New trustees join Cotswold Archaeology as we say goodbye to Alan Chater

DATE WRITTEN: 03/09/2026
READING TIME: 2 minutes
AUTHORS: Neil Holbrook (Chief Executive)

Cotswold Archaeology bade farewell at our recent AGM to long-serving Trustee Alan Chater and welcomed three new arrivals to our Board.

Alan Chater has now retired from the Board after 15 years of excellent service to the Charity, including three years as Chair of the Finance Committee. Alan has been an influential Trustee who successfully combined a deep-seated belief in our charitable object and the delivery of public benefit with the financial and business aspects of the role

We now welcome three new Trustees who were appointed following an open advertisement process.

John Dillon has had a long and distinguished career in archaeology in London and southern Britain, and was Deputy Chief Executive with Cotswold Archaeology up to 2021. He is a Director of a Community Benefit Society which recently bought and opened his local village pub, which he is enjoying enormously!

A bald, fair-skinned man with glasses and a light blue and red striped button-down shirt stands against a plain, light-colored wall.

A woman with short, light brown hair smiles at the camera. She wears a black v-neck t-shirt and a statement necklace made of braided red and clear beads. A pair of glasses rests on top of her head.

Alison Sternberg is a strategic leader who works with colleagues, partners and communities to deliver long-term public impact. She has held previous senior roles at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Natural Environment Research Council and the Board of the British Geological Survey.

Keith Wilkinson is a Professor of Geoarchaeology at the University of Winchester with specialist expertise in this field as well as palaeolithic archaeology. Keith has worked within academia since 1997 and brings to the Board expertise in archaeological training, publications, and research grants.

A man with short gray hair smiles warmly at the camera, standing in front of a plain, light-colored wall. He is wearing a long-sleeved black and white gingham shirt with the collar buttoned. His hands are clasped behind his back.

Cotswold Archaeology Chair, Dr Laura Evis, said “On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Alan for the significant contribution he has made to Cotswold Archaeology during his 15 years of service as a Trustee. Alan’s dedication to our charitable purpose, combined with his financial expertise and sound judgement, has helped shape and strengthen the organisation.”

“As Alan steps down, we are delighted to welcome John, Alison and Keith to the Board. We look forward to working with them as we continue to advance public education in archaeology and promote greater appreciation and understanding of the past through our work.”