Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE has been appointed as the new Chair of the Glastonbury Town Deal Board, having been voted in unanimously at the Board meeting on 25th March.

Dr Sedgmore has been standing in as Temporary Chair of the Board since the autumn of 2021 when the original Chair, Robert Richards, stepped aside. Sadly he has since passed away following a short illness.

With an impressive background in business, further education and coaching, Dr Sedgmore brings a wealth of experience and passion to the role.

Her notable credentials include being a successful Chief Executive for 17 years and a Non-Executive Director on 15 Boards. She was awarded a CBE in 2004, and was named as one of the UK's most influential people in the 2015 Debrett's 500 list.

A director of the Glaston Centre, Dr Sedgmore is a great advocate for the people, diversity and deep spirituality of Glastonbury. She is a published poet and an interfaith minister, with a doctorate in spiritual leadership.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Sedgmore said: "I am delighted to be voted in as Chair of the Glastonbury Town Deal Board following a few months as Temporary Chair.

"While the role is time-consuming, and can at times be challenging and complex, the benefits this investment is set to bring to our town are so significant that it makes the work of overseeing the 12 projects a privileged service.

"It is a genuine delight to work with such a committed and skilled Board, an effective and dedicated officer team, plus the awesome projects leads, and everyone else who is giving of their time and expertise so willingly."

Vice Chair of the Glastonbury Town Deal Board, James Heappey, MP for Wells & Minister for the Armed Forces, said: "I am so pleased Lynne has been appointed the new Chair of the Glastonbury Town Deal Board.

"In a very difficult time following Robert's illness and then sad passing, Lynne provided stability and strong leadership.

"Her passion for the town, and the 12 projects, is second to none and her commitment to the role will no doubt see us through to ensure the Government investment is transformative for the town.

"I have very much enjoyed working with Lynne and I look forward to the future development of the Town Deal projects and Levelling Up agenda right here in Glastonbury."

In addition, two new Board members have been appointed, boosting the commercial expertise on the Board – JB.Richard Winterbottom and Paul Knight Richard Winterbottom is Managing Director and a shareholder of Avalon Plastics Ltd, based in Glastonbury, which is one of the most successful injection moulding and tooling businesses in the South West. Paul Knight is a Chartered Surveyor with more than 35 years' experience in the property sector. He has lived in and around Glastonbury since the late 1980s and was a co-founder and active member of Friends of Tor Leisure, which successfully lobbied for the land to be placed in trust, retained as a sports and recreation facility and protected from development for future generations. Glastonbury is one of 101 towns in the UK to receive investment as part of the government's Towns Fund scheme. Set to bring £23.6m of investment into the town, it received the highest award in the South West and one of the highest per capita in England. The comprehensive Business Cases required by the government for each of the projects are currently being developed by the Glastonbury Town Deal Board, individual project teams and Mendip District Council. Although the overarching projects and outcomes are fixed, the detail of each project is yet to be confirmed, with the viability of all aspects currently being scrutinised. The Business Cases must be submitted to the government by the end of June 2022, with funds being released as and when the individual Business Cases have been approved. The Glastonbury Town Investment Plan was developed by the Town Deal Board through engagement with key partners, businesses, community groups and Mendip District Council as the lead authority. It aims to deliver a necessary 'levelling up' opportunity for the town, bringing existing assets back into community use, and working with local communities to develop the spaces and resources that they want and need. The overall aim is for Glastonbury to be a sustainable, prosperous, modern town and global tourist centre, drawing on its rural landscape, history and unique legacy. For further information, visit glastonburytowndeal.co.uk