The Trust has four Member organisations:
- Medway Council
- HCA – Formerly South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), now known as Homes England
- St. Mary’s Island Residents Association – (SMIRA), the residents’ association is open to all property owners on the development north of the basins, known as St. Mary’s Island
- South Maritime Residents Ltd – The association for businesses on the southern part of the development, known as the South Maritime Estate (a.k.a. the South of Basin Estate)
These Member organisations have the right to nominate Trustees to the Board of the Trust. Medway Council, SMIRA and South Maritime may each nominate two Trustees, HCA one.
The Board also contains a number of ‘Independent Trustees’ who have no affiliation with the Member organisations, but who typically have strong local connections and relevant skills or expertise.
There are typically three to six Independents at any time.
Simon Curry
Simon Curry is the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration and joined the Board of Chatham Maritime Trust in October 2025; he will serve as Medway Council’s representative to August 2027.
Simon has a wide range of appointment to outside bodies and we look forward to him sharing his knowledge and expertise with the Board.
Habib Tejan
Habib Tejan is a dedicated community leader and politician who has served as a Director at Chatham Maritime Trust and an elected member at Medway Council since 2015. He is a proven leader who has already made a significant impact during his time as a councillor, fighting for the needs of his constituents and delivering results.
Habib has served two terms as Mayor of Medway (2019-2021) and is currently serves as Chairman of the Board at Kyndi and Vice Chairman of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Medway Council.
Habib has a strong track record of working collaboratively with other councillors and community leaders to address important issues facing River Ward including St Mary’s Island and the Chatham Maritime Estate. He is committed to improving the quality of life for his constituents, focusing on issues such as affordable housing, public transportation, and access to public services.
As a Councillor, Habib is well-respected for his passion and dedication to the people of St. Mary’s Island and the Chatham Maritime Estate. He has a keen understanding of the challenges facing the community and is committed to finding innovative solutions to address them. He is a skilled communicator and listener, always willing to hear the concerns of his constituents and work to find solutions that benefit everyone.
Outside of his political career, Habib Tejan has an accomplished work life. He has spent several years working in the private sector, including roles in finance and business management. He currently holds several directorship and chairmanship roles. Habib’s experience in the business world has given him a strong understanding of the importance of fiscal responsibility and efficient management practices, which he brings to his work as a councillor.
In addition, Habib is actively involved in several community organisations, including local charities. He is passionate about supporting those in need and empowering young people to achieve their full potential. Habib’s dedication to serving his community extends beyond his role as a councillor, and he is highly regarded by those who know him both personally and professionally.
Matthew Brown
Matthew Brown is a Senior Development Manager with Homes England and has extensive knowledge of the Chatham Maritime Estate and the issues associated with it having worked on the estate previously for the Homes & Communities Agency and preceding that SEEDA.
He also has a great deal of experience of major mixed-use development schemes in South East England.
Matthew was appointed a Trustee in July 2018.
Siobhan Draper
Siobhan Draper brings an in-depth knowledge of Operational Risk, as well as the ability to challenge colleagues on their day-to-day roles, looking at continuous improvement and problem solving, after a career working for some of the world’s leading investment banks, including JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank and UBS. She has also been a Money Laundering Reporting Officer.
Siobhan has been the chair of the Board of the Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers since 2021, and Chair of the Professional Standards Committee since 2020, and is a Governor of the Elizabeth School of London.
Siobhan has also been a community volunteer since 2015, as well as a presenter in the fields of the UK Court System and Community Relations, regularly presenting in schools, colleges and to adult community groups.
Chris Reynolds
Chris Reynolds has lived on St. Mary’s Island since 2013. He spent the majority of his career as a submarine Officer in the Royal Navy. He served in 2 submarines built in Chatham being HMS Ocelot and HMCS Okanagan before transferring to the nuclear flotilla where he served in the Polaris deterrent.
Following his Commanding Officer course, he served as Executive Officer of the Polaris submarine HMS Revenge and was the Commanding Officer of HMS Otter. On coming ashore he served in the MOD & qualified FCIPD.
On leaving the RN, he worked for a global ocean cable laying Company before returning to public service as the HR Director of the Serious Organised Crime Agency. Chris retired in 2014 shortly after the vesting of the National Crime Agency. Chris was formally a Governor of the Mid Kent College where amongst other duties he chaired the Risk & Audit Committee. He is also a Trustee of the Sir John Hawkins Hospital which is the oldest alms house in the country having been established by Royal Charter 426 years ago. He is the Chair of Medway Towns Sea Cadets.
Chris maintains his submarine roots by helping the Historic Dockyard with some elements of HMS Ocelot including guide training.
Chris was the former Chairman of SMIRA until November 2020 when he relinquished the position to take up the Directorship role on the Chatham Maritime Trust Board effective 4th December 2020.
Mona Koushkouei
Mona Koushkouei was appointed SMIRA’s nominated Director on the Chatham Maritime Trust Board effective 4th December 2020.
Mona is an academic pharmacist specialising in clinical standards and governance with a research interest in digital health systems.
Anthony Sutton
Anthony was born in Kent and has enjoyed a career in retail and property management across the UK and Europe, and is the Centre Manager for Dockside Outlet Centre at Chatham Maritime.
Anthony has two sons and lives in Horton Kirby in Kent. He is a keen sportsman and enjoys a game of golf.
In November 2019 Anthony was appointed Chairman of Chatham Maritime Trust.
Bob Russell
Bob is the Chairman of Beams International Ltd, which he founded in 1997 having set-up and run a number of other businesses since 1980. Beams designs and sells food, drinks and personal care gift products, with supermarkets and department stores being its principal customers.
Bob has lived in the Thames Gateway region all his life and was Chairman of the Thames Gateway (Kent) Chamber of Commerce. He is currently Chairman of the Dobson Trust – a Gillingham based charity providing relief for disadvantaged elderly people. He is also a Governor of Mid Kent College.
Bob is also the man behind the Distillery at Pump House No. 5; his sons, Matthew and Stephen, are also involved in the project so a real family affair.
Bob lives in Rainham with his wife and has two sons and five grandchildren.
Louise Humphrey
Louise has lived in Rochester since 2014 with her husband and two children.
Kelly Tolhurst
Kelly was born and bred in Medway and currently lives in Rochester. She is a marine surveyor and a director of a UK marine and industrial coatings company which involves working on a number of marine and land based projects. Kelly is a keen sailor and races sailing yachts on the River Medway and is passionate about Medway’s maritime heritage.
She was elected to Medway Council in 2011 and appointed a Member of Parliament (MP) for Rochester and Strood in the May 2015 general election. In January 2018 Kelly resigned as a Ward member to take up a position in the Chief Whip’s office. In July 2018 she was asked by the Prime Minister to become Minister for Small Business at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy which she accepted.
Paul Barnard
Paul is the Chief Operating Officer at Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and a key member of the Executive team. He is responsible for the operation and development of the museum and visitor attraction and delivery of key strategic objectives.
He has held various positions at the Historic Dockyard since December 2010 but has been in his current role since September 2020.
Away from work Paul enjoys international travel and music.
Deborah Sims
Deborah is a STEM ambassador who is passionate about encouraging young people to become professional engineers. She is the youth lead for Medway Sunlight Rotary Club. She is a lifelong Bob Dylan fan and in her spare time she enjoys birdwatching, walking and travelling.
Deborah is currently Vice Chair of Chatham Maritime Trust.
Tanya Ferry
Tanya Ferry is a passionate and active environmentalist professional with years of experience in aquatic environment, maritime and ports. She has an active interest in conservation and is someone who likes to make a difference. Tanya is also co-founder of Living River Foundation which was established to improving habitats and works with organisations in the area to do this.
She is a qualified scuba diver (PADI) and boat skipper (RYA) and has worked above and under the water. Tanya is also a volunteer with the RNLI Gravesend. She will bring a new set of skills to the CMT boardroom.
When not working Tanya enjoys the outdoors, bird watching, gardening and walking her Collie dog, Finn.
David Taylor
David is an independent Trustee. David is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer designing, manufacturing and installing structural steelwork and associated mechanical equipment for the construction industry.
He then took up a position as Managing Director of a local company employing some sixty people before retiring in 2003 and moving to St. Mary’s Island. David enjoys spending time with his family, golf and local issues.