The Vindolanda Trust is administered by a board of independent Trustees. The board applies its passion, vision and commitment to all aspects of the Trusts operations. Our Trustees meet quarterly to assess the archaeological research, our volunteer, education and staff programmes and ensure total and transparent access to the fruits of its research and to the Trust's facilities.
The Vindolanda Charitable Trust is delighted to announce that Patricia Birley MBE has been appointed as a patron, joining existing patron Robson Green. Together, they bring a shared passion for heritage, storytelling, and the preservation of history.
Patricia Birley was a founding member of The Vindolanda Trust staff, serving as curator alongside her husband Robin Birley, the founding director. Over a remarkable 50-year career with the Trust, Patricia conserved thousands of artefacts, including the Vindolanda Writing Tablets, which were voted Britain’s Top Treasure by the British Museum in 2008. From 2001 to 2015, she served as Director of the Trust, continuing her lifelong commitment to research, discovery, and public engagement.
On her patronage, Patricia said:
“I am honoured to have been offered the role of a patron by the Vindolanda Board of Trustees. It has been my privilege to have engaged in continuous research and development activity with the Trust since its foundation in 1970. As Patron, I shall do my utmost to support the Trust in all its future endeavours.”
Robson Green, who has been a patron since 2018, said:
“What an absolute privilege and honour it will be to be teaming up with Patricia Birley to be patrons of the Vindolanda Trust. For me, Patricia is a true treasure whose love and passion for what she does enriches the lives of so many people. Patricia reminds us all that it is essential to preserve and celebrate our heritage, so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
The Vindolanda Charitable Trust looks forward to working closely with both Patricia and Robson in their roles as patrons, united in a commitment to preserving and sharing the gift of history for the benefit of all.
Has a lifelong passion for understanding the past, his bookshelves are full of history and archaeology texts. Living within sight of Hadrian’s Wall he loves walking in the landscape, visiting sites and being quite nosy at digs. A regular at Vindolanda for more than 20 years, and a Friend for the past decade. He says that Vindolanda has fired his interest in Roman archaeology, complementing a fascination with early medieval history.
Patrick (Pat) is currently chair of Northern Print the regional arts development agency seeking to develop and promote fine art printmaking. He is in his second term as a member of Arts Council England’s North Area Council responsible for making major funding decisions and strategy development. He is also chair of governors at a local school. He volunteers with Dig Ventures.
Now retired Pat’s career followed an interesting route from civil engineering to the arts and education, via senior roles in the civil service. Until June 2023 he was the Vice Principal at The Northern School of Art where he was responsible for curriculum development, industry partnerships, external relations, employability and student recruitment. He also played a key role in raising funds for major capital projects that saw expansion of the Hartlepool campus, a new campus in Middlesbrough and the development of the commercial The Northern Studios project which remains the only large film and TV production facility in the region. Pat was the founding director of the award winning international Northern Festival of Illustration which has seen more than 200,000 visitors to its Hartlepool home and opened-up new opportunities to view and participate in creative activity.
Pat is a Fellow of the RSA and has an MA in economics and politics. He was awarded an MBE for services to the creative industries and higher education.
Gillian is an Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry at Teesside University. After completing a PhD on pottery residues from Cladh hallan, Outer Hebrides, Gillian specialised in mass spectrometry and chromatography method development towards understanding chemical changes within the archaeological environment.
Richard is a communications professional and MBA qualified chartered town planner with wide ranging Director level experience in both the private and public sectors. Currently MD of a Regeneration company with multiple hotel and restaurant interests and previously CEO of private sector led Destination Management & Marketing Agency “Visit Harrogate”, Director of Marketing for a Regional Tourist Board and self-employed planning and business consultant, working with some of the most innovative and commercially minded businesses in the North of England. Always loved Vindolanda for its organisational tenacity and cultural impact on Europe. Like the Writing Tablets, the Vindolanda Trust Charity is also Britain's Top Treasure.
After taking the Natural Sciences Tripos (Honours Botany) I undertook research on the history, ecology and palaeoecology of the small leaved lime tree in the Lake District. This was followed by 6 years working on the National Vegetation Classification based back in Cambridge. Upon moving to Durham I spent the next 40+ years researching plant remains from archaeological excavations focussing on Northern Britain and especially around Hadrian’s Wall, much of which has been published. For the last 20 years this work morphed into a broader advisory role dealing with queries about all aspects of archaeological science especially in relation to planning led interventions, although research and some lecturing continued.
I was delighted, and honoured, to be invited to become a Trustee and continue to investigate plant remains from ongoing excavations at Vindolanda.
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Nicola Iles has extensive experience leading high-profile projects at the heart of government, the Royal Household, and the charitable sector. She was awarded an MBE in 2024 for leading operational delivery of King Charles III’s Accession Council and currently works for the Cabinet Office.
Passionate about history and archaeology since childhood, Nicola read history at Durham and has participated in various excavations at Vindolanda and other UK sites. She also volunteers as an EyeOpener Guide for the British Museum’s Roman Britain gallery and as Heritage Officer for the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry.
Claire is a finance professional and Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) with over 25 years’ experience across multiple industries. She has worked in sectors including technology, media, and higher education, supporting organisations with accounting, financial management, business change and operational improvement projects. An enthusiastic volunteer excavator at Vindolanda for the past ten years, Claire has also been inspired to expand her university studies to include archaeology and history. She now looks forward to combining her professional background with her passion for the past, supporting the Trust in achieving its mission and sharing Vindolanda’s remarkable heritage.
Joining the Board of Trustees in April 2025, Rachel brings extensive experience from a career of over 23 years in the public sector. Specialising in people management, infrastructure planning, and crisis response, her key areas of focus have been organisational learning and strategic engagement.
A graduate of the University of Durham, followed by many years living and working in Northumberland, Rachel has strong connections to the Northeast. Having spent numerous holidays visiting the sites of our rich heritage, including taking part in several excavations at Vindolanda, she has led guided visits to the area, keen to enthuse others with her passion for the past.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, she is an advocate of lifelong learning, improving accessibility for all, and building strong partnerships with likeminded organisations.