Bristol Museums Development Trust

Set up in 2008 to support M Shed’s development, today this independent charity raises funds for all visitor sites and museums, the collections, learning and many other activities undertaken by Bristol Museums and Bristol Archives. Bristol Museums Development Trust is a registered charity (no. 1137777).

Become a Trustee

We are not currently recruiting more trustees at the moment. However we are always are always interested to receive speculative expressions of interests for future recruitment rounds.

To find out more please visit: Bristol Museums Development Trust Trustee Recruitment pack v2 (1)

Our Trustees

Sam Alvis

Sam leads the Economy theme for the Green Alliance, putting actions that meet our climate objectives and restore nature at the heart of the UK’s economy post-Covid-19. He is responsible for fundraising for the programme and Green Alliance’s wider work on climate, environment and resource use.

Before joining the Green Alliance Sam was a Senior Advisor to Tony Blair leading initially on Home Affairs and subsequently UK economic policy. Previously he worked on Brexit and Industrial Strategy for the Wellcome Trust, as well as challenging issues like animals in research, gene editing and charity related policy for both the Trust and the Museum. Before joining Wellcome he supported Labour’s Shadow Treasury team in UK Parliament. He continues to advise the Labour Party, sitting on the Executive of Labour Coast & Country.

Outside of work Sam is a school governor and resources lead for a UK state school, and a mentor for disadvantaged 15-17yr olds through the Social Mobility Foundation. He is also a member of Chatham House’s Panel of Young Advisors, advising on youth strategy and climate. He holds a MSc in Climate Change and Geography BSc from Edinburgh, and grew up in rural Gloucestershire.

Councillor Craig Cheney

Craig Cheney is Deputy Mayor of Bristol and a Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance, Culture and City Economy. Craig has responsibility for the council’s budget and capital program, property portfolio, and the professional services. Craig holds the portfolio for Culture and Creative Services and the City Economy. Prior to becoming Deputy Mayor, Craig has many years experience working in Business Change and Transformation with a keen interest in arts and culture.

Craig is on the Board of Trustees at Bristol Old Vic, Bristol & Bath Regional Capital, Bristol Music Trust, is Co-Chair of Period Friendly Places, and of course a board member of Bristol Museums Development Trust. He is a Labour councillor for the Hillfields ward.

Ellie Denney

Ellie is a strategic marketing consultant with nearly 20 years’ marketing experience in the not-for-profit sector. Ellie has been recognized as someone at the forefront of the British Digital Industry, through BIMA 100 (2016).

She has significant experience leading digital marketing teams and specializes in strategic digital marketing planning, the creation of multi-channel customer experiences, and effective channel integration to enable growth. She recently set up her own business, The Marketing Den – a digital marketing consultancy for charities and visitor attractions.

Prior to working as a strategic marketing consultant, Ellie was Head of Digital Marketing for the National Trust, where she established the foundations of the National Trust’s long-term digital marketing success and transformative growth in digital revenues. During her 7 year tenure, the National Trust experienced unprecedented growth (including a doubling of memberships to over 5 million members).

Simon Face

Simon Face has business experience at board and senior management level across a range of disciplines including – Strategy, Marketing and Communications; Leadership and People Development; Governance and Director Responsibilities. As such he is an innovative lateral thinker who can quickly see and make links across disciplines.

Following on from his leadership roles with business organisations in the South West England, this experience means he is well-connected in the region.

Simon is a Non-Executive Director of Partners in Bristol, a subsidiary of City of Bristol College providing online learning and development, as well as Trustee of Bristol Museums Development Trust.

Simon is currently active in strategy, marketing and leadership consultancy and project work, as well as acting as a mentor for entrepreneurs and business owners through the UK Government ‘Help to Grow’ Business Mentoring scheme. He also enjoys leading heritage talks and tours at the Aerospace Bristol museum.

Fiona Hallworth

Fiona’s career has spanned consultancy, leadership, management and teaching. As an ISI Inspector for 24 years she developed a consultancy profile working on projects for BAE Systems, Australian and UK software companies, the Malaysian Government, Shanghai University, Bristol China Partnership, UKTI and private Preparatory and Secondary Schools in UK and India.

Fiona has evaluated schools and their students in the UK, Europe, South Africa, Mexico, China, Japan, the USA and Australia. Working in Pakistan at the HO of a large chain of 500 private schools (aka ‘The City School’) she enjoyed training Heads in school improvement, contemporary education pedagogy, business policy and modern marketing strategies. She also set up the country’s first art and culture festival in Lahore.

In between all of the above she has run a small antiques business, been a director of a ski holiday company and a Trustee of three Bristol arts organisations. She has recently contributed to a publication of short stories and is writing three books in-between her own art projects.

Nigel Hardy

Nigel is passionate about both the city of Bristol and Arts & Culture. He also has an interest in the charity sector. He is the Bristol Managing Partner of Evelyn Partners (formerly Tilney Smith & Williamson).

Evelyn Partners provides professional and financial services to private clients and their business interests. Nigel’s background is in audit with sector specialisms in financial services, professional practices and charities.

Nigel has advised a wide range of charitable organisations with particular emphasis on culture, education and the museums sector. He has worked with many boards advising on accounting, governance and strategic matters.

Nigel also acts for a large number of corporates and is well connected across the city. He is a past master of The Guild of Guardians and is actively involved in the corporate life of the city.

As Chair of Trustees Nigel tries to bring his personal and technical skills for the benefit of the Trust. Married with three adult children and two grandchildren he also enjoys visiting our (and other!) exciting museums and art galleries with his growing family.

Karen White

Karen joined the Board four years ago. She is a trained journalist and communications specialist and now runs her own agency focusing on clients in the arts and charity sector. Previously she has worked both in consultancy and in house, latterly running the Europe, Middle East and Africa region for a multinational organisation specialising in weight management and wellness products. She has held a number of Non-Executive board positions, currently including Pahar Trust Nepal, which builds schools and health facilities in remote areas of the country. Karen is also a volunteer steward at The Stradling Collection in Bristol.