Brading Roman Villa Trust has announced the appointment of eight new trustees, to boost the board's expertise.

The new trustees include recently retired lawyer and insurance specialist Stephen Bailey. An Island resident passionate about sailing the Solent, Bailey will use his vast fundraising experience to support the museum.

Dr Angela Buckley, historian, author, and active participant in the Isle of Wight Literary Festival is also part of the board, keen on providing engaging historical talks to the public.

Kate Collins, a dedicated volunteer at Brading Roman Villa, adds value with her experience working with multiple Island organisations, including the Isle of Wight Sports Foundation, the RYS Foundation and Mountbatten.

Bursar at Ryde School and former accountant, Martyn Davies, joins the ranks. Now retired, Davies spends his time volunteering and fostering young talent in sailing.

Jessica Garbett, a chartered accountant and yoga practice owner, will bring her past experiences as a governor of the IW College and other third-sector organisations to the fore.

Mountbatten Hospice Group CEO, Nigel Hartley, with 35 years of experience in the charity sector, promises to bring a wealth of knowledge to the trust.

Joining the team is Sarah-Jane Kitching, former GP and history enthusiast, who now works as a tour guide. Her experience with volunteers and education will add an extra layer to the board.

Finally, Dr Louise Revell, an archaeologist and Associate Professor of Roman Studies at the University of Southampton, completes the line-up.

Revell has a long-standing interest in Roman Britain, having co-edited The Oxford Handbook of Roman Britain and currently working on a new book on the topic.

Chair, Stewart White, said: "We are delighted to welcome these new trustees as they bring a wide range of skills and experience to complement and refresh those of our board and will play a key role in the continuing development of the villa."

He expressed the trust’s gratitude to four trustees, Colin Boswell, Phil Collyer, Tony Holmes, and Nicholas Oulton, who retired from the board, for their service over many years.

In addition, Pat Barber and David Low will retire at the AGM in November 2024.