Jean was born and educated in Cheshire but came to Essex on her marriage in 1963. Since moving to Braintree in 1969, she has been involved in local life through her church and school connections.

After many years teaching at St Michael’s School, Braintree, Jean became headteacher at West Hanningfield School until her retirement, at which point she began a strong relationship with the Museum. She became a role play teacher in the Victorian classroom and has trained others for this and other school programmes.

Since 2004, Jean has been Chairman of the Friends of the Museum and also arranges their outings and tours both at home and abroad. She is a volunteer at the Warner Textile Archive and the Museum, and has been representing the Friends and volunteers on the Board of Trustees as an observer for the past two years. Jean also volunteers at the Chelmsford Diocesan Bookshop and as a member of the Patient Forum at her local GP surgery.

Demetra has lived in the Braintree district since 2004 when she moved to Castle Hedingham with her husband Jason. They have been running Hedingham Castle as a historic property open to the public and a wedding venue ever since. They have brought up their young family there.

She is an architect, and worked for a firm with a very modern style. She designed the Westminster Academy and elements of the Barbican Centre refurbishment. She has since renovated the Norman Hedingham Castle with Historic England and now does small projects locally. Some rooms in the house at Hedingham Castle were also done up by Warner Fabrics and used as a showcase for their 2007 Collection, and Demetra made some of the curtains and furnishings herself as she has always enjoyed sewing, dressmaking and fabric design.

She is also on the board of Visit Essex and an active member of the Historic Houses Association. She is passionate about our local heritage and education.

Sarah is a museum and heritage professional who has worked in the sector for 17 years. She currently works for Heritage Collections at the Houses of Parliament. She was previously Collections Manager at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Canterbury Cathedral, as part of the ‘Canterbury Journey’ NHLF project and before that was the Curator at Bishop’s Stortford Museum in Hertfordshire.

Sarah has experience across subject disciplines, from interpretation, curation, collections management, to learning and participation, research and engagement, with knowledge of the latest standards of collections management in museums and archives. She has achieved museum accreditation and led on policy for archive accreditation.

Throughout her career, Sarah has worked to raise public awareness and to promote strategic development, research, and interpretation of collections, regularly collaborating with conservators, heritage professionals, academic specialists, and educators, as well as with those outside the sector, including external consultants and contractors, to create accessible heritage and an engaging and exciting visitor experience.

Born at William Julien Courtauld hospital in Braintree and schooled at St Michael’s Primary School and Notley High School, David returned to the District several years ago, after having lived and worked in London and overseas. He is a practising corporate lawyer with over 30 years’ experience and was, until recently, Chairman of Birkett Long LLP, one of the largest solicitors practices in Essex, where he is still a partner. In addition to his legal work, David is a trustee of two other charities based in the Chelmsford area.

David well remembers the industrial past of Braintree, with family and neighbours working at Lake & Elliot, Courtaulds, or Crittalls, and believes it is important for the District to commemorate its past. He is therefore looking forward to contributing to the recognition, preservation, and promotion of the District’s unique heritage and collections.

Interior designer Erik Karlsen first made his name in design as the founder of Jane Churchill Ltd, the fabric and wallpaper brand, which is now a part of Colefax and Fowler.

Originally from South Africa, Erik moved to the UK aged 20 to attend Hornsey Art School. In 1989 he started Jane Churchill, a fabric and wallpaper company in collaboration with two friends: fabric designer Robert Adamson and interior decorator Jane Churchill. As the market at the time seemed to be overtly couture in nature, Erik decided to name the company Jane Churchill Ltd in order to position the company, alongside Laura Ashley, as accessible to all and have a wider market appeal. Over the next few years he, and his team, opened a string of shops in London, Bath, Cambridge, St Albans and Nottingham, as well as selling through outlets throughout the world. In 1999 the company was sold to Colefax and Fowler. Following the sale of Jane Churchill Ltd, Erik focussed on interior design, undertaking design projects in the UK, France, Germany, Austria, Corfu, Monaco and the USA. Recent fabric design commissions and collections include Obeetee Ltd in India 2016-2018.

When he is not travelling Erik divides his time between London and North Essex.

John has lived in Braintree since 1976, having moved to the town after service in the Royal Air Force. He now works in the computer software industry as EMEA Sales Director of the world’s largest privately owned software company.

As a Ward Councillor for Braintree West, John has served Braintree District Council since 2006, and is currently Cabinet Member for Asset Management and Governance.

John is passionate about the economic and cultural future of the District. He is committed to maintaining Braintree as an attractive place to live, and feels strongly about the preservation of its heritage.

Tom worked as a corporate financier with a number of City firms for 30 years, advising growing businesses across a broad range of sectors, industries and geographies. He is also treasurer and arts adviser to Cockayne – Grants for the Arts, a foundation which funds performance and creative arts and a non-executive director of Glantus Holdings plc.

Tom has a degree in economics and history of art. His interests include twentieth century British painting and sculpture, architecture, gardens and food. Over the last 15 years he has been restoring a Tudor house and garden in North Essex.