The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust
“Preserving and promoting our motorcycle heritage”
Charitable Incorporated Organisation - Registered Charity Number 509420
Trustees2
Meet the Trustees
As a Charitable Trust the BMCT is run by a board of trustees to safeguard the best interests of the charity and to ensure that it follows its mission and objectives.
We would like to introduce our current board of Trustees.
Ian Walden OBE (Acting Chair)
Back
Ian graduated with a First in Mechanical Engineering from St Andrews University and recently retired from his post as Chief Executive of the Black Country Living Museum after 33 years at the helm of one of the Midlands’ most successful tourist attractions. In recognition of his achievements he was presented with a Villiers engined Francis Barnett, similar to the one he began motorcycling on many years before. Ian is currently co-owner of a company providing consultancy services in the fields of heritage, museums and motor racing.
Peter Wellings
Back
Peter is the longest serving Trustee, having joined the Board at the invitation of his father Trevor (one of the Founders) not long after the BMCT became independent from the National Motorcycle Museum. In addition to the primary objectives of the BMCT his interests include the administrative and financial aspects of the Charity. Having originally graduated in business administration within the construction industry, Peter moved across to the world of print, publishing, marketing and graphic technology, from which he recently retired after thirty years at the helm of his own company. He is married with two children and lives in the West Midlands, where he is a member of a variety of different clubs and organisations. Peter is also a former BMCT Chairman.
Mike Jackson
Back
Mike Jackson has competed in trials and motocross events at the highest level in UK, Europe and USA. He began racing in 1954, riding on Francis Barnett, James, Greeves and AJS, winning numerous events. During this time he worked in sales for Greeves and later AJS. When he was appointed General Sales Manager for Norton Villiers Corp in 1970, he moved to the US, and raced AJS in West Coast Desert events.
Mike Jackson's career with Norton Villiers continued - he became Sales Director for the European concern, before becoming Marketing Director for Norton Villiers Triumph Ltd between 1974 and 1981. In 1981 he became the owner of Andover Norton International Ltd and – ten years later - co-owner of BSA Group Ltd.
In 1995, Jackson sold the business and was appointed by Sotheby's as consultant in the UK and the US. He also worked as consultant and Chief Judge for the Louis Vuitton Concours, until this event concluded in 2004. Since 2000 he has been a member of the National Motor Museum Advisory Council in Beaulieu, and writes on a freelance basis for various British and American motorcycle publications. Mike is president of the Norton Owners’ Club and also acts as a consultant for Bonhams.
John Handley
Back
John’s interest in motorcycles was triggered as an eleven year old by an exciting 100 mph ride (in what is now a 40mph zone) on the pillion of his uncle’s Ariel Square Four!! Fortunately his father never found out! After his teen years riding various small machines, including an LE Velo, he sold out to four wheels and a heater but has rekindled his love of bikes. Married with two children and two grandchildren, John lives in Solihull and is involved as Trustee and Secretary of a number of charities and trusts having become involved through 30 years involvement with Round Table, the well-known convivial young mans’ association, nine of them as their full time General Secretary.
Nick Jeffery
Back
Nick started motorcycling in 1964 and hasn’t stopped since. He owns several British machines, among them Brough Superior and a BSA Gold Star. He is a Political and Technical Services Committee Member of BMF (British Motorcyclists Federation) and Legislation Committee Member of FBHVC (Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs)
Nick spent all his life working life in the automotive (car/motorcycle/truck/bus) industry as engineer, business planner and lawyer but his first love is motorcycles. Now retired, he gets more time to spend riding his bikes at home and abroad.
Mike Penn
Back
When his 21 year career in the Fleet Air Arm was cut short due to a helicopter accident in 1984, Mike went to work for John Haynes OBE, setting up the renowned Haynes International Motor Museum in Somerset. A confirmed motorcycle enthusiast, Mike has competed in the Pioneer Run for Veteran motorcycles on a 500cc Triumph, and recent / ongoing projects include rebuilding an early veteran and exceedingly rare Readheads, a 1933 Velocette GTP, and a 1920s Sunbeam racing bitza. Now retired from his post as Curatorial Director at Haynes, Mike was recognised for his achievements when he was voted runner-up in the “Personal Achievement of the Year” category in the International Historic Motoring Awards 2016. We welcome Mike’s appointment to the BMCT trustee board, where his accumulated skills, experience and knowledge will be of great benefit.
Dennis Frost
Back
A lifelong motorcyclist, Dennis still has the Velocette he bought as a teenager, nowadays owning a few more machines produced at Veloce Limited’s Hall Green factory in Birmingham. Dennis has been a senior manager in UK universities running campus services and also a civil servant advising elected politicians. In the 1990s he took a break, joining The Classic MotorCycle magazine as their staff writer. He rode and wrote about machines from Anzani to Zenith and also judged motorcycle concours – a role he continues to carry out as head judge at the twice-yearly shows held the Stafford County Showground.
Now retired, Dennis advises local authorities about the allowances councillors receive, while also being a board member of one of Britain’s largest pension schemes.
The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust. Charitable Incorporated Organisation,
Office : Holly Cottage, Main Street, Bishampton, Pershore, Worcestershire, WR10 2NH