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).

Please find our latest impact report here: 3443.Bristol Museum Impact Report A5

Become a Trustee

We are currently recruiting for 3 trustee positions including a Treasurer and a Chair. If you are interested in joining our board please see the recruitment pack below. We’re asking for expressions of interest with CVs to be sent to [email protected] by 24 October.

To find out more please visit: Bristol Museums Development Trust_Recruitment Pack_01.10.25

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 economic 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 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. 

 

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 5million members). 

Celia Downie

Celia is Bristol-born and bred.  A history graduate and teacher, with a special interest in conservation and heritage including listed gardens. She has previously been a school governor for a decade and Trustee of an Education Trust. Celia spent some years in local government as an elected member, as Chair of a Parish Council and on Avon County (Education and Planning Committees).  On South Gloucestershire her experience included serving on a Home Office Committee and Local Government Association Finance Group, as well as chairing the West of England in Europe Partnership.

After this time Celia completed a Masters in Garden History at Bristol University and spent three years as Chair of the Bath and Bristol SPAB Regional Group, at the same time running her own business for 13 years before joining BMDT in early 2026.

Involved in a conservation area review in South West Cornwall, and enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren who have become enthusiastic visitors to museums and art galleries.

 

 

Ed Fay 

Simon is Ed Fay is Director of Library Services and University Librarian at the University of Bristol, responsible for Library strategy, University learning environments, and the Centre for Cultural Collections. He has a decade of experience in higher education leadership and has developed a consciously human-centred approach to community and service development recognising that equitable access to knowledge makes a real difference in people’s lives. He has particular interests in strategic planning and governance, financial management and organisational development, and progressing the civic mission of universities. 

 

 

Liz Harris

Liz has 30 years experience a

s an Insurance Claims Negotiator; managing multi-million pound claims, with an extensive network of experts in their fields. She has worked with numerous Insurance

 Companies across the Country, and has qualifications in Contract and Statutory Law.  Liz has had to assess future financial risks, carefully weigh up important decisions and work alongside different stakeholders. A firm believer in good communication and collaboration to resolve complex issues.   Liz is now Assistant Practice Manager at a  local Barristers Chambers; she uses her experience to support and assist the business development of the Chambers and the Barristers.

Having lived in the Bristol area all her life she has always had a passion for the Museums and the History they share; believing we improve our future by understanding our past.  For Liz and her family, the Museums are a sanctuary, away from the pace of modern life, for reflection as well as education.  She has a particular interest in how Museums will innovate for the future generations. Liz is a creative person, with a keen interest in Art and likes to paint in her spare time.

Liz’s husband, Phil works for a local youth charity, specialising in training young people to become Outdoor Instructors.  Her 2 teenage daughters have

 

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. 

 

Huw James 

Huw James works in policy planning and delivery for Business West, engaging with leaders to support successful public-private partnerships for green and inclusive economic development in the South West. Huw has previous experience as a fundraiser for political parties in the UK and European Union, and working in People Operations within the Clean Tech Sector. 

Previously, Huw was a Councillor for Portishead South with a keen interest in transport and opening up community engagement to underrepresented voices in the district. Huw chaired the scrutiny of Economy and Skills for the West of England Combined Authority, and was the youngest ever non-executive director for a Housing Association in the UK as a board member for Alliance Homes Group as the sector refocused on equity, diversity and inclusion, climate justice, and delivering more ambitious housing delivery targets. 

Huw is passionate about using culture as a tool to tackle many of our areas problems, such as tackling inequalities within our city and wider region, working towards climate justice, and telling the stories of Bristol’s past, its strengths, and its future.  

 

Ian Oxley

Ian is the Head of Growing Support at the National Trust, Europe’s largest conservation charity. He is accountable for defining and delivering the new member and donor recruitment programme, growing income for the National Trust, broadening and diversifying its supporter base, and developing long lasting relationships with supporters. Ian has worked at the National Trust for over twenty-five years, nurturing and developing a passion for culture and heritage, strengthening a belief in the transformative impact it can have on people’s lives, and playing a key role in doubling the size of National Trust membership in that time.

Outside of work Ian has a passionate and lifelong interest in music and is the Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees at St George’s, a world class independent music venue in the heart of Bristol

Jocelyn Ormond 

Jocelyn has been a practising lawyer for over 25 years, for most of that time in Bristol, advising businesses, investors, charities and public sector organisations on strategic transactions and governance. He is a Partner in the Corporate department and Bristol Location Head at Ashfords, a firm of solicitors of over 500 people. 

A History graduate and enthusiast, he has a particular interest in art and social history, material culture and the role of museums in encouraging wider understanding of our past and the world in a nuanced way that draws on a range of perspectives. He is a frequent visitor to museums, archaeological sites and country houses across Britain, as well as having visited museums in many other parts of the world. 

His other previous experience includes working on healthcare policy, serving as a director of an art dealing company and being a primary school governor. 

Vicky Smith

Vicky is a trained architect and for many years worked in the private sector and ran an award-winning architectural practice with her husband.

In 2008 she moved into the public sector and led on the delivery of major projects including, Eastside Park and Centenary Square in Birmingham. At Bristol City Council, as Head of City Design, she led on spatial frameworks and urban design policies for growth and regeneration in the city. In Dudley she set up and led the Projects and Placemaking team to co-ordinate the delivery of over £1billion of regeneration projects. Since April 2024 she has been Exec Director for Strategy & Major Projects at National Museums Liverpool.

Outside of her interests in art and architecture Vicky has been a school governor and as a keen runner has, for the last 20 years, organised a 10k off road race in the Midlands.