Simon Xavier Guerrand-Hermès
Co-Founder & Honorary President
Simon Xavier Guerrand-Hermès is the Co-Founder and President of the GHFP. He was formerly the GHFP’s Chairman of the Board, and is now the Foundation’s Honorary President. He was the Vice Chairman of Hermès de Paris, and board member of Hermès International. He is the Chairman of Eden Development. Simon Xavier completed his graduate studies in Harvard Divinity School with a focus on religion and spirituality. He also holds an Honorary Fellowship at Oxford University. He served as the Treasurer of Religions for Peace for a number of years. In 2006, he was awarded the Officer of the National Order of the Légion d’Honneur in France.
Sharif Istvan Horthy
Co-Founder & Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Sharif Istvan Horthy is the Co-Founder and Chairman of the GHFP’s Board of Trustees. He was born in Hungary, and is the grandson of Admiral Horthy (Regent of Hungary 1920–1944). He studied physics at Oxford University and civil engineering at Imperial College. At 25, Sharif embraced Islam. He has worked as a civil engineer and business consultant in Britain, Indonesia and the USA. He is currently living in the UK. Sharif is also on the advisory board of the Three Faiths Forum, a Trustee of the Museum of World Religions (UK), and the former Chair of the Trustees of Lewes New School.
Alexandra Asseily
Trustee
Alexandra Asseily is a psychotherapist. She is a governor and co-founder of the Centre for Lebanese Studies, Oxford, a founding member of the Ara Pacis Initiative, and a former member of the Advisory Board of the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard University. In 1998 Alexandra initiated Hadiqat As-Samah, the Garden of Forgiveness, in downtown Beirut. She is actively involved in the Healing the Wounds of History Programmes worldwide.
Prof Patrice Brodeur
Trustee
Prof Patrice Brodeur is a Senior Adviser at the KAICIID Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue. He previously held the Canada Research Chair on Islam, Pluralism and Globalisation at the University of Montreal. Patrice completed his doctorate studies at Harvard University. He completed a three-week tour of six Arab countries to lecture on Pluralism in Canada and in Islam, organised by the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is the author of several books and numerous articles, including Towards a Pluralist Paradigm: Religion and Democracy in the 21st Century.
Isni Astuti Horthy
Trustee
Isni Astuti Horthy is a professional translator with a background in Javanese spirituality. She has dedicated her life to translating the words of Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo, a Javanese spiritual leader and the founder of Subud, an international interfaith movement. Isni’s work focuses on articulating how individuals’ inner and spiritual experiences can have application in our everyday lives in the world.
Muhammad Ridwan
Trustee
Muhammad Ridwan is an Indonesian businessman specialising in investment and property development. He has been actively encouraging social enterprises and development projects in Indonesia. Muhammad serves as the Chairperson of Subud Indonesia, an interfaith spiritual community. His philanthropic work largely focuses on supporting individuals’ spiritual growth, especially the development of young people.
Andrew Holloway
Trustee
Andrew Holloway is a master designer and maker. He is the founder and ex CEO of the Green Oak Carpentry Co., designers, engineers and makers of structures that have expanded the understanding of what is possible in timber. His co-authored book, Green Oak in Construction, with Arup and TRADA, showcases some of this work. He is on the International Wood Committee of ICOMOS (advisory to UNESCO) and is a visiting lecturer for the MSc in Timber Conservation at the Weald and Downland Museum near Chichester. Through GHFP, he is supporting human valuing and love in the work of achieving human wellness and flourishing for all. He is a lifelong member of the international interfaith group Subud.