The Monte San Martino Trust is a registered charity operated by MSM Trust Ltd, a company limited by guarantee. Based in London, it has a representative in Monte San Martino in the Marche, Antonio Millozzi, who co-ordinates activities in Italy.The Trust’s students’ organiser and the only paid official is Susan Wilson, who is responsible for the welfare of the Italians awarded one-month bursaries. A New Zealand-born artist, she lives in London and is an academic member of the NZ Studies Centre at London University.

The Trust’s officials are:

Sir Nicholas Young (Chairman)

Chief Executive of British Red Cross and knighted for services to cancer care. Son of Fontanellato escaper Major Leslie Young, who got through Allied Lines near Anzio.

Nicholas Gent (Treasurer)

Half Italian and a frequent visitor to Italy from his home in Somerset. Investment Director of Rathbones, a London-based company specialising in private client fund management.

Hon. Letitia Blake (Secretary)

Daughter of historian Lord Blake who escaped from Sulmona and reached Allied Lines after nine weeks.Speaks Italian and helps to co-ordinate the students   

Other Trustees:

Caroline Gavin

Instrumental in getting the Trust off the ground in her capacity as a founding trustee. Supports the bursary programme by entertaining students at her London home. Also has a house in Tuscany.

Ian Laing

Chairman of several science-based companies and of Stanhope, a property development company. Was Deputy Chairman of London Business Schooland currently Governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Son of Anthony Laing, a PoW who escaped from Fontanellato.

Sir Thomas Richardson

Retired diplomat who was British Ambassador to Rome from 1996 to 2000. Currently chairman of the governing body of the British Institute of Florence.

John Simkins

Journalist and frequent visitor to Italy. Son of Anthony Simkins, PoW at Sulmona, Montalbo and Fontanellato (escaped but recaptured and sent to Germany).

Christine English

Organiser of annual MSMT/Fontanellato luncheons and daughter of Major Ian English, PoW at Fontanellato and author of Home by Christmas?

Vanni Treves

Born in Florence, son of an Italian partisan killed in 1944. Came to England in 1946. A solicitor, non-executive chairman of Equitable Life and chairman of various other organisations. Past chairman of Channel 4 and London Business School.