Our People

Ian Gadd

Chair of Directors

Previously Chair of the ‘Forward to the Future’ Steering Group, Ian recently oversaw a ‘digitally powered’ campaign of revitalization for the institution. Ian is a Professor of English Literature at Bath Spa University and currently oversees much of the University’s international projects and collaborations.

Andreas Wasmuht

Chair of Programme & Acting Chair of Management

Andreas works with our Programme sub-committee to deliver a world class lecture programme, covering an eclectic mix of subjects, and playing host to speakers renown across the world. He has been a big driving force behind the development of our online programme and programme archive. In addition, he is acting chair of management, working with the institutions Directors/Trustees on governance and organisational review.

Chris Garcia

Grants and Donations

Chris works hard to make sure the institution keeps looking “Forward to the Future” with the help of grants from the National Lottery and Art Fund. These grants help Bath Royal LSI strengthen its offering for future generations, with this last year witnessing the launch of a new website, exhibition and digital app all bought into existence by this vital source of revenue.

Henry Ford

Chair of Collections

When he’s not playing bagpipes in the Jenyns room, Henry Ford supports Curator Matt Williams hatch plans to best nurture and share BRLSI collections with our ever increasing visitors. This year having fun making the collection accessible with the help of google arts, Henry oversaw film projects which invited the curious among us to see some of the amazing things that take place behind the scenes of a museum.

Dick Bateman

Chair of Membership

If you ever attended one of Bath Royal LSI’s infamous parties and left with a smile on your face, then chances are you will have come across our Chair of Membership, Dick Bateman. Dick strives to make us warm, inclusive and unstuffy, and to ensure our members get the best they deserve. He puts members’ interests at the forefront of his mind in all decision-making. If you would like to be involved please get in touch with him.

Joe Houlihan

Chair of Virtual BRLSI

As Chair of Virtual BRLSI, Joe has had a rather interesting year, working hard to ensure BRLSI’s content has been available to view online during the national lockdown. He has also built the Virtual BRLSI YouTube channel from scratch. This amazing visual archive now hosts over one hundred videos and makes BRLSI talks available at any time of day or night, anywhere in the world.

David Haywood

Membership Secretary

As BRLSI Membership Secretary, David works with colleagues from across the Institution to respond to our valuable members’ needs. He has been involved in all branches of the BRLSI’s work and policy writing, and as chair of the Covid Response team has helped to ensure our visitors are safe and well looked after.

Joe Willson

Chair of Finance

Joe has kept his steady hand on Bath Royal LSI’s financial tiller during a global pandemic. Not only are our finances stable, our lecture programme made as much revenue this year as in pre-pandemic times. Astonishing!

Julian Vincent

Chair of Publications

As Chair of Publications, Julian not only sells our books (in-house and online), he strives to ensure we produce titles both the public and the bookshops in the local area are interested in. Of our most recent publications, our Adela Breton book and History of the BRLSI pamphlet have been among our most popular.

Gerie Herbert

Communication and Activities Manager

Gerie Herbert is responsible for Bath Royal LSI communications and alongside oversees all matters Front of House. She is the first point of contact for any volunteering, front of house issue, event or press enquiry and if you would like to contribute your skills, ideas or time to us in any way she would be delighted to hear from you!

Betty Suchar

Archives

Betty was part of the team involved in the re-opening of the institution in the 1990s and has dedicated herself to developing our mission to educate and entertain ever since. Formerly Chair of Management and Directors, she now spends her time researching key figures in the institutions history.

Jude Harris

Exhibitions Co-Curator

A core member of the Bath Royal LSI Team for over 25 years, Jude Harris has been a integral figure within collections, helping co-curate exhibitions and plays the leading creative force behind many cultural campaigns such as the one to highlight the contributions of women to Bath Life.

Matt Williams

Collections Manager (Curator)

Matt Williams is responsible for the care and promotion of our museum, library, and archive collection. A palaeontologist by training and a Museum Curator by vocation, he manages a team of dedicated and passionate volunteers, to both share this knowledge with the public and to conserve the objects and their associated data for future generations.

Paul Browne

Paul Browne

Manager Room Hire

Paul manages Bath Royal LSI’s beautiful rooms and offers AV provision for meetings and room hire bookings. You can contact Paul with any of your Room Hire enquiries and he is always happy to help you with every aspect of your booking and event.

Elham Jones-Redman

Operations Technician

Elham is part of our room hire team aiding with room set up and audio-visual equipment. She is always happy to assist with any enquiries you may have. Elham also forms part of the institutions digital marketing and website team.