Patrons

Mr Andrew Blackman, Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex

Patron-in-Chief

Mr Blackman became Patron-in-Chief of Raystede in 2023. He first visited Raystede in May 2022 to celebrate Her late Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and our own 70^th anniversary. During his visit, he met staff and volunteers and planted an English Oak tree as part of the celebrations and of the Queen’s Green Canopy – a scheme to plant a million trees in a living and lasting legacy to Her Majesty.

The Lord-Lieutenant says, “I am delighted to join Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare as its Patron-in-Chief, and to support their efforts to alleviate animal cruelty and provide sanctuary to, or rehome a wide range of animals in need. The staff and volunteers have provided a lifeline to vulnerable animals for over 70 years, and I look forward to championing their continued success as Patron-in-Chief.”

Andrew Blackman was appointed Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for East Sussex on 18 August 2021. Andrew Blackman is a former art dealer who has previously served as High Sheriff. He was an Ambassador for the Sussex Community Foundation; a committee member of the Order of St Richard, which recognises the contribution of lay people in the service of the church; a former Chair of the Friends of Hastings Country Park; and a former trustee of the Peasmarsh Chamber Music Festival. He has also sat on the Board of Appeals for St Michael’s Hospice and the Conquest Hospital. Mr Blackman lives in Fairlight, near Hastings, with his husband Richard Smith.

Mr Gus Christie, DL, East Sussex

Patron

Gus Christie DL, is the Executive Chairman of Glyndebourne Opera House, a position he has held since 2000. Gus graduated from King’s College, London with a degree in Zoology. His interest in natural history further sparked an ambition to develop an environmental strategy for Glyndebourne to achieve its long-term ambition of becoming carbon neutral.

Gus and his family have supported Raystede for many years and are in fact “neighbours” living in the family home at nearby Glyndebourne.

*Photo courtesy of Graham Carlow

Tim Cobb, DL, East Sussex

Patron

Tim Cobb is a long-standing supporter of Raystede who has helped the charity for many years. He lives and works in Eastbourne.

Tim spent 14 years as a journalist on the local and national news scene before setting up Cobb PR in 1995. He then set up Cobb Digital in 2012 and re-branded as Fox & Bear in 2021. The company employs 22 staff in Eastbourne and Brighton.

He is very active in the local business community and for many years, Tim has been a member, and now a director, of the Eastbourne & District Chamber of Commerce and is a great supporter of East Sussex, Eastbourne and the local community.

Tim was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex in 2017 and is also a Patron of mental health charity, Holding Space. He became a Patron of Raystede in November 2023 and we are very proud and delighted that he is part of the Raystede team.

Tim is a great animal lover and, following the sad loss of their family dog, Maisie, he and his wife, Sue, now have their hands full with a new puppy, Lola.

Jo Shiner, Chief Constable of Sussex Police

Patron

Jo became the force’s ninth Chief Constable in July 2020 and is the first female Chief Constable in the history of Sussex Police.

In a policing career of over 31 years, Jo has undertaken a wide variety of roles across 3 forces. These have predominantly been operational, both in uniform and within Public Protection commands and CID. She has been a firearms, public order and a critical incident commander for about 20 years up until she became the Chief.

Jo is also a national ambassador for Oscar Kilo 9 (OK9) which is the canine element of the Police Wellbeing Service. Jo is the proud patron of Sussex Search and Rescue and Sussex Police Charitable Trust. She also actively supports other charities such as the Beachy Head Chaplains and has previously sat on strategic Boards for both The Princes Trust and Norfolk Community Foundation.

Jo is happily married and lives with her husband, and much-loved exuberant rescue dog, Rocky. She has been known to rescue many varied animals in the past and is an avid lover of dogs and horses.

Chief Constable Jo Shiner says: “I am incredibly humbled to become a Patron of this wonderful charity. As an animal lover and someone with a keen interest in animal welfare, I look forward to supporting Raystede in their ongoing work helping both animals and pet owners right across Sussex and the wider region.”