Meet the team

Leadership Team:

Ruth O’Neale – Chair of Trustees  

Ruth O’Neale became a member of the DEI in 2019. Ruth has a degree in Ancient History and a MA in Medieval studies with a particular interest in the lives of medieval religious women.

Ruth works in programme and project management and has worked on technology and data projects for the Met Office, private sector companies and various education and children services organizations. Ruth has a long history of volunteering and community engagement and since moving to Devon in 2011 has been a school governor, involved in the St Thomas allotment association, St Thomas Food Fight (free community meals) and marshalling for the local park run.

Timothy Mayon-White – Hon. Treasurer

Tim works at the Met Office in Exeter having previously had an extensive career in financial services, more latterly senior roles in risk, governance and assurance. He has recently relocated to Exeter, which is where his mother grew up – Tim’s grandfather was Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon to the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital in Exeter from 1946 to 1978. His previous volunteering roles include Chair of Governors (and finance lead) at a Bristol primary school.

Tim read History at the University of York and has retained a life-long interest in the subject. Likewise, he has a love for architecture and in particular understanding how buildings evolve over time. He freely admits he is not an expert in either subject but nonetheless continues to look, read, and learn.

Tim has also registered his interest in the role of Treasurer, when the current Treasurer stands down in 2024.

Tom Staniford – Hon. Secretary 

Tom is a freelance Marketing Consultant, Practitioner, and Lecturer and has lived in Exeter for much of the last 15 years. A Chartered Marketer, he received his Bachelor’s of Law from Exeter and his Master’s of Law from the Université de Rennes l, before returning to Exeter to complete a Master’s of Psychology. His Master’s thesis explored the effects of prototypicality on the mature student experience at the University of Exeter.

With academic and practical interests in marketing, psychology, and law, he is fascinated by stories, the way they are told, and what they represent for people and place. A passionate bibliophile and fan of lifelong learning, he can often be found with his head in a book or eBook.

Tom is a committed cyclist and 2011 British National Para-Cycling Champion, and his passion for wheels has led to growing interests in active travel, accessible transport, and infrastructure design. He is an enthusiastic consumer of single origin coffee, red wine, and single malt whisky – although not at the same time, and never while cycling.

Emma Dunn – Director

Emma is the Director of the Devon and Exeter Institution and recently completed the Next Chapter Project, a major capital development supported by a £1.85 million investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). She previously served as Project Manager for the Institution’s £1 million roof restoration and development programme (2015–2018) and as Partnerships and Programme Manager (2018–2019).

She began her career at the Holburne Museum of Art in Bath, where, as Education and Development Lead, she secured NLHF and Arts Council England funding for a transformational extension that created new galleries and education spaces. The Holburne project was longlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize and shortlisted for the Art Fund Museum of the Year Award.

Before moving to Devon, Emma spent ten years as Education Curator at the Geffrye Museum of English Domestic Interiors in London. During this time, the museum twice received the Sandford Award for Heritage Education. She developed the activity plan for the Unlocking the Geffrye capital project, helping secure major NLHF and Arts Council England grants. The reimagined museum – now the Museum of the Home – went on to receive a RIBA London Award.

Alongside her leadership role, Emma works as a freelance consultant, with clients including Powderham Castle, the V&A, the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration and the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution.

She holds a BA in Book Illustration and Conservation, an MA in Heritage Education and is a Chartered Curator. Her specialisms include strategic collections management, conservation and curatorial practice, inclusive public engagement with an emphasis on social inclusion, the contemporary interpretation of Enlightenment collections, capital development and the long-term care and enhancement of cultural heritage sites – particularly the sensitive adaptation of listed buildings for creative, cultural and educational use.

Emma is a founder and strategic advisor to the Exeter Heritage Partnership; a member of the Culture Theme Group of the Exeter Partnership; a network partner for Exeter UNESCO City of Literature and an Associate of the Museums Association.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Trustees:

Marc Astley

Marc is an experienced journalist, writer, editor and media commentator with a wealth of contacts in the Exeter area.

He worked in the newspaper industry for 23 years during which time he was appointed Chief Reporter of the Leicester Mercury, Assistant Editor at the Hull Daily Mail, Deputy Editor at the Nottingham Evening Post and Editor of the Exeter Express & Echo.

His career highlights included interviewing Sir Cliff Richard in a church in Hull; breaking the exclusive story about Gary Lineker’s plans to retire from football to take up presenting (whatever happened to him?!); being told to go away in no uncertain terms by King (then Prince) Charles; winning several industry awards, including Newspaper of the Year; working with Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden on a child protection campaign and helping to expose a charity conman who was subsequently jailed.

Prior to his media career, Marc spent 18 months as a semi-professional speedway rider and played in an independent band which signed a record deal, recorded three Radio 1 live sessions and released an album and two singles.

Since leaving journalism, Marc has built and sold two businesses and currently owns three others, including his latest venture, an eco beach clothing company. He also edits Exeter Tomorrow, a quarterly business magazine.

Outside of work, Marc enjoys cooking, sea swimming at all times of the year, walking (especially along the South West Coast Path), travel and theatre… especially musicals – but don’t tell anyone!

Marc is a trustee of the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, The Exeter Chiefs charity, and Westbank (a charity that supports the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities across Devon).

He is excited about the prospect of spending more time in the Institution and being surrounded by newspapers as ink is still in his blood.

Prof. Henry French – University of Exeter nominated Trustee

Henry took his first degree and doctorate at the University of Cambridge (in 1989 and 1993 respectively), the latter under the supervision of Keith Wrightson and Margaret Spufford. Since then, he has taught at the Universities of Central Lancashire, Manchester, Essex, and East Anglia, before coming to Exeter in 2001.  His own research has focused on the definition and social identity of ‘middle sort’ within rural society in the seventeenth century. Henry has published articles on this subject in a number of journals, and completed a monograph on this subject which was published by Oxford University Press in July 2007.

Having worked on two research projects with Prof. Richard Hoyle at the University of Central Lancashire between 1994-99, Henry is also co-author of two articles on land ownership and the decline of the small farmer in early modern England. Herny and Prof. Hoyle published a monograph study with Manchester University Press of land ownership in the Essex village of Earls Colne in March 2007, entitled The Character of English Rural Society, 1550-1750: Earls Colne revisited. In recent years, Henry has pursued another theme in agrarian history – the fate of the urban common lands – in two articles published in the Agricultural History Review.

Henry is also the editor (with Jonathan Barry) of a series of essays on the subject of ‘Identity and Agency in Early Modern England’, published by Palgrave Press in 2004, based on a research colloquium held at Exeter in September 2002.  He was awarded an 3-year AHRC research award in June 2007, to study masculinity and the landed gentry between the seventeenth and early twentieth centuries, with Dr Mark Rothery.

Lisa Gordon (Coopted member standing for election in October 2026)

Lisa Gordon is an experienced heritage‑learning specialist and community engagement lead with an established connection to the Devon and Exeter Institution. Her career spans education management, heritage interpretation, and project development, with a particular talent for creating meaningful learning experiences that bring historic places to life.

She has led education programmes at Exeter Cathedral across several years, developing innovative events, exhibitions and partnerships that significantly increased visitor engagement and broadened audience reach. Alongside this, she has delivered successful freelance heritage  and community projects for local trusts and councils, helping parties shape compelling visitor experiences and secure vital funding.

With enthusiasm for outdoor learning, film and theatre, and travel experiences, Lisa’s wider work is rooted in resourceful research, creative programming and a strong commitment to accessibility. As a trained celebrant, bringing a calm, people‑centred approach to communication and decision‑making, helping to create inclusive, thoughtful spaces where everyone feels welcome, is something she endeavours to foster.

She brings energy, insight and passion for the Devon and Exeter Institution’s role as a vibrant cultural hub and genuine enthusiasm for safeguarding and celebrating the Institution’s future in the heart of Devon.

Verity Hesketh (Coopted member standing for election in October 2026)

A quote from Frances Hodgson Burnett captures Verity to a ‘t’: “She is always sitting with her little nose burrowing into books… she gobbles them up as if she were a little wolf.” A Devon-born and bred advocate for reading for enjoyment, Verity believes beautiful public spaces are vital for community, mental health, and civic character.

Professionally, Verity is a strategic Brand Lead, content writer, and photographer. She has managed global identities and campaigns for institutions including The Guardian, Google, and Wellington College. Specialising in future-proofing heritage brands, she excels at translating visions into actionable plans that drive growth and meaningful engagement.

Published over 200 times in the national and regional press, her editorial career spans interviews with everyone from the world’s first carbon-neutral rum distillery and Glastonbury’s vicar to English truffle hunters. She also spent years with Dorset Life researching historical recipes.

Verity brings experience in editorial precision and digital strategy to the DEI, ensuring it remains a vibrant, inclusive force for 2026. Between agonising over apostrophes, she is happiest hiking the moors or in open water. As she notes: “The written word remains, while the spoken flies away.”

Dr Colin Higgins

Colin Higgins is Librarian, Custodian of Artworks, and Fellow at St Catharine’s College, University of Cambridge. He grew up in Dublin, where he studied philosophy at Trinity College. After teaching in China and Russia, he completed a PhD in ancient philosophy at King’s College London, before moving into librarianship.

He is interested in library history, in cataloguing and classification, and in the ways these two subjects interact. His research publications have focused on the nineteenth-century histories of national libraries, libraries in the ancient world, and the intersections between libraries and cultural mythologies.

Colin divides his time between Cambridge and Exeter, where he lives with his partner and two children. He spends too much time watching films, and not enough time reading books.

Hannah Jones

Hannah studied English Literature and History at Edinburgh university and for the past twenty years has worked in the South West for the National Trust in volunteering, learning and interpretation.  Hannah was part of the team that opened Greenway House to the public and helped to develop the public engagement work for the repair of Castle Drogo.

Hannah currently works across Devon and Cornwall helping the National Trust involve volunteers and local communities in its work.  She has been a trustee for DAISI, and is a qualified coach.   Hannah enjoys reading, walking and sings in a community choir and is excited about being part of the team that helps develop the next part of the DEI story.

Jenny McCracken 

Jenny is a Heritage Consultant working in Private Practice across Devon, the South West and further afield. Her role involves working on a wide range of historic buildings and sites, from barns and warehouses to country mansions and castles. Recent projects have included collaborating on Conservation Management Plans for the National Trust and Torbay Council and advising on the sensitive extension of a Lutyens house. Before becoming a Heritage Consultant, Jenny worked for English Heritage helping to manage the unstaffed sites in the West of England for over 7 years. She completed her Masters in Historic Building Conservation at the University of Bath in 2018. Jenny has a keen passion for the historic environment and promoting the understanding and conservation of our heritage. She has a particular love of researching local archives and historic documents.

Before pursuing a career in Heritage, Jenny originally studied Theatre Design at Nottingham Trent University and has a passion for the theatre and arts and in particular costume.  This creative side continues to manifest itself in her pastime as a stained glass artist.

Since moving to Exeter 4 years ago, Jenny has been soaking up the incredible historic treasures found in this beautiful City and County and is keen to put this passion to good use as a Trustee.

Dr Judith Morgane 

Dr Judith Morgane is an established practitioner in cultural heritage who is making a leading contribution to the strategic development and delivery of heritage initiatives in the city of Exeter. As operations manager and programmes lead at St Nicholas Priory, she has reopened the building to the public with a varied performance and community outreach programme.

Judith’s background is in musical theatre production. She has worked all over Europe and was the manager of Cambridge Handel Opera before moving to Devon. She has since taught drama, English and art in secondary school and was the creative lead on various community theatre productions and concerts. Judith holds a PhD in English literature and is an honorary research fellow at the University of Exeter, where she is currently working on the European-funded public-history project “Hidden Cities” at the department of Art History and Visual Culture. Judith holds membership of SATI, the South African Translators Institute, and is a founding member of the Devon and Exeter Medical Heritage Trust.

Mary Olszewska (Coopted member standing for election in October 2026)

Mary is a freelance heritage consultant living just outside Exeter, with a particular interest in evaluating impact and improving environmental responsibility. She set up the Sandford Award winning Bridging the Tamar Visitor and Learning Centre, and has worked for a variety of heritage organisations across the south west, including the National Trust. Mary believes in the positive impact heritage can have on people’s lives and their wellbeing.

In her spare time she enjoys running, being outdoors, and when brave enough, a spot of wild swimming. Mary is looking forward to supporting the DEI in its next chapter.

Ben Travers

Ben is a partner at national law firm Foot Anstey, where he leads the firms’ Intellectual Property practice.  His experience involves building and managing professional service teams, whilst supporting innovative and creative businesses internationally.

Outside work, Ben enjoys reading, running in the south west and is passionate about supporting the region.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….