The Vital Village Board

The Vital Village Advisory Board plays a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction of our community hub. Comprised of local members or our community, the board brings together a diverse range of expertise and insights to ensure that Vital Village continues to thrive and meet the needs of the community. Their role includes providing advice on key decisions, helping to shape our programmes and initiatives, and ensuring we stay true to our mission of fostering sustainability, well-being, and inclusivity.

The Advisory Board members serve as ambassadors for Vital Village, advocating for the organisation within their networks and contributing to our ongoing development. Their input ensures that we maintain strong governance, create meaningful community connections, and stay responsive to the evolving needs of the local area. Together, they help guide the hub’s growth and impact, allowing us to deliver long-lasting benefits for our community.

Elaine Sesseman

An Elmbridge Borough Councillor for Thames Ditton ward elected in May 2023, Elaine has lived in this area for over 30 years. She has been excited about the Vital Village project since Laura presented it to local councillors. She has a background in finance and education, and is committed to being an active member of the advisory board so that Vital Village can achieve its aims of community, health and wellbeing and environmental sustainability.

Laura Pring

Laura is the founder and driving force behind Vital Village. She is passionate about building connections across all age groups, developing programmes and initiatives that strengthen community life and bring people together. Alongside her work at Vital Village, Laura also founded Planet Warriors Kids Club (PWKC), which offers wraparound childcare and creative holiday programmes, giving families much-needed support and children opportunities to thrive. With a professional background in responsible investment and asset management, Laura combines strong organisational and leadership skills with a personal commitment to making the village a vibrant and resilient place for everyone.

Kim James

Kim is Enterprise & Operational Risk Director at Legal & General, where she oversees risk and governance across the group. Before this, she held senior positions at LGIM, including Head of Operational Risk and Head of Process Design & Assurance. A Chartered Accountant with close to three decades of experience, her career spans leadership roles in finance, operations, and risk management at Investec Asset Management, Legg Mason, Diageo, GSK, and PwC. She holds accounting degrees from Stellenbosch University and the University of South Africa, is Prince2-certified, and is recognised for her expertise in strengthening controls, driving efficiency, and leading organisational change.

Cristina Gosney

Cristina has deep roots in the village, with her daughter, son, and grandchildren living nearby and many long-standing friendships in the community. Passionate about bringing people together, she believes in the importance of diverse voices working towards a shared vision for the village. Cristina previously set up and chaired the Wolverton Avenue Residents Association (WARA), where she led projects ranging from re-wilding flower beds and organising community celebrations to campaigning successfully at council meetings. She has experience galvanising neighbours, coordinating local initiatives such as LTN designation, and championing community spirit through events like Jubilee and Coronation street parties.

Lotte Buchan

Lotte is an accomplished theatre professional and currently serves as Executive Director (Theatre) at Shakespeare’s Globe. She has played a leading role in producing and managing a wide range of acclaimed productions, including The Tempest, Doctor Faustus, Much Ado About Nothing, Henry IV, and Romeo and Juliet. With many years’ experience at the Globe, Lotte brings together a deep understanding of theatre-making with strong organisational and leadership skills, ensuring high-quality productions reach diverse audiences. She is passionate about widening access to theatre and fostering collaboration across creative teams, while championing the Globe’s mission to bring Shakespeare’s work and new writing to life for communities in London and internationally.

Marion Todd

Marion is a governance and community safety professional with extensive experience in local authority administration and resident-led housing management. Since 1990 she has been a Director of Albany Lodge (Thames Ditton) Residents’ Association, previously serving as Company Secretary for 20 years, and continues to play a key role in ensuring compliance, value for money, and resident engagement. Before retiring, she worked in community safety and preventing extremism across London boroughs, managing change during the Metropolitan Police’s shift to a new borough policing model, and earlier served as a Committee Administrator at the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, supporting council committees and school governance.