Our team
As a charity we are strengthened by the many people who support us including our staff and volunteers who give their time to help us deliver our services.
Chief Executive
Andrew Morter
Andrew joined as Vision Norfolk’s Chief Executive in 2022.
He has 20 years experience in the voluntary sector, most recently at Norwich-based community charity Future Projects, where he was head of operations. Prior to this he was head of volunteering at Voluntary Norfolk, and he has also worked for the Citizens Advice Bureau.
He is deeply passionate about providing high-quality services, and committed to tackling the barriers that prevent people from living safe, independent and fulfilled lives – which is the mission of Vision Norfolk.
Our Trustees
Our charity is governed by a Board of Trustees, which consists of up to elected members.
Chair of Trustees
Karen Norton
I am severely sight impaired with RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa) and been an active service user since 2013 when I retired after nearly 30 years of teaching. I was a class teacher and taught all ages from 5 to 16 over my career but spent the last 24 years in middle/ junior school as part time class teacher but also on management team as SENCO, Child Protection, Look After Children and Counselor. During my last year of teaching I was joined by my first guide dog Holly, a lovely way to end a long career in teaching. Once I retired I tried various sports and an assortment of leisure and heritage activities with Vision Norfolk and have been a trustee since 2015. During my time on the board I have spent as much time as I can visiting residents in Thomas Tawell House, tenants in Hammond Court and talking to staff both formally and informally. In February 2022 I took over as chair of trustees
My hobbies are many! Sewing and knitting, mainly for grandchildren, decorating and furnishing a dolls house and haberdashery shop from scratch, photography and visiting stately homes and gardens. Plus helping with my daughters soap craft business, toddler twins and their older brother keep me and my husband pretty busy.
Vice-Chair of Trustees
Dr David Goldser
Treasurer
Julian Foster
I joined Vision Norfolk as a trustee and as treasurer, with particular responsibility to support the financial elements of running our charity. I am hoping to help with the big challenge to make Vision Norfolk financially sustainable for the future. My professional background is as a finance director and corporate treasurer. Most of my recent work experience has been with developing housing association groups in the Eastern region. I am now largely retired but am a non-executive director for the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital and also have some non-executive duties for the Havebury Housing Partnership. In the past I have been treasurer of a national charity (Crisis) and a local one (Aylsham Care Trust).
Outside work I have two daughters and two step children with ten grandchildren. I am married to Rachel who is an assistant priest in our church. Our lives together are very full but we count ourselves very blessed and so we have recently opened our home to a young lady from Ukraine, Olha, who is making a new life here.
Rachel and I are using our retirement time to walk Norfolk’s long distance footpaths – so far we have done the Boudicca, Wherrymans, Marriott, Weavers and the Norfolk Coastal path.
Trustee
Bridget Hemmant
I have worked in the NHS delivering eye care for the last 30 years and most recently I have been working at the NNUH and JPUH eye departments. I was brought up and went to school on the Isle of Wight and then travelled to Sheffield Medical School to train to become a doctor. I spent a student elective in Sierra Leone which was when I decided I wished to train as an ophthalmologist and work saving peoples sight. I trained for several years at Moorfields Eye Hospital and also completed a research MD into causes of blindness. I was fortunate to spend time working in eye care in Australia as well as in Africa and India. My first consultant job was at the Royal Free in Hampstead but I was lured back to country life and moved to Norfolk in 2004.
I married a farmer’s son who has planted a vineyard and now makes wine in South Norfolk. I am an experienced Ophthalmologist specialising in cataract, and eye lid surgery plus the treatment of watery eyes amongst other eye problems. I joined the board of Trustees at Vision Norfolk in July 2022 and am deeply passionate about delivering the best possible eye care in Norfolk and Suffolk and putting people first.
Trustee
Jenny Manser
Since retiring from her career in social housing, Jenny has worked as an independent Organisational Development specialist operating at a senior level within a variety of public, private and voluntary sector organisations. Her work has included a variety of NED roles, interim CEO and retained OD roles facilitating change and development. Her interests include community development, housing, health and social care, and the success and sustainability of the voluntary sector.
Trustee
Rachael Laurie
I have recently retired from a corporate career in the insurance world where I’ve held a number of commercial roles helping businesses to grow, enter new markets, acquire new customers and build third party corporate partner relationships. I’ve been lucky enough to lead on some major projects that have helped businesses to transform their digital experiences, enabling greater awareness and take-up of their service. In my most recent position as Board Director of an entrepreneur-led digital insurance business, I had the pleasure of building the capability of the organisation and had the opportunity to support some fantastic young talent.
I continue to coach and support a number of young people, helping them to present themselves into the employment market. I’m also exploring ways in which I can use my career experience to support other good causes and am delighted to be talking to Vision Norfolk.
I was born and brought up in Norfolk and continue to live here with my partner Jonathan in our farmhouse in Rockland St Mary where we have a beautiful but demanding garden that occupies a lot of time and energy. I also have a love of travel, am a keen foodie and love to bring people together around our kitchen table.
Trustee
Jamie Kidd
I am a partner specialising in property litigation at Howes Percival and manage a small team of lawyers spread over six offices across the UK.
I was born in North Walsham. I trained at a small firm in Ipswich and then worked for a national law firm, and then a firm in London. I returned to Norwich in 2011. I am now married and have a young son and live in Norwich.
From 2013 until 2022 I was a board member of the Norwich Housing Society and was involved assisting them, on a voluntary and unpaid basis, with the management of their various developments across the city.
When I am not working, I am in my garden carrying out mostly agricultural tasks, which I enjoy a great deal.
