Meet the Committee

The British Association of Seoul is a voluntary organisation run by an elected committee. Any registered member can join the committee. If you would like to get involved email: basseoul@yahoo.co.uk, we'd love to hear from you!

Honorary Chair - Fiona Jane Uden

Born in Jersey Channel Islands 1960.

Educated in Drury Falls School, Hornchurch Essex.

Started Ballet at an early age and was accepted at The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in London.

Continued to dance with many different dance companies overseas, including Korea, until she met and married Martin Uden (then second secretary in the British Embassy) in 1980.

Posted with her husband to Bonn, Germany 1986, back to Korea 1994-1997, Ottawa Canada 1997-2001, and San Francisco 2003-2007.

Returned to Seoul for a third time in February 2008

During overseas posting has worked with flowers and local interests. Two sons Thomas and Matthew.

Interests include travel, ballet, music, swimming, and reading.

President - Sue Hollands

I followed my husband out to Seoul in January 2004 after packing our home up in Kent, as this is our first overseas posting. I have two children, a daughter and a son who are both back in the UK. My son is working and my daughter is in her fifth year of architecture. We initially came to Korea on a 2 year posting which has been extended over the years. Within a few days of arriving here I was at one of the BASS welcome meetings and haven’t looked back since. Before I knew it I was on the BASS committee and in 2005 I was elected President. I thoroughly enjoyed my year in office and made lots of friends as well as having fun on the way. I’m delighted to join the committee again and look forward to welcoming newcomers to BASS and making their life in Korea as enjoyable as possible.

Vice President (Administration & Secretary) - Suzan Walsh

I have worked long years in the hospitality business where work is 24 hours a day. Even then I still made time to work for social and welfare groups. I was on the advisory committee of a Foundation to help Orphaned Children and a member of a Rotary club in Turkey. It was, and still is, Rotary in the UK, followed by Dubai International Women’s Club in Dubai and presently BASS in Seoul. I love working for a cause and I find BASS a wonderful and fun group to be with. I am in Seoul with my husband Mike. Both graduates and working, our son and his wife live in Dubai and our daughter and her husband in Leeds. Puzzles and crosswords, books and lately photography are my interests. In my “retirement”, I set myself the target of studying English literature and I am trying to explore Korean culture which I find fascinating. In my role with BASS, I wish to be able to recognise all our members by name. So I look forward to meeting you all.

Vice President (Social & Hospitality)- Doreen Jones

Hi everyone, I arrived in Seoul on September 1st 2006, along with my husband Daniel and our Labrador, Fudge. We have previously lived in The Netherlands , Greece and Indonesia. I very quickly was welcomed by the expat community, and was fortunate enough to enjoy the Enchanted Evening hosted by the British Ambassador and BASS in my second week of being here. I found the expat community to be very “pro-active”, maybe because we are so small, and I welcomed the invitation to be part of the events team, with an aim of making it an eventful year for all of us.

Welfare Chairperson - Sophie Dencher

My husband Robert and I arrived in Seoul in October 2005, with 3 of our 4 kids and our dog, having left our eldest son on his own at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Though at 6'5" he can look after himself, it felt strange without him, for all of us. Our daughter has since graduated here so that leaves one at the SFS and one at the British School. That we settled in so quickly, was for a large part due to the wonderful reception we got from so many people here and BASS has certainly played an important role for me. We have lived in the UK twice, Sweden and China. Undertaking a welfare role in China wasn't easy due to government restrictions so I'm delighted to have this opportunity here and really enjoy traveling through out Korea finding new projects for BASS to support and getting to know so many wonderfully dedicated people in the process.

Membership - Joanne O'Brien

My name is Joanne (Jo) O’Brien. My home is Sydney, Australia. My husband Brian is originally from Ireland, but our life in Seoul is our first expat assignment. Whilst there was no definite assignment period we initially did not see past 2 years but now we are well into our 5th year – so we either have lost the formula to return home or life must be OK. I was introduced to BASS by a friend and I soon discovered that the various activities offered by being a part of BASS, helped me enjoy my life in Seoul all the more. Recently I have been working with the Welfare Sub-Committee and when I heard that the main committee needed volunteers, I thought I would like to offer some help, as I felt it would be nice to give something back to BASS. BASS offers excellent support for all those who wish to be involved from the monthly meetings, the newcomers coffee mornings, the monthly outings through to the various evening events where our partners can be involved. I am enjoying my life in Seoul and have acquired some new skills such as learning about Indian cooking [cooking rice has become a labour of love instead of a drama], and trying to play bridge and mahjong. However I have to say that nothing will beat walking around one of Seoul’s market – not that my husband would share my enthusiasm.

Treasurer - Barnaby Hampson

Born in France but thereafter a Londoner. Left university to pursue a career in Accounting, which has led me from Banking & Insurance onto New Zealand and now to Seoul. I am recently married to Suzanne (a Kiwi) and have been working as Schneider Electric's CFO in Korea for almost 2 years. Enthusiast of food, wine, reading & writing, cinema, travelling and many different sports. (anything that doesn't include numbers!)

Events Team - Min Long

David and I arrived in September 2007, Seoul being our 5th overseas posting. We have a son, an accountant, who works in Hong Kong and a daughter, a lawyer , based in London. The other postings included Paris, Nigeria, philadelphia and Hong Kong. I had a wonderful time meeting so many people through involvement in committees ,various activities of clubs and learning the different cultures and food. Nigeria, classifed as "hard-ship posting" was most memorable as I was involved with raising funds for the women and children of Aids . I enjoy hiking, travelling , reading and dancing. Now in Seoul, I look forward to being a part of Bass and to learn more of Korean culture.

Events Team - Rica Abbbott

I am very new to Seoul having moved here last February 2008 during the lunar New Year which was a very quiet time for expats. I had so much time in my hands and discovered BASS through the internet. My social life immediately changed just after attending one coffee morning at Fraser Suites. I am looking forward to exploring Korea through the BASS activities and meeting new friends. I always believe that the people you meet makes the experience a full one, just like the friends we made in Karachi, Pakistan, our last posting. We have lived in Hong Kong, Lausanne and London.

Events Team - Sally Robinson

Andy and I only arrived in Seoul in February 2008 but thanks to the busy expat community and the warm welcome from BASS I settled into life here very quickly. I have found Seoul to be busy, friendly and very interesting. Korea is our second posting overseas the first being Melbourne, which was a great place to spend 18 months. I have two children who are both back at home in the UK. My daughter has just started work as a theatre nurse and my son is a very busy plumber. My interests are travelling, hiking, yoga and reading. I was pleased to be asked to join the committee and feel its a good way to make friends and hopefully enjoy some great events!

Korean Liaison & Events - Maria MacKay

I am Korean and have lived in Seoul for my whole life except for studying MBA, Business Management in USA for three years. I met my husband, Gavin during my summer vacation from USA as an event organizer in Seoul. Since then we have married in Seoul and lived here continuously. We have one son, 21 years old, Ranald who is studying in Australia. I have twenty two years professional experience with multinational companies in Korea. I had my own company, Bridge, a relocation company primarily providing services for incoming expatriates. Now, I am Vice President of Gavin’s Sausages. I have been a member of BWG since 1989 and worked as a committee member as Korean Liaison for most of these years. I enjoy meeting new people and like helping expatriates bridge the cultural gap between their countries and Korea.

Newsletter - Rebecca Cornee

My husband and I came to Korea in November 2005. I thoroughly enjoyed our previous postings in Guam and Macau but coming to Korea has been by far the most exciting move yet. There is a thriving expat community and plenty to do. I've settled into life here very quickly - thanks to the warm welcome I received from BASS, through which I've met many good friends. As well as BASS, I spend my time volunteering at a baby orphanage, practising yoga, reading, cooking and travelling.

Website - Irene Waters

I have been living in Seoul since October 2005. My husband, David and I just love Seoul. We consider our posting as a ‘privilege’ as it is one of the unrivaled ways of experiencing the country’s culture and its people. Prior to Seoul, we were in Singapore for 2 years and the UK for 6 years. As well as making many friends through BASS, I have the fantastic opportunity to help out at BASS at the same time learning along the way.