Three new trustees have been appointed to the board of Bath Preservation Trust (BPT), the heritage campaign group that owns four museums in and around the city.
Annabel Thomas MacGregor, Donna Speed and Julian Gooding have joined the trust, which owns No. 1 Royal Crescent, the Museum of Bath Architecture, the Herschel Museum of Astronomy and Beckford’s Tower, as it continues a period of rapid change.
Last year it launched its Vision for 2030, which defines the sustainable social, environmental and economic impacts it hopes to make in the city.
It said its new-look board of trustees was vital in communicating and reinforcing this vision.
The new trustees were formally nominated and welcomed at BTP’s recent annual general meeting.
Annabel Thomas MacGregor is director of education at the English-Speaking Union, an international education charity and membership organisation active in more than 50 countries.
She has a passion for education and has worked extensively in the arts and education sectors.
Donna Speed is the CEO of We The Curious, the science centre and educational charity on Bristol’s harbourside, as well as a prominent cultural leader.
BTP said Donna’s ‘people-first approach’ had been fundamental to the success of We The Curious. She also supports and mentors students and charities throughout the West Country.
Julian Gooding is an experienced lawyer and compliance professional who has spent his career working in senior leadership and regulatory governance with banks across the world, including nearly 18 years with Credit Suisse.
Bath Preservation Trust CEO Alex Sherman said he was delighted to welcome them to the board.
“As the organisation grows and develops, we need to ensure that the highest possible levels of relevant expertise are available to us,” he added.
“The breadth and depth of Annabel, Donna and Julian’s respective skills and experience will bolster the pool of overall knowledge and expertise that BPT is able to draw upon.
“It is also really important for us to stimulate fresh ideas and vision for the governance of the organisation.
“All the new trustees share a passion for the city and the work of BPT and we are very fortunate to have them join the charity.”
Robert Dunton, a director in the Bath office of national architecture firm Donald Insall Associates, retired as a trustee at the AGM but will stay on as an advisor to its architecture, planning and place committee.
The changes brought the trust’s total number of trustees to 12, including chairperson Thomas Sheppard DL.
BPT campaigns for and promotes the conservation, sustainable enhancement and celebration of the unique historic built environment and amenity, green setting and global contributions of Bath.
It receives no statutory funding and is supported by visitor income, grants, legacies, donations and members who share a passion for the city and its environs.
As well as launching its Vision for 2030 – which it described as a statement of its intent and aspiration – last year, BPT also developed its learning and engagement offering, museums events, memberships communications and marketing strategy and output.
The Museum of Bath Architecture is currently closed.
