OUR TRUSTEES
MATTHEW SHORTER (ACTING CHAIR)
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Matthew is an expert in digital media strategy and content whose sector interests include strong focus and experience in learning and international development. A music graduate, Matthew started his career in Radio 3 before moving over into Internet work in the early days of the worldwide web’s mainstream adoption. Since leaving the BBC in 2009 he has run his own consultancy working for a range of world-class clients in broadcast, arts, higher education and international development. He has always believed that the most meaningful change to humanity starts from the spiritual development of individuals, and sees Susila Dharma as excellent evidence of this in practice. He lives in south-east London with his wife and two sons.
MIRIAM BENNETT
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As a trained teacher Miriam has worked in many schools in the South West of England, and is currently working with small groups of less confident children, in school settings, using puppetry as a tool to boost their self-esteem. She has had a lifelong passion and interest in developing children’s creativity, understanding how creativity can have such a positive impact on their lives. Miriam comes from a large active Subud family and has been actively involved in Subud for 45 years. She lives by the sea with her husband and has two sons and one granddaughter. She is also a professional singer in a jazz band.
ELLIOT HARDING-COX
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Elliot has worked in the events industry for over 25 years as a project manager and consultant, leading high-profile international events, corporate experiences and brand activations. He is also a property professional with a passion for creating high-end homes and communities. Elliot has been involved in Subud since he was a child, and Susila Dharma has always interested him, leading him to become a trustee in 2022. Elliot loves sports and has a passion for travel and languages. He lives with his wife in Lewes.
VINCENT MOUNT
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Vincent has been a practising landscape architect since 1996, with experience working on many community and public realm improvement projects in Britain. His work focuses on connecting people and their natural environment. He’s travelled widely and is happily married with four children. He started working for Susila Dharma Britain in 2014, and was Chair for 5 years. In 2019 he joined the Susila Dharma International Board, working to create a stronger network around the world. He is keen to encourage people in their courageous efforts in the humanitarian field to make a difference in their communities.
SARAH PENFOLD​
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Sarah is a retired Chartered Secretary. She worked for thirty years as a committee secretary and company secretary most latterly providing company secretarial services to a number of Venture Capital Trusts. She also has experience of charities and a variety of other organisations and companies in the charitable and private sectors. Sarah was attracted to Susila Dharma by the range of projects that the charity helps finance to support people living in extremely deprived circumstances providing them with opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise have had in life.
She now lives in Seaford, Sussex where she is training to be a Feldenkrais teacher and is a keen amateur artist.
TEGUH SANTOSA
Teguh Santosa has been a Subud member for over 30 years. He has always been eager to help others in need. Currently, he is a volunteer mentor for people with severe diabetes in an online support group. He has worked in education, charity, and commercial organisations, gaining skills in management, leadership, and personal development. Teguh feels that working for Susila Dharma Britain aligns with his inner guidance to help others. He is married, lives in West Yorkshire, and has two wonderful sons. In his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar, writing songs, and singing.
CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS
Christopher is an architect, and works with families to design houses and school buildings using green oak structures made by fellow Subud member Andrew Holloway. He has been a Subud member for a long time, and remembers his dad Jim being very active within Susila Dharma, so when the opportunity to become involved came up it suddenly felt very appealing. In the last ten years his life has been very family-focused with his wife and young son, in Lewes, but he now looks forward to seeing the bigger picture and discovering how he might help with some of the inspiring projects that are taking place around the world.
