Tom Addyman
Trustee
Tom is an accredited archaeologist and conservationist who specialises in the recording and analysis of historic buildings. He has extensive experience, both in Britain and abroad. He was a principal contributor to the Scottish Parliament’s archaeological project report and has been consultant to a wide range of projects that concern the built and archaeological heritage including assessment and advisory work on world heritage sites. His association with Hall of Clestrain goes back a number of years and he currently leads the archaeological investigations there. He lives in Fife.
Andrew Appleby
President
Andrew Appleby is an Orkney institution, successful businessman and artist, known across the world as ‘The Harray Potter’, having established Fursbreck Pottery in 1975, inspired by his twin passions of archaeology and pottery. His artworks are of international repute. His passion for archaeology led to him co-founding The Orkney Archaeology Society, which he charied for some years. Being involved with the story of John Rae since childhood, Andrew was a founding member of The John Rae Society, following the demise of The Orkney Boat Museum, who were going to restore The Hall of Clestrain. Andrew was elected president at the Society’s first official meeting in 2013.
Fiona Gould
Trustee
Fiona had a career in teaching and supporting students with Special Education Needs (SEN), gifted children and asylum seekers led to Fiona’s appointment as Project Manager for West Sussex LEA, whereby she established an outreach support service for students with social communication difficulties. Since retiring and relocating to Orkney, Fiona has worked as a volunteer for Advocacy Orkney and for The John Rae Society as membership secretary, leading historical and archival researcher and has been developing the partnership with Stromness Museum.
Prof. Donna Heddle
Trustee
Prof. Donna Heddle (MA (Hons) PhD FHEA FSA Scot FRSA) is Director of the University of the Highlands and Islands Institute for Northern Studies, which is based in Kirkwall. She is also Head of Research Environment and Culture at UHI, and leads on the development of the University’s Arctic Strategy. Her research interests include Scottish cultural history, language and literature, and cultural tourism. She is currently a trustee of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and of Sir Sean Connery’s Scottish International Education Trust. She has previously sat on the board of Museums Galleries Scotland and Hi-Arts.
Neil Kermode, OBE
Trustee
Neil is a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of Civil Engineers. For over 22 years he has been Managing Director of the world leading wave and tidal energy test centre EMEC, situated in Orkney. He is Chair of the Orkney Renewable Energy Forum and Vice Chair of Orkney Heritage Society. He is passionate about ensuring society pivots from fossil fuels to sustainable fuels as soon as possible, and faces the challenges of climate change head on with determination and action.
John McGregor
Trustee
John is a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and founded a firm of chartered surveyors, dealing with commercial property and operating mainly in Scotland. In 2005 he set up St Wencelas Property Fund with Hunterreim operating in central Europe, which, at it’s peak, was worth over £150m. John has participated in two Arctic explorations, one to Greenland and the other to Spitsbergen, and is a past President of the Arctic Club. He founded the Arctic Club Fund with a fellow member to fund up to six expeditions every year for Arctic expeditions. John now lives in Northumberland.
One third of the trustees retire annually by rotation if there is a full complement of trustees (12) but are eligible for re-election. There is currently one vacant trustee position.
If you are interested in becoming a trustee, please email Secretary David Ashcroft.
Our patrons
Contact us
| Role | Contact |
|---|---|
| President: Andrew Appleby | president@johnraesociety.com |
| Chair: Simon Strachan | chair@johnraesociety.com |
| Secretary: David Ashcroft | secretary@johnraesociety.com |
| Treasurer | Post vacant |
| Membership Secretary | membership@johnraesociety.com |
| Role | Contact |
|---|---|
| Enquiries | info@johnraesociety.com |
| Webmaster | support@johnraesociety.com |
| Events | events@johnraesociety.com |