The Powell-Cotton Trust is guided by a dedicated Board of Trustees who bring expertise from across the arts, heritage, science, and local community sectors.
Together, they support the Museum’s vision to care for and reinterpret our collections, ensuring that Quex House, the Gardens, and the Powell-Cotton Museum continue to inspire and engage future generations.
Learn all about our dedicated board of trustees here…
Ceri Ashley – Chair, Board of Trustees, Powell-Cotton Trust
Ceri joined as a trustee in 2024 and became Chair in July 2025. An archaeologist specialising in eastern and southern Africa, she has worked in museums and research institutions across the UK, Africa, and the US. Formerly a curator at the British Museum’s Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, she now serves as a visiting researcher and works with a maritime archaeology foundation. Ceri’s academic career includes posts at UCLA, UCL, and the University of Pretoria where she taught archaeology for 7 years. She also served as a part time visiting professor of cultural heritage at Nottingham Trent University. She is deeply committed to the Powell-Cotton Museum’s decolonial vision, and the ongoing work to re-imagine its collection and bring new voices and stories to the forefront. With experience of working in museums, she is also acutely aware of the trustees responsibilities to safeguard this globally significant collection of natural and cultural heritage, and to work with the Powell-Cotton staff on ambitious plans for its long term preservation.
Patrick Campbell – Trustee
Patrick is Senior Curator of Reptiles at the Natural History Museum, where he has worked for over 38 years, caring for a collection of over 174,000 herpetology specimens. An expert in reptile taxonomy, collection management, and museology, he has conducted fieldwork in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. As a BSAC (British Sub Aqua) qualified professional diver, Patrick has dived on various expeditions on behalf of the museum, investigating marine life and environments from Thailand to the UK. He has worked with various exhibitions in the museum and has led various collection improvement projects including the recent CSIP (Collection Storage Improvement Project) Wildebeest project involving over 20,000 specimens and has a publishing record amassing over 80 peer reviewed co-authored papers, was recently given the privilege of a primary school class in London being named after him and is also a trustee of the Powell-Cotton Museum.
Kirsty Paterson – Trustee
Kirsty is an accomplished leader in culture, environment, and education. She was part of an award-winning marketing and fundraising team at a national museum, advised on a government-sponsored community regeneration programme, and delivered record-breaking media coverage for a UK federation of wildlife conservation charities. In 2025, she planned a successful bid to the Arts Council’s Museum Renewal Fund. Kirsty brings strategy and insights gained from a wide-ranging career, including events and exhibitions, team leadership, campaigns, crisis response, capital projects, local government, digital, and communications. She holds a first-class degree in history and splits her time between Kent and Hampshire.
Rachel May – Trustee
Rachel brings extensive experience in local government and a strong commitment to community development. Having previously served as a school governor, she has a proven record of leadership, collaboration, and advocating for inclusive opportunities. In her volunteer role, Rachel aims to use her local knowledge and governance experience to help create safe, supportive spaces that all visitors can enjoy.
Rachel is passionate about the local area and all that it has to offer both residents and visitors, from the beautiful blue flag beaches to the large number of tourist attractions on offer. Her interests include netball, theatre, and travel, and she has recently returned from a trip to Asia, where she gained experience of their cultures and beliefs.
Rod Giddins – Trustee
Rod has over 20 years’ experience in senior management in leisure, tourism, heritage, and conservation, mainly in the public/not-for-profit sector. He managed budgets over £10m and teams of 250+ staff and volunteers. Roles include Director at Historic Royal Palaces and English Heritage, overseeing major projects and visitor experience. Volunteer work includes Trustee roles and contributions to local heritage initiatives. Lifelong interests: historic buildings, railways, travel, and photography.
Donna Carr – Trustee
Donna joined the Powell-Cotton Museum as a Trustee in 2025, building on her earlier involvement in the Decolonisation and Practice project. With roots in Jamaica and Nigeria and a background in community development, education, and public health, Donna brings both personal insight and professional experience to the Board. She’s passionate about making museums more inclusive and ensuring that the voices and stories of source communities are represented with honesty and respect.
