Trustees

Roger Hawes is a business consultant with a legal background having been a partner for 20 years at Burges Salmon LLP, a large commercial law firm, specialising in mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and advice to entrepreneurs generally.

He has served on the board of several companies and was Chair of Talking Money, a debt advice agency based in Bristol, for 5 years until 2016.

He lives in East Horrington with his wife and also volunteers on the Wells Community helpline.

Peter Stickland was appointed as trustee in 2010 to lead the implementation of the £4.1 million Development Project that transformed The Bishop’s Palace into a leading heritage site and visitor attraction in the region.

Peter had recently taken early retirement from a major multinational company, Corus Group, and this became one of his retirement projects. He is now vice chair of The Palace Trust and a director of its trading subsidiary.

Peter worked in international consulting for the mining and metals industry, specialising in business planning, then set up a new manufacturing business in different countries, as well as dealing with several difficult management problems.

Bishop Michael became the 80th Bishop of Bath & Wells in 2022, and he lives at the Palace with his wife and children.

Maureen Boylan is recently retired as University Secretary for the University of London, after a long career as a senior manager in higher education, specialising in whole-institution change, strategic planning and governance.

For Maureen, “Retirement” takes the form of continuing to manage projects for the University, ranging from developing a new Act of Parliament, commissioning commemorative public artwork, supporting the closure of a small College and preparing the ground for an oral history of the University.

Originally a historian, with degrees from the Universities of East Anglia and Birmingham, Maureen was awarded an MBE for services to higher education in 2015. She is still an interested local historian, walker and singer.

Paul Dickinson has recently retired following a career spanning 35 years in sales, marketing, commercial and operational leadership roles.

Focusing on consumer facing service businesses, his roles have included Sales & Marketing Director for both Virgin Atlantic and RAC as well as Chief Operating Officer Asia for Christie’s.

Throughout his adult life he has pursued his interest in ancient buildings, landscapes and gardens – interests which brought him to live in the city of Wells in 2016.

Michael Minta has been the Head of Bishoprics and Cathedrals for The Church Commissioners since February 2019.

Michael was previously at the Diocese of Chelmsford for six and a half years as Director of Development and Property. Michael joined the Trustees of The Palace in February 2021.

Having worked as an auditor for KPMG for almost 7 years, obtaining his Charted Accountancy qualification in 2015, Sam is now a local Funeral Director, the fourth generation of his family’s independent firm based in Glastonbury.

A local boy, Sam has a strong connection with Wells through his schooling (despite being at local ‘rivals’ Millfield), his work for The Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust, and through his wife Lydia, who attended Wells Cathedral School as a pupil. He is therefore delighted to be involved with The Bishop’s Palace, through the Finance Sub-Committee and being a Director of the trading entity, Palace Enterprises Limited.

Greg Beedle joined the Board in 2024, having previously served as Head of Finance & People at the Palace.

After qualifying as a chartered accountant, he was a manager at Coopers & Lybrand in London, before moving into industry. He held Finance Director positions in the rail engineering and aerospace & defence sectors.

In 2007 Greg moved to Somerset and started a successful wedding venue, while also operating the family farm, historic watermill, and gardens in Bruton. He retired from this business in 2022 and now lives in Montacute with his wife and family.

Natasha Hopkins’ career has included working for wonderful charities including English Heritage, the Royal Horticultural Society and St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice. Currently, she leads the Visitor Operations and Experiences at Stourhead for the National Trust, where she combines her passion for gardens, wellbeing, nature and heritage. Natasha holds degrees in Heritage Interpretation, History and Victorian Studies and has a deep love for the West Country, she is also a Trustee at Haynes Motor Museum.

Natasha’s family have lived in and around Wells for many generations. She is delighted to have joined the board in 2024.

Claire Revell is a seasoned HR professional with over 25 years of international experience in both strategic and operational roles across various industry sectors. As an Executive Director and Senior HR Business Partner, Claire has a proven track record of leading and implementing organization-wide HR projects and change initiatives that enhance performance, profitability, growth, and employee engagement. She has extensive expertise in executing comprehensive HR programs, acting as a trusted advisor, and influencing stakeholders at all organizational levels. Claire’s proactive, solution-focused approach and strong business acumen have earned her recognition for innovative HR strategies and best practices.