Meet the committee
Get to know the committee of The Radnor Arms Community Benefit Society
Sue Norton
Chair
Profession: Retired Occupational Therapist & Operations Manager
SUE has worked in the NHS and charity sector, working jointly with colleagues and management to ensure good governance with evidence-based practice.
She has experience in staff recruitment and retention, marketing, project management, hospitality, securing funding for projects and project management and working with volunteers.
Sue is concerned for the younger generations who are being denied the opportunity to visit ‘their’ local.
Martin Lewis
Vice-Chair
Profession: Landscape Gardener
MARTIN is a self-employed landscape gardener who moved from ‘Up North’ to the Radnor Valley 36 years ago and found he couldn’t leave!
He has an honours degree in Ecological Science and worked for a council planning department, gaining a diploma in planning.
Martin has successfully completed a course in small business management and was a member of the Evenjobb village hall Lottery Fund bid team.
David Leitch
Co-Treasurer
Profession: Retail E-Commerce Manager
DAVID has commercial trading experience and is responsible for an online business across 800 shops, alongside 20 years retail experience in marketing, space planning, buying, and store management.
As a chartered manager with level 7 diploma in leadership, he's managed teams with project management experience. He also has experience of working with suppliers (buying food for resale, and technology).
David provides support to the finance team, bringing his experience in budgeting and forecasting as the trading of the pub begins.
Paul Norton
Co-Treasurer
Profession: Presteigne Retired Bank Clerk & Business Manager
PAUL has experience working in the corporate, social and charity sectors, with transferable skills in finance, from banking to working with adults and children with learning disabilities.
Prior to retirement Paul worked as a business manager, running with Sue, his partner, a 100-bed group accommodation centre, turning his hand to everything from finance, maintenance, and hospitality.
Paul has lived with Sue, within five miles of the Radnor Arms for 45 years.
Penny Southwood
Project Manager
PENNY joined us in December 2024 to support us with Phase 4 of our project.
Penny moved to Herefordshire in 2003. Originally trained in design, she has since completed a Masters in Business (MBA) and held leadership roles in commercial business, retail and charity sectors, working with stakeholders to develop and deliver projects and programmes that bring change and support wellbeing.
Having seen the incredible progress since the pub’s closure, Penny is truly inspired by the community’s dedication to making this dream a reality. She adds, "The village pub is about so much more than just a place to grab a pint. It’s a hub for connection, support, and togetherness, and I’m honoured to be helping bring this vision to life."
Carlee Evens
Volunteer Coordinator
CARLEE has lived in the village for the last 17 years but has been involved in the community in New Radnor since 1995.
She had a real interest in the Radnor Arms before it closed down in 2016, and had worked there for many years.
Carlee became involved in the committee as she believes the pub creates and important place in the village for the community to feel welcome.
Carlee plays a vital role as a committee member at the Radnor Arms, organising the rota for bar shifts, and helping to retain and encourage volunteers to continue their voluntary work at the Radnor Arms.
As well as wanting a safe welcoming space for the local community of New Radnor, Carlee is also the safeguarding lead.
James Griffiths
Marketing and Media Coordinator
Profession: Camera Operator and Drone Pilot
JAMES moved to New Radnor in April 2023 and works in the television industry as a freelance news cameraman, and within Access Services for the BBC, Channel 4 and RTE. With a background in print journalism, research and post-production.
His credits include work for BBC, S4C, Sky Crime, and Channel 5, on shows ranging from BBC X-Ray, Killer in My Village to Siân Phillips at 90. He also wrote for the Wellington Weekly News and West Somerset Free Press, two local newspapers based out of Wellington, in Somerset, and the Mid Wales paper, The Brecon and Radnor Express.
He continues to film news content for The Brecon and Radnor Express, as well as working closely with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, producing patient story films for internal and public use.
James has been part of the Radnor Arms marketing team from the start (before the share offer went live in 2023), creating video content and social media campaigns. He is also responsible for the creation and management of the CBS and Radnor Arms websites (theradnorarms.com).
