Meet the Team

Staff

Dr Francesca Elliott – Heritage Manager

As our first Heritage Manager, Francesca is leading on innovative and collaborative projects to help us bring heritage to life for our community, while overseeing daily operations at Pennine Heritage. This role is part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Huddersfield, giving us access to the resources and knowledge base of the university, through collaborations lead by Francesca. Francesca has a PhD in industrial history and extensive experience in the museums sector.

Chris Grey - Caretaker

Chris is highly experienced in the maintenance of historic buildings, and oversees the upkeep of the Birchcliffe Centre, ensuring the safe and efficient running of the building.

Trustees

Mike Tull - Chair of Trustees

Mike is a former head teacher, HMI, and educational consultant, bringing valuable experience in working with schools and young people to Pennine Heritage. He is active in the local charitable sector, including membership in the Rotary Club and Hebden Bridge Literary and Scientific Society.

Judith Schofield - Vice-Chair of Trustees

A retired Chartered Valuation Surveyor, Judith has extensive professional experience of leadership and project management, and knowledge of the systems and processes required for an efficient and sustainable building.

David Fletcher - President

A founder member of the charity, David has extensive involvement in local heritage and business and is known for his active recue of local heritage assets in the Upper Calder Valley. He is an experienced business director and owner and has several appointments to locally based charity and not for profit organisations.

David Bryan - Treasurer

David is Director of Finance at the Hepworth Wakefield, and has had a distinguished career providing financial leadership in the arts and cultural sector.

Barbara Atack

Barbara is a retired school teacher and current President of the Hebden Bridge Historical Society and forms an important link with one of Pennine Heritage’s key local community partners. She holds extensive experience and knowledge of the Archives held at the charity.

Annette Birch

As an environmental scientist and member of the Landscape Institute Annette has spent her career delivering projects for charitable organisations, local government and private sector clients. The last decade has been specifically heritage based with a focus on Heritage Lottery funded buildings, parks, cemeteries and museums. 

David Greensmith

A qualified barrister, David is now a retired senior civil servant with an ongoing role as a project Leader and Skills Coach working in International Development and a local scout leader.

Philip Kennedy

A well-known local entrepreneur, Philip has extensive business and management experience in the leisure industry and currently runs a local cider brewing business creating jobs in an area of high unemployment. His work includes organizing and sponsoring events and local festivals in Hebden Bridge.

Anthony Rae

Anthony’s interest in heritage began when he studied urban history at Manchester University, which he then applied when working on the regeneration and promotion of the city. He’s lived next to the Birchcliffe Centre for more than 30 years.

Nigel Smith

As a retired librarian with a PhD in History, Nigel brings a wealth of experience to his role as manager of the Hebden Bridge Local History Society Archive, based in the Birchcliffe Centre. This provides an important link with the HBLHS on which many collaborations are built.

Alex Taylor

Alex is our resident photographer, and an expert on the Alice Longstaff photographic collection. He is an electrical contractor, and is part of the team leading the way on energy efficiency at the Birchcliffe Centre.

Polly Webber

Former director of a local Alternative Technology Centre, Polly has 19 years senior management experience and brings important project planning and managerial experience to the charity.