Darren trained as an ambulance paramedic and practiced locally, in Pershore. Subsequently he attained a higher law degree and worked as head of governance for the ambulance service and then as policy manager for an NHS regulator. Having moved to the private sector Darren is an entrepreneur and leads a Pershore based investment company which is one of Wychavon’s largest private sector employers.

Always keen to use his skills and experience to help the economic enhancement of Pershore, Darren likes to prioritise the creation of opportunities for local people to develop and prosper.

Having grown up in Pershore and the surrounding villages, Michael’s looking forward to help shape and deliver the next stage of Pershore’s growth as a member of the Pershore Place Board by identifying opportunities and attracting investment for the benefit of the community as a whole.

Married to Karen, they have 5 daughters. Michael is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and The Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors. As a Chartered Surveyor he spent 23 years with international real estate advisers in a variety of transactional and senior management roles both in the UK and abroad. Since leaving corporate life, Michael has bought, restored and sold a number of listed buildings in the Cotswolds, Bath and the West Country on his own account. He has been National Treasurer of the Gideons International in the British Isles and remains an active member of Good News for Everyone (formerly Gideons International). Currently, Michael is Chairman of the Friends of Pershore Abbey, Chairman of the Pershore Civic Society, a member of the Avonreach Academy Trust, a member of the Pershore Abbey Choir and a Trustee of Number 8 Ltd. Also a member of the Little Ship Club & Treasurer and Deputy Chairman of the Avon Navigation Trust (ANT).

Alan started his professional life as a pharmacist, experiencing many different management and leadership positions - he now practices as a professional coach specialising in leadership, business and organisational development.

Alan has lived in Pershore since 2014 with his wife Pamela and two children, Michael and Olivia.

Since 2018 he has been involved in the running and organising of the Pershore Plum Festival and is a huge fan and advocate of Pershore as a place to live and to work.

Alan is looking forward to supporting Pershore in its development and growth journey during the years ahead.

illy Oxlade-Arnott is a Professional Artist, specialising in Architecture, working in watercolour and ink. With her husband Chris, they run The Gallery located on Pershore High Street representing guest artists from around of Worcestershire as well as her own work.  Her commercial background is in Marketing having worked in London and Birmingham across all fields including advertising, event management, design and PR. Passionate about where she lives and works, her aim is to promote the town as a desirable tourist destination, building upon its already enviable position within the county

Sam Tarran is the Board Lead on Public Transport and Roads. He has lived in Pershore much of his life. He is currently a project manager specialising in Intelligent Transport Systems for a global engineering consultancy. 

Returning to the area in 1988, Richard and his wife Alison have brought up three children and subsequent grandchildren in Pershore and the villages. Alison’s family have strong farming ties across Worcestershire. Richard has contributed to the community as a school governor and parish councillor. Both Richard and Alison have been extensively involved in the development and running of Pershore Community Cupboard at Pershore Baptist Church and contribute to Lenchwood Christian Centre where Richard is a Trustee.

Richard gained a BSc (Hons) in Agricultural and Environmental Science and Master’s in Landscape Design (MPhil) from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and the Masters in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Liverpool. He is a Chartered member of the Landscape Institute and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. Whilst now semi-retired, his professional experience has spanned local government, private practice, and residential development. Richard was a co-author of the Landscape Institutes position statement “Public Health and Landscape: Creating Healthy Places” and the creator of the Green Space Health Assessment used by councils across the country. Helping to create healthy sustainable communities remains central to his life and work.

Branwen Bingle is Communities Officer for Pershore and Central Wychavon and also lives in the area with her family. A qualified teacher, she taught primary and secondary pupils in Worcestershire before moving to Higher Education, first as a Senior Lecturer and then Head of Primary Teacher Training. Having completed her PhD in English literature and identity construction in 2017, she is currently studying a PG Dip in Voluntary Sector Management. Branwen joined the board in order to represent the perspective of community and voluntary organisations in the development of Pershore and its surrounding area.

The current Pershore and Rural Regeneration and Tourism Officer for the district council. Previous to this role, Angela is well-known in the role as the tourism officer for the district having created the Blossom Trail and the hugely successful development of the Pershore Plum Festival, which she chairs.

County Councillor for Pershore, District Councillor for Pershore and a Pershore Town Councillor. 

A lifelong Pershore resident with a former diverse and dedicated career spanning computer programming, financial services and as a Teaching Assistant, Julie has served as an Independent Town Councillor since 2017. She is currently Deputy Mayor for the 2024/25 term. Julie is an active volunteer for Pershore Operatic & Dramatic Society (PODS) and for several local charities. Julie is committed to helping the Place Board continue to provide meaningful amenities and opportunities for Pershore to thrive boldly.