About Us

Barnsley Museums & Heritage Trust is a fundraising charity founded in 2015 to help preserve, enhance and champion the borough’s heritage for the future.

The Trust – a voluntary independent board of community champions – aims to generate funds and support of individuals, businesses and organisations to safeguard the future of Barnsley Museums, as a source of learning, curiosity, inspiration and enjoyment for all.

The Trust raises funds and support for five free-entry heritage attractions in Barnsley: Experience Barnsley, Cannon Hall Museum Park & Gardens, Worsbrough Mill and Country Park, The Cooper Gallery, and Elsecar Heritage Centre.

Meet our Trustees
Our trustees are a group of independent community champions who all have a combined interest and wealth of experience to ensure the future of our venues. Their mission is to create a positive impact for Barnsley’s communities by enabling activities, events and the protection of our arts, culture and rich heritage for future generations.

Paul Jagger MBE – Chair of BMHT
Paul was Pro-Chancellor of the University of Bradford and Regional Secretary of the Trades Union Congress for Yorkshire and the Humber. He was also President of the Chamber of Commerce for Sheffield as well as for Barnsley and Rotherham. Paul has served in the University sector as Chair of the Consultative Council of UCAS and a member of the national negotiating team at UCEA. He also served for four years as Chair of the employers’ panel a NEST (National Employers Savings Trust). Today, as well as his role with BMHT, he is Chair of Thomas Rotherham College and Vice Chair of The Inspire Trust.

Ian McMillan – Poet and Broadcaster
Ian is poet-in-residence for The Academy of Urbanism and Barnsley FC. He presents The Verb every week on BBC radio and is a regular on BBC Breakfast, Coast, Pick of the Week, You & Yours, Last Word and The Arts Show.

John Hamshere – Chief Executive, Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust
Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust manages three historic industrial museums in Sheffield: Kelham Island Museum, Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet and Shepherd Wheel.

David Exley – Managing Director, Ledgard Jepson
Ledgard Jepson specialises in branding, marketing and digital services and has worked with high-profile clients across the UK and abroad.  David was responsible for the recent rebranding of Barnsley Museums as well as for Birmingham Museums Trust.  He is a member of the Barnsley Economic Partnership with a special interest in the visitor economy.

Lee Manterfield – HSBC Corporate, Relationship Director, SYCC
Lee is responsible for HSBC’s major corporate clients across the South Yorkshire Region.  He was born and brought up in Barnsley. He is a member of the Barnsley Economic Partnership.

Graham Walker, commercial content editor for Johnston Press
Graham Walker is a multi-award winning journalist and commercial content editor for Johnston Press. His responsibilities often take him all over the county but he describes Barnsley as home. Graham currently represents over 50 titles including The Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post and The Star in Sheffield.

Tracey Johnson, Digital Media Centre, Barnsley
Tracey Johnson is a creative and digital business strategist, project director and founder with many years of experience in the digital, technology and creative industries. She leads the Digital Media Centre in Barnsley, a landmark hub for the creative and digital industries and home to over 50 businesses, as well as a range of programmes to support sector growth. Tracey is also part of the award-winning Enterprising Barnsley business growth team at Barnsley Council.

Liz Leek, Vice Principal – Curriculum and Culture and Senior Postholder, Barnsley College
Liz Leek is Vice Principal Curriculum and Culture and Senior Postholder of Barnsley College. One of her responsibilities is to ensure Barnsley College provide an opportunity for their students to acquire social and cultural capital. Liz has a background in creative and performing arts, getting a degree in Theatre and then working in the arts professionally before becoming a lecturer in FE and HE.