership and general interpersonal skills. Prior to forming the company Barrie spent 27 years in the oil industry in various management roles within the sales and marketing division for a major oil company. He has also been a director of the Kenton Theatre for over 20 years as well as chairman of the Henley Operatic Society.
The main thrust of the Arts Group over the past eight years has been to advance the progress of a 650-seat performance space as part of a community Arts Centre. The group will also be looking into other related projects to expand its activities during 2011.