Former CEO at National Lottery Heritage Fund, Ros chairs Leeds Castle Foundation. OBE in 2016, CBE in 2020 for heritage services.
Support Us | About the Foundation
Why Support Leeds Castle
The cost of caring for a 900-year-old estate and castle requires a lot of funding and support and we need your help now more than ever before.
Covid-19 had a severe impact on heritage sites like Leeds Castle with visitor numbers – especially from overseas – still below pre-pandemic levels. With higher energy bills and inflation fuelled prices our ability to re-invest in maintaining this wonderful place is a growing challenge.
It means that the Leeds Castle Foundation needs to raise more income through fundraising than ever before to support the ongoing conservation and survival of the estate. We also need to protect our environment by switching to green energy and lowering our carbon footprint. That all comes at a cost.
As a registered charity you can also make your donation go further through Gift Aid helping us to maintain the castle and the nationally important historical landscape in which it sits. If you love this place as much as we do, your support could make all the difference.
Charity Registration
REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 268354
Our mission and objectives
Our mission is to care for Leeds Castle, her collections and estate for current and future generations to enjoy.
We want to ensure everyone enjoys an inclusive welcome. Positive steps already taken include installing adult changing facilities and introducing a mobility bus – with a lot more to come.
We will continue to be at the heart of our local community from supporting Leeds and Broomfield Cricket Club to providing volunteering opportunities. Our aim is that every school child in Kent will have the opportunity to visit regardless of background or financial circumstance. Your support will help us achieve this.
It is our role as custodians to preserve and nurture our castle, her collections and the estate. With 900 years of history to maintain this is a place requiring constant attention – from building restoration to the wildlife in our care. The pandemic put many essential projects on hold. We’re still working through a significant backlog of important repairs and will need to generate vital funds to carry out these and future works.
We want to grow our reputation as a leading heritage attraction for all the community, including securing financial sustainability and achieving our ultimate goal of net zero carbon emissions. We have already made progress.
We’re investing so people have more places to stay and more things to experience. We’re seeking significant external funding to support projects like this. A key priority is replacing the current heating system with an eco-friendly alternative. We’re also exploring the potential for solar power, as well as improving insulation where we can.
We want to provide an excellent, enjoyable and authentic experience; surprising and delighting every visitor. That includes how we tell our story – from marginalised voices that dared not speak in the 1930s to capturing tales of life at the castle during the second half of the 20th Century before they are lost forever.
Leeds Castle is home to mesmerising historical gardens and architectural landscapes filled with dazzling beauty. We want to create mindful spaces for relaxation and wellbeing, including a kitchen garden. This will also provide a new year-round experience for visitors to enjoy, as well as an educational tool for school visits.
Trustees
The Board of Trustees provide expert guidance on running the Foundation to ensure
the preservation of the castle and estate for future generations to enjoy.
Ros Kerslake CBE
Judith Armitt
Pro Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University, Judith chairs Leeds Castle Finance Committee. Experienced CEO and Trustee.
Adrian Tinniswood OBE FSA
Cultural History Professor, author, and Leeds Castle Foundation Trustee. Former Chair of Heritage Lottery Fund (South West).
Helen Deeble CBE
Cultural History Professor, author, and Leeds Castle Foundation Trustee. Former Chair of Heritage Lottery Fund (South West).
Sarah Roots
EVP at Warner Bros Studio Tours & Retail, Sarah leads Leeds Castle Enterprises Board. Expert in developing successful visitor attractions.
Sarah Masotti
Digital Transformation Lead at Google Cloud and Leeds Castle Foundation Trustee. Former Management Consultant at PWC.
Ruth Knight
Head of Sustainability at the Royal Household, Ruth is a Foundation Trustee. Former roles at English Heritage and Greater London Authority.
Anna Eavis
Chief Executive of Oxford Preservation Trust and Leeds Castle Foundation Trustee. Former Curatorial Director of English Heritage.
Julian Smith
Partner at Farrer and Co’s Charity and Community Team, Julian chairs Leeds Castle Finance Committee. Visiting lecturer and Trustee.
Tom Wright CBE
Chair of Imperial War Museum Development Trust, Tom chairs Leeds Castle Enterprises Board. Former CEO at Guide Dogs and Visit Britain.
Senior Leadership
Team
Helen Bonser-Wilton
Chief Executive
Working with the Board and Senior Leadership Team to set and deliver an ambitious strategic vision for Leeds Castle Foundation.
Sue Prichard
Head Curator
Leading the Heritage and Learning teams, caring for & interpreting the collections & stories of Leeds Castle, developing & delivering unique educational experiences.
Debbie Matthews
Head of Audience Development
Developing audience participation in the Foundation’s work, through outreach, visiting and volunteering, reaching out to those with barriers to accessing heritage.
Lucy Hutchings
Commercial Operations Director
Driving commercial results across day visiting, hospitality & accommodation, ensuring safe operation and an excellent customer experience.
Robin Richman
Finance Director
Leading on support services for the Foundation, encompassing Finance, IT and HR.
Nathan Johnstone
Interim Head of Estate Services
Caring for the heritage buildings, gardens, estate, wildlife, facilities, golf course, security, housekeeping & estate cleaning.
Mark Delin
Brand and Marketing Director
Developing and delivering marketing strategy & plans to promote the Foundation’s visitor attractions, hospitality, accommodation and charitable work to the public.
Annual Review & Financial Statements
Find out more about our past performance and future ambitions through our annual reviews and financial statements.
Our accounts for the past three years are available for download on the Charity Commission for England and Wales website.
Our Projects
Thank you for supporting our projects past and present.
As a charity, the ongoing support of our donors, visitors, hospitality and event guests makes a huge difference allowing us to undertake vital projects.
