English Bridge Education & Development

The Trustees of EBED have appointed Richard Croot as the CEO of EBED.

Richard will take up his duties on 1st September, replacing current CEO, Mark Humphris.

You can read a biography of Richard here.

EBED's chair of trustees, Ian Sidgwick, welcomes Richard, adding that “The board of EBED are delighted to appoint Richard, and look forward to working with him to implement our goal of growing the number of people of all ages who learn and access our game”

The four trustees met face to face for the first time recently, appropriately at a mind sports centre, aka the Young Chelsea Bridge Club. We had met several times before but via Zoom.

Being such a new team (half a few months, half only a few weeks) we wished to have a good debate about what the strategy of EBED should be over the next five years and firm up on what our top priorities are and what may also be important but addressed less immediately. We are ambitious but as a small organisation and it would be unwise to try to do everything at once.

EBED's new trustees got together at the Young Chelsea Bridge Club recently. This was an opportunity for the new faces to meet and set priorities and strategy for the organisation.

Pictured here, (left to right) are: William Bourne (treasurer), Ian Sidgwick (Chair), Abbey Smith and Tony Cherrett.

The Board of Trustees are pleased to announce that Charlie Bucknell and BucknellBridge have been engaged to provide leadership and coordination to our drive to expand youth bridge.

Charlie has represented England in the under-26 squad and is a former junior world championship bronze medallist and now coaches the under-21 squad. He has been active in youth bridge for a few years, supporting our youth camps and teaching bridge to school children.

Following changes in his private circumstances Mark Humphris has decided to bring forward by some months the date he had planned to step back from his role and will be leaving EBED later this summer.
Mark remains a friend of EBED and no doubt will continue to participate and contribute to the game.
We are grateful to him for his support over the transition to the new trustee team and all that he has contributed in both of his roles with us.
The search for a replacement has begun.
Ian Sidgwick
Chairman EBED

Ian Sidgwick (EBED Chair) and his fellow trustees are delighted to announce two new appointees to serve on EBED’s board.
They are both great additions to the team bringing complimentary skills and experiences.

Following the departure of Lee Guy, and the resignation of incumbent EBED trustees, the EBU Board has today appointed Ian Sidgwick, Paul Gibbons and Abbey Smith as Trustees with immediate effect.

Ian Sidgwick will take the role of Chair, Paul Gibbons is appointed Treasurer.

EBED and its employees welcome our new Trustees and look forward to working with you.

Mark Humphris, CEO English Bridge Education & Development , 25 March 2024

Subsequent to the departure of Lee Guy, the following five remaining EBED Trustees have resigned from their positions:
Simon de Winter (treasurer)
Terry Hewett
Gillian Fawcett
Tim Chanter
Ian Lewis

"On behalf of the staff at EBED I wish to thank the outgoing Trustees for their support of the Charity. Your direction, advice and informed challenge has helped EBED to emerge from a very difficult time with renewed strength and confidence to help shape our game as we move forward."

EBED Chair of Trustees, Lee Guy completed a 3 year term of office on 18 March 2024

The Board of Trustees, and the leadership of EBED , unanimously proposed to the EBU Board, that Lee be reappointed to continue as Chair.

At a meeting of the English Bridge Union Board on 21 March, the EBU Board voted not to renew Lee Guy’s appointment as Chair of EBED Board of Trustees. The post is now vacant and the English Bridge Union intend to appoint a new Chair soon.