Our team
A registered independent charity with passion and drive
Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust has been in existence since 2006 and is an independent charity and company limited by guarantee. The Trust was set up to preserve and promote the heritage and natural environment of Delapré Abbey and the former Bouverie estate.
We deliver a range of programmes and activities that support lifelong learning, curiosity and an improved wellbeing.
We promote the 900 years of the Abbey’s history, and the stories that have unfolded within and around the estate over this time. The Abbey sits within over 550 acres of park and woodland, which is positioned within an urban setting.
We, with our partners, support all ages to engage with programmes that promote learning and socialising, and bring people and communities together.
We are proud to be rooted in Northampton, and to be supporting our local community who we coexist with.
We want to promote the Park and the Abbey to the widest number of people possible, connecting an ever-increasing number of individuals and communities to both nature and heritage. Through which we can support with opportunities that improve physical and psychological wellbeing.
Our priorities
• Improving access to Heritage and Culture
• Connecting people with improved Wellbeing and Environment
• Developing a Progressive Enterprise
Trustees
The Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees who all give their time and expertise on a voluntary basis. The current Board consists of 12 people with varying backgrounds, skills and expertise.
Alisa Moore
Bio.
Jane Birch
Bio.
David Smart
Bio.
Floyd Graham
Bio.
Freddie Guilmard - Vice Chair
With over 15 years of experience as a managing director and a proven track record of delivering award-winning programmes, I help leaders deal with their big issues by building human organisations. I am the founder of The Red Thread Partnership, a consultancy that develops and enriches leaders, grows highly successful teams, and creates inclusive cultures for our clients.
As an organisational and culture change specialist, I was invited to the board to help develop Delapre Abbey as a beacon of hope for our community and beyond. I saw the potential in the project and was excited by the quality of my trustee colleagues on the board.
I played a pivotal role in building relationships with all our stakeholders and especially our landlords at the council. We have been a small but committed team of individual who are passionate about the success of our Abbey. The recruitment of our current CEO was another critical step in our journey and I am actively involved in building the right culture to develop a sustainable future for us all.
I am actively involved in the community and a trustee at a charity to promoting women in STEM roles at Women Leaders MK. I also run The Red Thread Fellowship, a non-for-profit organisation that offers a year-long leadership development programme that supports local communities. We develop compassionate leaders and more caring and inclusive communities through volunteering in the third sector. I am an avid tennis player, a new golfer, I love long walks and been part of a band as a guitar player for 15 years in the same band.
The development of the Stables project is critical to the future sustainability of the project. Our continued commitment to all our stakeholders and our community to listen what is important to them is essential and maintaining our café, is where we can build exciting connections and partnerships.
Fun fact: In 93 I was on the Christmas show of Generation Game with Bruce and my mother-in-law and I won the show.
Marcella Day
Bio.
Margaret Hawkins
I am a retired librarian with experience in local government, research and consultancy. Considerable expertise in planning; performance monitoring; researching, analysing and synthesising information and writing coherent documents. MA in English Local History from University of Leicester.
A visit on a heritage open day opened my eyes to Delapre’s importance and I wanted to help. I believe that heritage is important to our identity and we need to engage everyone in the community, regardless of background or length of residence. If you live here, it’s part of your heritage.
I am proud of my work in raising Delapré’s profile as a Cluniac site.
I am involved in several other historical groups: Northamptonshire Record Society, Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group and Duston Local History Society. I enjoy choral singing, gardening (in warm weather) and Nordic walking, though not very strenuously.
I would like to promote the idea of Delapré as a community. It has been one throughout its life, as a nunnery, a family home and as a working estate. I would like to help all visitors and residents to feel part of its modern community.
Fun fact: I’m trying to turn my garden into a wildlife haven.
Sabine Coady
Bio.
Sarah Hollis
I am a qualified planning lawyer of 10 years pqe currently working at Gowling WLG as a Principal Associate. Prior to Gowlings I worked at Howes Percival and before that Shakespeare Martineau. My planning background is helpful to some of the projects which are happening and which have happened at the Abbey, including the new Stable Project and I am able to support the board and offer additional knowledge and support.
I have lived in Northampton my whole life and have always had an affinity with the Abbey. When I was a child we used to visit as a family and have picnics on the lawn and walk round the grounds and the walled garden and it was a great adventure. When I worked at Northampton Borough Council (as it then was) I had the opportunity to look round the Abbey in its pre-restored state, this was an amazing experience and helps me see how far the Abbey has come from then. I now visit the Abbey to run and walk my dogs and I cut through it to access other parts of Northampton such as the Bike Park. I feel it is a great place that is on the doorstep of many Northamptonians and we should be working hard to retain and preserve it for their enjoyment into the future.
I am part of the Capital Working Group and we have been working on the new Stable Project, this has been great to help direct the future development of a disused part of the Abbey to try rejuvenate this and hopefully get the Abbey on course to becoming self funding.
Outside of my role as a trustee I am a keen triathlete and I represent my country in European and Age Group championships across Europe. I also have three dogs which I love to walk.
I hope to continue to play a part in the future development of the Abbey as a place to come visit, stay and play and find some headspace.
Fun Fact: When I was at University I once raced against Rebecca Adlington (Olympic Gold Medallist) in the 400m Freestyle at the British University Championships and I only finished 1 length behind her!
Steve Edmonds - Chair
I am a Chartered Accountant with broad financial experience in UK and internationally. I have held trustee roles in a wide variety of Northampton based charities for over 35 years.
As a Northamptonian it was a privilege to be invited to join Delapre Abbey board as a trustee in 2016, my motivation being to support the restoration of this wonderful community asset and open the Abbey to the public for the first time in 900 years. As chair it is an honour to lead a highly committed and multi-talented board as the Abbey’s future potential is realised.
I am proud of the work that I have done leading the board through the completion of the restoration and subsequent opening to the public in 2018, dealing with the transition and appointment of our current CEO, navigating the challenges of the pandemic and strengthening the skills base of the board.
My interests are mountain biking, walking, singing, golf, bread making and classic car fettling.
This is a very exciting time for the Abbey Project, we have a great team and the support of the public and our stakeholders is extraordinary. Our aim as a board of trustees is to nuture this unique community asset and to enable the Trust to realise its full potential whilst achieving financial sustainability and at the same time enriching the lives of all who visit.
Fun fact: Collect classic Fiat 500s.
Steve Adams
My professional career was in Banking holding Executive Board level roles within NatWest and Barclays. I specialised in payments and payment systems leading on many of the innovations we take for granted today such as electronic point of sale, chip and pin, and contactless.
Through my charity work and events management I have had a relationship with the Abbey and its volunteer groups for more than 10 years. The direction the Abbey has been taking over the past couple years in particular its commitment to wellbeing and developing the facilities to deliver a community hub I find inspirational. With my corporate, 3rd sector and events management background I felt well placed and enthusiastic in supporting and adding value to the Assbey’s core ambitions.
The introduction of the Bike Doctor has facilitated a wide range of activities in the areas of active travel and provided a platform for the establishment of the Abbey as a cycling and active travel hub. We (the Abbey) have become the “go to” centre for this activity including working with public health and by extensions schools. With the development of the linking cycling and walking paths we are now very centre of a wide range of initiatives.
I have been representing GB in age group triathlon at European and World level since 2011. In addition to my voluntary work with the Abbey I have recently founded a charity to oversee and develop Open Water Swimming at Sywell Country Park and am currently the Chair of Trilogy Active.
I am completely bought into the concept of the Abbey as a Community and Wellbeing hub including the development of the 19th Century Stables. I intend to support this through the development of events at the Abbey and practical services such as bike maintenance, coaching and training. At the Board level I can add structurally drawing on my experience gained in major corporate, small business and the charities I have founded.
Fun Fact: In 1968 as a 12 year old I won an invitation sailing race in small boats designed for up to 14, the race included all of the medallist from the Acapulco sailing regatta of the Mexico Olympics
Board of Trustees
The Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees who all give their time and expertise on a voluntary basis. The current Board consists of 13 people with varying backgrounds, skills and expertise.
Chair
Steve Adams
My professional career was in Banking holding Executive Board level roles within NatWest and Barclays. I specialised in payments and payment systems leading on many of the innovations we take for granted today such as electronic point of sale, chip and pin, and contactless.
Through my charity work and events management I have had a relationship with the Abbey and its volunteer groups for more than 10 years. The direction the Abbey has been taking over the past couple years in particular its commitment to wellbeing and developing the facilities to deliver a community hub I find inspirational. With my corporate, 3rd sector and events management background I felt well placed and enthusiastic in supporting and adding value to the Assbey’s core ambitions.
The introduction of the Bike Doctor has facilitated a wide range of activities in the areas of active travel and provided a platform for the establishment of the Abbey as a cycling and active travel hub. We (the Abbey) have become the “go to” centre for this activity including working with public health and by extensions schools. With the development of the linking cycling and walking paths we are now very centre of a wide range of initiatives.
I have been representing GB in age group triathlon at European and World level since 2011. In addition to my voluntary work with the Abbey I have recently founded a charity to oversee and develop Open Water Swimming at Sywell Country Park and am currently the Chair of Trilogy Active.
I am completely bought into the concept of the Abbey as a Community and Wellbeing hub including the development of the 19th Century Stables. I intend to support this through the development of events at the Abbey and practical services such as bike maintenance, coaching and training. At the Board level I can add structurally drawing on my experience gained in major corporate, small business and the charities I have founded.
Fun Fact: In 1968 as a 12 year old I won an invitation sailing race in small boats designed for up to 14, the race included all of the medallist from the Acapulco sailing regatta of the Mexico Olympics
Trustee
Dr David Smart
I have over 39 years of the NHS experience, having been trained as a General Practitioner where I worked at Leicester Terrace Healthcare Centre in Semilong. The team achieved an outstanding CQC in an urban practice within an area of significant deprivation, a focus on people and quality matters to me.
I have always had an interest in mental health and in 2021 I was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the Royal College of General Practitioners for this work. I have been involved in mental health commissioning, training and education and more recently focus around prevention. Lifestyle medicine has an increasing focus for me.
I was welcomed to the board with a focus to support the wellbeing agenda. With a particular focus on promoting positive mental health through my chairing of the Action for Happiness Northamptonshire Hub. Action for Happiness builds on Personal actions and encourages these to be spread into the community around us so both affecting Personal and community well-being. Over the last decade I have very much enjoyed and found benefit in this asset-based approach, moving away from the illness focus of what’s wrong with us to increased focus on gratitude for what we have and building on our assets. This has been timely as following the Covid Pandemic in the UK there has been greater focus on mental health and well-being especially for youth, men and the workplace.
I currently co-chair the Prevention Pillar of the Mental Health Learning Disability Autism Collaborative that is part of commissioning mental health services locally in Northamptonshire. I’m also a visiting professor for mental health and well-being at the University of Northampton and have been involved in research and evaluation especially around the use of Alpha-Stim Aid cranial electrical stimulation device for supporting people with anxiety. This is partnership with an education company I set up called WORTH (Northampton) Ltd.
I have a personal history of mood disorder and strong family history with other members of my family affected. So decreasing stigma increasing peoples access to evidence-based treatments matters especially for youth as this is where there is the most benefit for lifelong health.
It is a real privilege to be part of the trustee board and I look forward to the Stable development building a well-being hub and increasing Delapre as a local and national centre for promoting positive mental health. Action for Happiness Northamptonshire Hub has its virtual home at Delapre and we have a growing partnership as we try to
promote a social movement using Ten Keys to Happier Living www.actionforhappiness.org (GREAT DREAM) across Northamptonshire.
My aim is to create a Happier Kinder Northamptonshire Together.
Fun Fact: I am a MAMIL – middle aged man in lycra as a keen cyclist, passionate about exercise and hoping to get movement and exercise as part of health care.
Trustee
Floyd Graham
Floyd Graham began his legal career as an academic lawyer in 1990 lecturing on among other topics, the English Legal System, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Company Law and Banking Law. Floyd then embarked on a career as a practising solicitor in a number of national law firms in the United Kingdom before founding FG Solicitors, an award-winning law firm in 2007.
He principally acts for mid to large national and international corporates as legal counsel and representative advising on commercial law, corporate transactions, data protection and employment. Floyd is a regular contributor to commentary on the trends in judicial thinking and legal developments in the United Kingdom. He is a highly regarded and popular speaker at legal seminars.
Trustee
Dr Marcella Day
Senior Lecturer in Tourism, Faculty of Business & Law, University of Northampton
I’m an experienced academic with an industry background as a tourism marketing practitioner at a Destination Marketing Organisation. An active researcher with research interests on place branding and marketing, risk and crisis management in tourism, Participatory Action Research (PAR), Public Engagement, Race Equality in Higher Education as well as Place and race health inequalities. I’m a strong education professional with a Doctor of Philosophy from University of Surrey. As a Scholar Activist, I’m currently Co-Chair of the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) which is the race staff equality network at UoN.
Marcella’s specialist teaching areas include:
21st Century Tourism Visitor Attractions Management Risk,
Crisis and Post-Conflict Management in Tourism
Marcella’s main research interests include:
Tourism Destination Image & Regional Place Branding
Risk, Crisis and Post-conflict Management & Communication in Tourism
Tourism representation – postcolonial critique and critical marketing
Textual methodologies – Content and Discourse analyses & Tourism in developing nations – Agro tourism
Gender and Tourism
Participatory Action Research
Community tourism and Poverty Alleviation
Trustee
Margaret Hawkins
I am a retired librarian with experience in local government, research and consultancy. Considerable expertise in planning; performance monitoring; researching, analysing and synthesising information and writing coherent documents. MA in English Local History from University of Leicester.
A visit on a heritage open day opened my eyes to Delapre’s importance and I wanted to help. I believe that heritage is important to our identity and we need to engage everyone in the community, regardless of background or length of residence. If you live here, it’s part of your heritage.
I am proud of my work in raising Delapré’s profile as a Cluniac site.
I am involved in several other historical groups: Northamptonshire Record Society, Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group and Duston Local History Society. I enjoy choral singing, gardening (in warm weather) and Nordic walking, though not very strenuously.
I would like to promote the idea of Delapré as a community. It has been one throughout its life, as a nunnery, a family home and as a working estate. I would like to help all visitors and residents to feel part of its modern community.
Fun fact: I’m trying to turn my garden into a wildlife haven.
Trustee
Sabine Coady Schaebitz
I am an experienced Built Environment Professional, Academic and Educator, currently leading the Built Environment Department at Coventry University. Qualified as an architect at the Bauhaus-University in Weimar and with additional studies in art history and architectural conservation at the Martin-Luther-University in Halle and ICCROM in Rome, I have a longstanding passion for historic places, their preservation and adaptation. I took part in archaeological excavations in Egypt, Israel and Italy. I have been part of various leading initiatives for the protection and revitalisation of historic buildings and sites. In Northampton that also includes being committee member of the Friends of the 78 Derngate, the Mackintosh House. I bring my wider expertise in heritage and the role it plays for the identity and wellbeing of communities also to my longstanding membership of the international Association for Theory and Higher Education of Architectural Conservation – AKTLD.
Northampton has been my home for several decades – the place I have lived longest since leaving my hometown in Germany. I have a great desire to make Northampton a better place to live in. When my children were growing up here, Delapré, its walled garden, its community café and its parklands were a great destination for us as a family and to bring visitors to. When I had the opportunity to become a trustee in 2015, I felt honoured to be able to contribute to shaping the future of Delapré further as a place of outstanding quality for the community.
Chairing the Project and Capital Working Group gives me the opportunity to bring my professional expertise to the next exciting and crucial phases of Delapré Abbey. I am pleased to have been able to bring my professional design and heritage expertise to the previous building phase and re-opening of the Abbey. I am particularly excited to now shape the next phase of a wellbeing hub in the former stable yard as well as starting to imagine further developments for the gardens and parklands. All this chimes also with my personal interests in gardening, walking, cycling, drawing and painting.
I have been swimming in lakes since my childhood and I absolutely love it – hopefully one day the lake at Delapré will be a proper swimming lake!
Trustee
Sarah Hollis
I am a qualified planning lawyer of 10 years pqe currently working at Gowling WLG as a Principal Associate. Prior to Gowlings I worked at Howes Percival and before that Shakespeare Martineau. My planning background is helpful to some of the projects which are happening and which have happened at the Abbey, including the new Stable Project and I am able to support the board and offer additional knowledge and support.
I have lived in Northampton my whole life and have always had an affinity with the Abbey. When I was a child we used to visit as a family and have picnics on the lawn and walk round the grounds and the walled garden and it was a great adventure. When I worked at Northampton Borough Council (as it then was) I had the opportunity to look round the Abbey in its pre-restored state, this was an amazing experience and helps me see how far the Abbey has come from then. I now visit the Abbey to run and walk my dogs and I cut through it to access other parts of Northampton such as the Bike Park. I feel it is a great place that is on the doorstep of many Northamptonians and we should be working hard to retain and preserve it for their enjoyment into the future.
I am part of the Capital Working Group and we have been working on the new Stable Project, this has been great to help direct the future development of a disused part of the Abbey to try rejuvenate this and hopefully get the Abbey on course to becoming self funding.
Outside of my role as a trustee I am a keen triathlete and I represent my country in European and Age Group championships across Europe. I also have three dogs which I love to walk.
I hope to continue to play a part in the future development of the Abbey as a place to come visit, stay and play and find some headspace.
Fun Fact: When I was at University I once raced against Rebecca Adlington (Olympic Gold Medallist) in the 400m Freestyle at the British University Championships and I only finished 1 length behind her!
Trustee
Paul Whiting
I’m a marketing and communications professional with experience championing tourism, heritage and cultural organisations across the UK.
Growing up in Kingsthorpe, I have deep roots in Northampton and have always kept close ties to the town, even after moving to York at 18 to study History and start my career. During my time in the city, I had the privilege of leading marketing and audience development for the world-famous JORVIK Viking Centre, including its major relaunch in 2017. I went on to head the city’s tourism body, Visit York, run my own consultancy practice, and teach as a part-time lecturer in Marketing and Tourism at York St John University.
After nearly two decades away, I’ve returned to Northamptonshire and am keen to support the town and wider county’s cultural, heritage and tourism offer. This is what drew me to become a trustee, and I’m excited to support the brilliant work the team at Delapré Abbey are delivering by sharing my expertise in creating impactful communications campaigns that grow audiences and connect people with places.
Away from work, I’m an avid reader of history and politics, and most weekends you’ll find me exploring a museum, stately home or visitor attraction.
“I’ve been impressed with what the team at Delapré Abbey have achieved so far, and how they actively engage communities across Northampton, the county and beyond. When I was growing up here, we didn’t have places like this, where people could come together and celebrate all the town has to offer: its history, its environment, its communities. When the opportunity came up to become a Trustee and play a part in that success, I jumped at the chance.”
Trustee
Michelle Myers
Michelle is an experienced counsellor and charity leader with a strong background in governance, fundraising, and community wellbeing. She has served as a Trustee of Cynthia Spencer Hospice Charity since 2016, contributing to strategic decision-making, financial oversight, and sustainable, patient-centred services.
Alongside her professional expertise, Michelle has a lifelong passion for history and heritage, believing that caring for the past enriches both personal wellbeing and
community identity. With over a decade of experience in the voluntary sector, including senior roles at the British Red Cross, she combines empathy and leadership with a commitment to helping organisations thrive.
Michelle is dedicated to ensuring that heritage and wellbeing go hand in hand — creating meaningful connections, fostering resilience, and preserving stories and places for future generations.
Trustee
James Cairncross
James Cairncross is one of the Trust’s new appointees, beginning his role as a Trustee this summer. He states that, as a West Hunsbury resident, Delapré has long been one of his family’s favourite places to visit and explore. With the restoration and animation of the house and estate buildings being a real triumph, the surrounding parkland holds similar potential.
After reaching out to Richard regarding future Trustee opportunities regarding park management, he was thrilled to learn that a new round of recruitment was just around the corner!
As Head of Landscape Architecture at The Parks Trust in Milton Keynes, James is always thinking about how parks and open spaces can evolve to stay relevant and continue to deliver value to both communities and the environment. He states that Delapré’s gardens and parkland feel full of untapped potential, and is excited by the possibilities they hold!
“My family has enjoyed countless visits to Delapré over the years, and one thing we always notice is the incredible warmth, knowledge, and enthusiasm of the volunteers. They are a true asset to the site, and it’s clear how vital it is to value and support such dedication.
A few weeks ago, I brought my team along for a learning visit, and we were all struck by the energy and activity across the estate. The work underway in the walled garden was particularly impressive; it showcased the passion and care that goes into maintaining and enhancing this special place. We returned to Milton Keynes feeling inspired and full of ideas.”
Trustee
Tracy Whittaker-Smith MBE
I bring experience across strategic project development, leadership, and innovation, having served as a Managing Director of a large Northants community club, a Performance Director in elite sport and now working as a consultant with public and third sector organisations. Having grown up and built much of my life and career in Northampton, Delapré Abbey has been part of the landscape I’ve known and admired. Its evolution into a place that supports wellbeing, connection, and community feels deeply aligned with my own values and life journey.
With a strong track record in planning and delivering high-performance programmes, I can offer insight into strategic growth, partnership working, and income generation through diverse models. I am also keen to support the Trust’s ambitions to engage new audiences and contribute to sustainable impact through enterprise, culture, and nature-based wellbeing initiatives.
Staff team
Chief Executive Office
Richard Clinton
Chief Executive
Amanda Nicols-Polinska
Deputy Chief Executive
Catering Team
Bart Polinski
Executive Head Chef
Claire Warren
Restaurant Manager
Cara West
Deputy Restaurant Manager
Marketing, Commercial and Operations
Ella Johnson
Events Manager
Alexandra Bridge
Events Coordinator
Leanne Berry
House and Interpretation Manager
Maya Bellingham
Marketing Executive
For capital projects, email amanda.nicols-polinska@delapreabbey.org
For venue hire enquiries, email events@delapreabbey.org
For press enquiries, email marketing@delapreabbey.org
To feature your products in our shop, email info@delapreabbey.org
For all other enquiries, contact info@delaprebbey.org
Engagement and Interpretation
Mary Hopper
Learning Officer
Yasmin Keenan
Wellbeing Manager
Elizabeth Socci
Collections Assistant
For all volunteering enquiries, email volunteering@delapreabbey.org
For all education enquiries, email info@delapreabbey.org
Volunteers
Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust is supported by a team of 120+ volunteers who are at the heart of everything we do.
If you are interested in volunteering with us, click the link below to find out more.
Tenants
Delapré Abbey is also home to a number of businesses and organisations:
- Bike Doctor
- Far Cotton Community Council
- Albion
- Toru
- Pilkington Communications
- J-Walk
- Chroma Conservations
- Shoosmiths Gallery
- Northamptonshire Sport
- VR Therapies
