He is currently Pro Vice Chancellor Emeritus at UWE, Governor of Hartpury University and Executive Director of BBRC Homes.

Bill is an avid sports fan and uses his skills to encourage and enable sport in Bristol. He is a trustee of the Locklease Sports Centre Trust and was formerly a director of the South Bristol Sports Centre.

It is a great honour, and a privilege,  to be the President of the Anchor  Society which is now starting  its 252nd year. As a Bristolian I am particularly proud  to take up this position and to have the opportunity to give something back to  older people in need,  in our community.

As a result of  covid-19 these are exceptionally challenging times especially as covid  is a disease which seems to have unfairly targeted the elderly. Our work this year then is particularly important as we seek to increase the emotional and financial well-being of older people in need.

Where possible we should help people live comfortably at home. I intend to make my theme during my year of office tackle exactly that, by supporting homes and alleviating loneliness.

I hope to use my 24 years experience  as Director of Finance and Pro Vice-Chancellor, at the University of the West of England, to support this theme. I am particularly committed to  enhancing   our property holdings and  taking forward our projects which  include  a new style of inter-generational living  and  promoting  the simplification  of  technology for the elderly through supporting research in robotics and sensors.

I would like  to pay tribute to Francis Montagu for enhancing the contribution of the Society during 2020, and to express my thanks to him and previous Presidents and members  for their support and encouragement, and last but not least, to thank  Richard Pendlebury and Catherine Watts for providing  the engine room to  the Society.

Bill Marshall