Meet The Team
Leadership team
Our CEO Hannah Tombs joined us in November 2017.
Hannah is a qualified Accountant who previously worked as Head of Finance in a national children’s charity. Hannah was a long-term member of St John Ambulance, holding a senior volunteer post as County Commissioner Youth. During this time, Hannah was invested as a member of the Order of St John.
Hannah enjoys running, skiing, cycling and supporting her daughters in their interests of horse riding and dance.
Samantha joined our team in 2012.
As our Chief Operating Officer, Sam is passionate and enthusiastic about raising funds for Ferring Country Centre. Sam is in charge of all things commercial such as Ranger’s Cafe, the Visitor Centre and events. She is also responsible for health and safety throughout the whole site.
Samantha has a vivacious personality and enjoys, music, socialising and eating out.
David joined Ferring Country Centre in 2023. As Head of Support, David is responsible for leading the team that provides support to our one hundred and thirty day service customers, who attend the Centre over the week. Dave has held a variety of safeguarding positions previously.
One of his most recent roles involved working for West Sussex County Council, managing a team which provides school transport for SEND children.
In his spare time, Dave enjoys activities with his family such as walking, camping and various sports.
Hazel joined Ferring Country Centre in March 2024. She is our Chief Finance Officer
Hazel has previously spent many years working as an accountant in various different settings including; a care home, the NHS, security services and at an accountancy firm. Hazel’s role is to oversee our finances, ensuring that the Charity runs in an efficient and compliant manner.
In her spare time, Hazel is a keen runner. She has three active boys who keep her busy and they enjoy outdoor activities together such as camping!
Jackie joined our team in July 2014.
Jackie is our Learning, Development and Volunteering Manager. She supports our wonderful team of volunteers and enables both our staff and volunteers to access a broad range of training opportunities
Jackie leads an active life kayaking, scuba diving and travelling.
Amanda joined Ferring Country Centre April 2023, she is our Visitor Centre Manager.
Dee joined Ferring in January 2020, she is our Day Opportunities Manager.
As our Day Opportunities Manager, Dee is responsible for the day to day running of our Day Service.
Dee has a wealth of experience, having worked in learning disability services for 20 years and in management for 15 years. Dee has a passion for providing our Day Service Customers with the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities and experiences.
Dee is a keen walker and enjoys spending time with her family.
Raffaella has worked at Ferring since 2013.
Raffaella is our QA and Outcomes Manager. She supports our Day Service Customers to access learning and interact with the broader community, using initiatives such as our walk and talk group.
Having always had an interest in social care, Raffaella has completed a Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3 at college and her Level 5 recently.
Rafaella joined the Ferring team after volunteering at the Centre as young woman.
Raffaella rides at the weekends, enjoys going on holiday and going out with friends.
Malcolm joined Ferring in May 2011.
Prior to working at Ferring, he worked at a number of other West Sussex charities, specialising in learning disabilities and horticulture. He is a keen gardener and has built up an extensive knowledge of plants and cultural techniques.
Malcolm has a degree in Economics from Sussex University, and is married with two children. He also has a keen interest in family and local history. He writes articles for various publications and websites, and is currently writing a book on the history of the Worthing Glasshouse Industry.
Bethany joined Ferring Country Centre in January 2022. As Animal Welfare Manager she ensures that the animals in Dales Farm are kept healthy and happy.
Bethany has an HND in animal management which she obtained at Brinsbury College.
In her spare time Bethany looks after more animals at home! She also enjoys creative activities such as drawing and watercolours.
Helen joined Ferring in May 2002, she is our Riding School Manager.
As our Riding School Manager, Helen oversees all the activities in our stables and ensures the animal welfare of all our horses.
As a keen rider, Helen likes to take part in dressage competitions with the riding school horses. She has recently taken up golf and is an avid supporter of her daughter at free style dance competitions.
Jo joined Ferring in June 2021, she is our Marketing Co-ordinator.
Jo runs ‘Fergus Fun Time,’ our club for toddlers/pre-schoolers and their carers. She helps to plan and run events to raise funds for the Centre. As well as keeping social media updated, Jo also represents Ferring at cheque presentations, talks and writes the Ferring Focus magazine.
Previously, Jo was a primary school teacher with a First Class Honours degree in Education.
In her spare time, Jo enjoys photography, gardening and walking the dog!
Our Trustees
Retired Worthing solicitor, Bob Rogers has been Chairman of Ferring Country Centre since August 2012. Bob had been a non-executive director of the centre for over 30 years before taking over as Chairman.
Bob’s main sporting interest is rugby and he has been an administrator in the game for more than 40 years, during which time he became President of the Rugby Football Union, President of Sussex RFU and President of the local club, Worthing RFC.
He is currently Chairman of Sussex Region of Wooden Spoon, a charity which raises funds for capital projects for disadvantaged children in Sussex. He is married with three children.
Peter joined the board as the ‘resident horticulturalist’ in September 2018.
Although Peter is now retired from full-time gardening, he still offers his advice when needed. Previously, Peter completed an OND in commercial horticulture and worked for five months on a nursery in France, before joining the family chrysanthemum nursery. When; like many others of its kind, the chrysanthemum nursery closed in 2000, Peter started a gardening business with his wife until he retired.
Peter has been a member of the Alpine Gardening Society for over 40 years, and is coming to the end of a 4 year term on their Board of Trustees.
In his spare time, Peter enjoys gardening, reading, music, history and wildlife. He is also involved with the local group of the Alpine Gardening Society and has given talks to local gardening clubs. Peter also attends French clubs and lectures.
Ann joined the board in June 2019, after retiring in 2009 from working part time.
Ann is currently a member of the Worthing Mencap committee, which involves running Buddys, a social hub run by people with a learning disability for everyone in the community to enjoy, so that no one is left isolated.
Ann’s late husband Charles was one of the founding partners in establishing Ferring Country Centre in 1986. Therefore, Ann has been majorly involved with the Centre since its opening. Their biggest motivation for opening the Centre, alongside John and Janice Ranger, was their twin boys, who both have Down’s Syndrome. Ann’s son James still attends the Centre now.
David began his trusteeship in Summer 2023, after a working life spent in the world of education and skills. He is a qualified teacher and worked as such in schools and further education colleges, including leadership roles in local Sussex colleges. He later worked for the government funding agency with responsibility for further and adult education and skills and as a university senior leader, before a very enjoyable spell working on the ‘WorldSkills’ competitions that see UK pitted against other nations, in vocational skills training competitions.
He has chaired the governing bodies of a Brighton special school and of East Sussex College and has a keen interest in the learning and training offer to young people and adults with special educational needs. He has played cricket, football and tennis across Sussex for many years and is a passionate advocate of the role of culture, sport and the arts in enhancing the lives of individuals and of their communities.
Jane is the Chair of MediaCom Sport & Entertainment, a specialist sports marketing agency and Chair of KR MediaCom, the luxury division of MediaCom. She has spent the last 35 years working in the advertising and media industry and has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands.
Jane is also a Non-Executive Director of Goodwood and Non-Exec Chair of GSP, an event production company and sits on two other charity boards, GOSH and The Winch.
She is married to John and they have two children, Georgie and Ben. Jane spends most of her weekends standing on touchlines and ferrying her children to varying activities.
Anne qualified as a doctor in 1983. After a long career, including 30 years as a General Practitioner in Worthing, Anne has now retired.
Anne’s interests include gardening; she is especially looking forward to joining her husband’s gardening maintenance business following her retirement. Anne also enjoys sailing, tennis, skiing and arts and crafts, meaning retirement will be a busy time!
Linda is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years experience in both New Zealand and UK, in sectors as diverse as Professional Services, Telecommunications, Property, and Financial Services.
Since 2009, Linda has been acting as a part time FD for SME organisations and Trustee and Treasurer to selected charities. When not working, Linda will be found walking her two miniature schnauzers in either London or West Sussex, or holidaying with her partner (preferably in the sunshine!).
Debra joined Ferring in February 2020, she is Clerk to the Trustees.
Debra has a range of experience, gained in both the commercial and voluntary sectors. Her professional interest in the not-for-profit sector began as Administrator of Diageo’s Charitable Trust and she went on to work for an international charity before moving into social care 12 years ago.
Debra has a BA (Hons) degree in the History of Design and enjoys reading historical fiction, going to the theatre, live music and dance fitness.
