Board Members

Re-elected in 3rd June 2025

Robin is a long-time member of the Board of Trustees, and in the past has also served as Chairman.

Elected in 2025

I’m a retired architect, turned ‘enabler‘ of things cultural, educational and charitable, things stuffed full of heritage and character.

A recent Lit & Phil member, I’ve known Newcastle for years, and was the guiding architect for the lottery-funded Hancock:Great North Museum, a popular, accessible and inviting place.

Over 40 years enabling things, I’ve learnt the vital skill of balancing enthusiasm with grounded pragmatism. I helped re-energise the London Society, delivering more events and members. I was Library Committee chair for 7 years.

In the past year, I’ve been employing that experience for the Lit & Phil, through the Capital Appeal Working Group. I will continue supporting the rejuvenation of the building and its birthday party next year, together with the Lit & Phil’s wider and deeper contribution to our region.

My expertise encompasses Cultural Heritage Management, Historic Building Research, and Archival Collections. I hold a Ph.D. in Archaeology and Classics from Newcastle University, where I serve as a Research Associate on a project focused on the visuals and sounds of ancient Rome. My research is highly interdisciplinary, focusing on sensory perception and architectural design in ancient times. It addresses contemporary issues such as Postcolonialism, Social Engagement, Vulnerability, and Well-Being. My skills include music theory and practice, research and digitisation of manuscripts, books, and photographs in archives, digital modelling and acoustics simulations, terrestrial laser scanning, virtual reality and augmented reality, and music studio recording. I have been working with heritage sites (from the Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna to Blanchland Abbey in the UK), special collections (e.g., Robinson Bequest Scholarships at Newcastle University’s Robinson Library), archives (e.g., the Gertrude Bell Archive) and museums (e.g., Jarrow Hall) for more than 15 years. I am committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, firmly believing that transparency and open discussions on culture can build a better society.

I joined the Lit&Phil in 1985, and I was chairman of the Board from 2011 to 2018. I represent the Lit&Phil on the Tyne and Wear Heritage Forum and on the Newcastle and Gateshead Heritage group. Since its inception I have been active in the bookbinding group, and I chair the regional group of the Society of Bookbinders. I sing in three local choirs, and have been treasurer of the National Association of Choirs since 2009. I was on the editorial board of the Journal of Mathematics and the Arts since its beginning, and have been an associate editor since 2017. I believe that the members of the Lit&Phil are one of its major assets.

Whilst working as Admin Manager at the BMA I was responsible for the recruitment, training and development of new staff throughout the country. I have been a voluntary Newcastle City Guide for 30 years, which includes leading guided tours, historical research, event planning and planning of each season of walks. For the Lit&Phil I planned routes and have written notes for the in-house tours, including the Behind the Books @the Lit&Phil tours and the Ghostly Lit&Phil tours. In addition I have written and submitted several entries for the North of England Tourism Awards, two of which were successfully shortlisted when we received Highly Commended and Bronze awards. I have been a member of the Lit&Phil for over 20 years and feel my skills in managing the above tasks will be of value to the Society.

Elected in 2023

A member of the Lit&Phil since 2023 and one of the many enthusiastic volunteer bookbinders, I love the wonderful offering of books and music, the beautiful building and varied stimulating events — and most of all, the wonderful people you meet here. As a trustee, I hope to help to secure its future.

With a background in adult and community learning, building capacity in the voluntary sector, funding, research and international projects, I’m particularly interested in widening access and participation. It’s also why I have taken on the role of lead trustee on safeguarding.

Apart from preserving the unique building and collection, I believe that we should embrace new technologies to move the society forward, in the spirit of innovation and experimentation of its inspiring founders and early supporters.

Co-opted in 2025

I am delighted to join the Lit & Phil’s board. After studying Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Cambridge, my career has included scientific research, working with the British Council in India, IT leadership roles in the senior civil service, and acting as chair of trustees for a non-profit IT services company. Now self-employed, my work is mainly in technology and management consulting for charities, and pension fund trusteeship. I’m also a churchwarden (and a former member of the Church of England’s General Synod), in which capacity I’ve been involved with relevant activities including safeguarding practice, listed building management, fundraising and grant applications. As a trustee, I should be particularly interested in improving the library’s holdings in STEM subjects and in applying my professional skills to the society’s use of digital technology and its cyber security defences. Other interests include choral music (jobbing tenor singer) and travel.

Elected on 3rd June 2025

This is the view from the rooftop of the Lit and Phil. I moved from Edinburgh to Northumberland over 20 years ago. I am an Associate Lecturer with The Open University teaching interdisciplinary arts modules which include the study of philosophy, creative writing, history, classical studies, art history, religion and English literature, plus third year literature modules. My PhD from the University of Glasgow was on the novels of American author Cormac McCarthy.

My career to date has included time as the operations director of a local soft drinks company (Fentimans), wine valuer for Christie’s auction house in London and as part of the communications team for VisitScotland. I volunteer as a steward at Hexham Abbey and was on the board of the Forum Cinema for several years. I was a panel member for the Children’s Hearing System in Scotland. I am delighted to be joining the very active and committed board of trustees of the Lit and Phil and I aim to work hard to make my own contribution to the ongoing success of this remarkable institution.

Elected in July 2026

This organisation was the first my husband and I joined when we came to the North East last year and I want to contribute to helping it meet the challenges of the present while staying true to the culture and vision of its founders.

I studied law at Oxford and practised information technology and intellectual property law until I retired, with a strong emphasis on drafting and negotiating (and sometimes litigating) big contracts. I was a partner in a very large international law firm, one that prided itself on being truly worldwide and international in culture, ending as person in charge of knowledge management in London.

I have tried to work hard for diversity and inclusion, especially in the LGBT+ space, and am an active member of the board of two other charities, both in that field.

I hope to contribute drafting, negotiating and other expertise to the Lit & Phil wherever I can be useful.