Lady Lucy French (Founder and Trustee)
Lady Lucy French founded Never Such Innocence in March 2014 to enable young people to play their part in the Centenary of the great War. Lucy’s Great grandfather was Field Marshall Sir John French who led the BEF at the start of the Great War. Prior to Never Such Innocence she opened the St James Theatre, London, the first new theatre built in London for three decades and was instrumental in its development in 2011, launch in 2012 and subsequent success. She began her career in PR, events and journalism in Liverpool and London and over the years has honed her skills and focused her energies on charities and fundraising for education and the arts.
Lucy is also a trustee of The Churches Conservation Trust, The Commonwealth War Graves Foundation, and The Great War Symphony, is a patron of Remember WW1 and sits on the Development Board of Artichoke and the Actors of Dionysus.
Leslie Macleod-Miller (Chair and Trustee)
Leslie Macleod-Miller qualified as a lawyer originally in Australia before moving to the United Kingdom. He has practiced as corporate counsel and legal consultant for a variety of international companies including the Ladbroke Group, Walt Disney, Hutchison Whampoa and Liberty Media.
He has acted as Chief Executive of the largest gaming lobbying organisation in the United Kingdom, BACTA, and a Vice President of the equivalent European Association. His legal publications include Pattisons Licencing Service and a variety of European articles which have been presented to the European parliament. His practice now combines legal and political lobbying and is committed to bringing about policy change in areas of social vulnerability.
Leslie has been involved in a large range of charitable and entertainment activities both as a lawyer and a performer. He continues to advise a large spectrum of clients in the third sector. He was a finalist in the World Domingo Opera Competition at Covent Garden and continues to perform in the UK.
Susan Hammond (Trustee)
Susan Hammond grew up and was educated in West Sussex. Following a degree in social sciences, she began work as a political agent for the Conservative Party. She then moved into public relations before returning to politics as a researcher in the House of Commons.
In later years, she has combined raising a family with work in the charitable sector and event management, together with being a director and shareholder of a family housebuilding business.
Lieutenant Colonel Peter Poole MBE (Trustee)
Educated at Prices School, Fareham and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Peter Poole was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Transport where he enjoyed a full regimental career. He was appointed MBE in 1985. Following promotion to Lt Col he served as a Commander both in the UK and in Hong Kong. In 2002 he retired from his position as Command of Advanced Wing at the Defence school of Transport, and joined Combat Stress as a Regional Welfare Officer.
Appointed Director of Welfare in 2008 he remained at Combat Stress, subsequently becoming Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Strategic Policy and Partnerships and serving as acting Chief Executive for an extended period. His current role is Chief of Staff.
Peter is Chairman of the East Midlands Veterans Advisory and Pension Committee, Treasurer of his local church and Vice Chairman of his Regimental association. In his spare time Peter enjoys equestrian pursuits of all types, vintage motorcars and motorcycles and sailing.
Dr Martin Stephen (Trustee)
Martin Stephen was Head of The Perse School, Cambridge, and High Master of The Manchester Grammar school. He was Chairman of HMC (The Headmasters' & Headmistress's Conference) in 2004. He is the author of 19 published works on the literature and history of the First World War, twentieth century naval history and other topics, as well as the five highly-acclaimed 'Henry Gresham' historical crime thrillers. A regular contributor to written and broadcast media, he is a founder Governor of The London Academy of Excellence.
