Elections 2023: Candidates

Robert Cox is well known to the ABCC after having been its Treasurer on two previous occasions and most recently between 2021-2023. He is an Accountant, holds a Licenciatura en Administraciòn and a post-graduate degree in NGO management. Though now retired, he has worked, among others, for Deloitte’s, Arthur Young and Suárez & Menéndez. Since 1978 he has represented Moore Stephens International Accounting and Consulting in Argentina.

Charlie Fox has worked in farming business, insurance and corporate services. He brings to the ABCC a wide and varied experience at NGOs such as CREA, St Andrew's Former Pupils' Club, Jockey Club Venado Tuerto and Buenos Aires Cricket and Rugby Club. He has been an active member of the North Riverside District since 2014 and Chairman of the ABCC since 2021. 

Mary Godward is an English language teacher. After teaching English and History in primary and secondary schools, she joined the British Council, where she was the Director for Argentina until 2019. She was also a member of the board of the Buenos Aires English Language Teachers’ Association. Mary is now retired and has been the Honorary Secretary at the ABCC since 2021. She is married and has two daughters.

John Hunter returned to the ABCC Committee in 2021, this time as Vice-Chairman. Many of you may know him from his time as Chairman or following him on his very popular Twitter account about the British legacy in Argentina. He also devotes much of his time to other community organisations such as the British Hospital, St John’s Cathedral, Mission to Seafarers and the Royal British Legion. As well, he is a Freemason and the Chairman of the British Cemetery in Buenos Aires.  

Ralph Kirby has been a very active member of the community in organisations such as the Old Georgian Club, the Cultura Britanica in Quilmes, St George’s College and, most recently, as Chairman of the British Hospital. His wide experience is key in helping us navigate some of the challenges we face. As an alternate member of the Executive Committee, he has successfully worked on straightening out the ABCC legacies.

Penny Ortner has a teaching degree and a Licenciatura en Educación from the Universidad de Quilmes. She also participated in Project Zero at Harvard University. She has taught at many schools, including St George's College and Barker College, which she headed until 2018. Penny has also been active at the English-Speaking Scholastic Association of the River Plate (ESSARP), where she currently delivers training courses for school leaders. 

Raymond Paterson was born in Quilmes and grew up in a number of different places across Argentina. He is a Licenciado en Administración and former tennis coach. At 25 he started working in accountancy at the Canadian Embassy for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. In less than a year he was appointed Senior Accountant and currently is the Common Services Officer. His main duties are in accounting, finance and human resources. Raymond is married and is the father of twins.

Laura Riera is a lawyer and an English language teacher and represents the more creative side of the Committee. In her non-stop life, she has been - and continues to be - involved with many theatrical and film productions, both in the public and private sectors. Many of you probably know her from the Hurlingham Fete, which she has been co-ordinating for six years. She has been a full member of the ABCC Executive Committee since 2021.  

Guillermo Santana MacKinlay is a clinical psychologist and holds an MSc (University of Liverpool), a PhD (Universidad de Belgrano) and a BAH in Gaelic Language and Culture (University of the Highlands and Islands). Over the course of his professional career in Human Resources, he has worked for Citibank, Banco de Galicia, Molinos Río de la Plata and INTA. Guillermo is most well known in the British community for his dedication to Scottish traditions and music as well as the promotion and teaching of the gaelic language. 

Bruce Thompson, born in Hong Kong, has a BA in English and American Literature and a Master’s in Business Administration. He has been living in Argentina since 1995, where he is the Director of International House. You will often see Bruce manning the ABCC stand at fund-raising events. 

Marianne Vibart was the Head of Secondary at St Alban's College between 1998 and 2018. She currently is the Principal of the school. As well, she has been very active at the English-Speaking Scholastic Association of the River Plate (ESSARP) on the Executive Committee, which she joined as a member many years ago and has chaired since 2020.

Juan Wood has lived and worked in both Buenos Aires and Madrid. Five years ago he moved back to Bariloche. He’s specialised in business models, online marketing, cost-reduction strategies and cloud platform adoption. Looking into the future and the growing importance of technology, Juan can make a great contribution to the ABCC and its online presence. Added to this, he is a beer homebrewing enthusiast. He was a full member of the ABCC Committee between 2019 and 2021.