Meet Some of the Team

George Children MA PGCE MCIfA

Director: Quality and Compliance

George read Archaeology & Anthropology at Cambridge and subsequently gained a postgraduate qualification in Museum Studies at the University of Leicester. He gained substantial fieldwork experience at a supervisory level throughout the late 1980s and 1990s and has been employed by Border Archaeology since 2001, taking on the role of General Manager in 2003 and gaining further fieldwork experience in a managerial role. He has authored a number of books on regional archaeology and collaborated on several edited volumes in the BAR International Series, in addition to articles in specialist journals.

He has overall technical responsibility for fieldwork. His role involves Liaison with curatorial staff, as well as the compilation of all project documentation, including Written Schemes of Investigation. As Editor-in-Chief, George has overall responsibility for the production of all of the Company’s technical reports, as well as publishing results in accessible formats, such as articles, brochures, and leaflets, for wider dissemination. George also has direct responsibility for maintaining the Company’s ISO Quality Management certification.

Stephen Priestley MA MCIfA

Director: Research

Stephen studied history at Cambridge before working as a Research Assistant for Historic Royal Palaces at the Tower of London.  He was subsequently employed as a Researcher for English Heritage on the Windsor Castle Fire Evaluation Project for three years and also worked as a Research Consultant for Cadw and British Waterways between 2000 and 2003.

Since 2003, he has worked as Research Director for Border Archaeology, researching and writing desk-based assessments, multi-stage assessments, battlefield surveys (for Cadw), research projects on Grade I Listed buildings (for Historic England) and historic landscape assessments (for CCW).  He also compiles reports on archaeological excavations, evaluations and watching briefs and undertakes fieldwork including historic building recording surveys, walkover surveys and watching briefs.

Stephen’s research interests include the archaeology of historic buildings and landscapes, military fortifications, industrial heritage and the interpretation of archaeological sites using historical documents and maps. f

Ross Shurety MA

Director: Site Management

Prior to studying Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at Cambridge, Ross worked with Border Archaeology  as an Assistant on a number of multi-period sites throughout  England and Wales. He joined the Company on a full-time basis in 2007 and progressed from Site & Research Assistant to a supervisory role, assuming an increasing level of responsibility for a diversity of projects.

In his role as Director: Site Management, Ross has played a key role in the investigation and recording of complex urban sites, infrastructure projects and large-scale development sites throughout England and Wales. Additionally, Ross undertakes desk-based surveys and archaeological assessments, as well as contributing to projects on behalf of the Welsh Government applying ASIDOHL2 criteria to historic landscapes. Ross also acts in conjunction with George Children as Senior Editor of company reports.

Dr Andrew Tizzard BA Dip. Arch. PhD MCIfA

Director: Operational Support

 Andy studied Archaeology & Geography at Canterbury Christ Church University and subsequently gained his PhD through University College London. He has over forty years’ experience in archaeological related disciplines, including the Home Office Forensic Science Service, English Heritage and Institute for Geological Sciences Department for Geophysical Survey (North Sea survey). Andy also possesses extensive knowledge of urban and estuarine archaeological environments, having been employed by the Museum of London as a field archaeologist in the 1970s and 1980s.

Since joining Border Archaeology, Andy has managed a number of the Company’s major projects and is responsible for providing advice and technical support, including pre-excavation assessment, geophysicial survey and physical excavation.   

Amy Bunce BSc (Hons) MA

Director: Palaeoenvironmental Science

Amy has more than 15 years’ experience working in the archaeological sector, the last 8 of which have included the coordination and assessment of palaeoenvironmental evidence. She has worked throughout the UK and Ireland and has authored numerous archaeological reports since 2007.

Her archaeological research interests include seasonal wetlands and waterlogged deposits, and this is supported by her Master’s degree in Wetland Archaeology and Environments from the University of Exeter. Amy has presented papers at numerous conferences in the United Kingdom and Europe over the last 8 years and many of her non-grey literature publications are now coming to press.

Janice McLeish MA (Hons)

Senior Manager MK Post-Excavation Facility

Janice studied Archaeology at Glasgow University, graduating in 2005. Since graduation, Janice has worked for several commercial archaeological units and has been involved in various large-scale excavations throughout England, including a wide variety of site types dating from the prehistoric through to the post-medieval period. Janice has also completed a zooarchaeology course at the University of Sheffield, assisting her in the compilation of faunal assessment reports.

Janice joined Border Archaeology in 2014. Her role involves managing work flows within the palaeoenvironmental and finds sections of the department in order to meet targets, liaising with specialists and tabulating concordance data. Janice has also been involved in outreach projects within Milton Keynes and continues to be involved with the Company’s community projects. Her main interests are material culture and animal husbandry and the role these played within human cultures. Janice is a member of the Lithics Studies Group.

Lyndsey Clark BSc

Senior Site Manager

Lyndsey studied Archaeology at Bournemouth University, completing a dissertation investigating health statuses in past populations through the examination of stress markers on human remains. From 2006 to 2012, Lyndsey worked on a wide variety of projects in Ireland, ranging from small-scale impact assessments to some of the largest road schemes ever carried out in the country. She was also involved in many post-excavation projects and contributed to monograph publications on various schemes.

Lyndsey has worked for Border Archaeology since 2013 and as a Senior Site Manager based in Milton Keynes, she oversees the excavation and recording of fieldwork and is currently involved with the post-excavation report writing for completed field projects. Lyndsey’s research interests include the method and techniques of archaeological practice and human osteology, specifically health and disease in past populations.

Dr Rebecca Roseff BA (Hons) PhD

Special Projects Manager

Rebecca studied Environmental Archaeology at the University of Wales, Lampeter, followed by a PhD in Environmental Archaeology at the University of Birmingham. She subsequently gained professional qualifications in ISAD Standards in Managing Archives and a Diploma in Relational Databases and Object Oriented Computing. Following her academic studies, Rebecca worked as an Environmental Archaeologist for the Birmingham University Field Archaeology Unit.

Rebecca then worked as the Sites and Monuments Record Officer for Cheshire, before taking up the same role for Herefordshire Council. She subsequently worked as an archivist at Magdalen College School, Oxford, and the Cider Museum, Hereford. Rebecca has also worked overseas on the Oman Research Project. She has authored specialist volumes and presented papers at national and international conferences. Rebecca joined Border Archaeology  in 2016 as a Special Projects Manager. Her role involves working on the Company’s larger projects, overseeing report-writing and archaeological analysis. Her research specialisms include environmental archaeology, medieval landscapes and post-medieval ceramics.

Dr Catherine Sinnott MA PhD

Osteoarchaeologist

Catherine studied Archaeology and History at University College Cork and then completed a Master’s in Human Osteoarchaeology. This was followed by doctoral studies at Cranfield University, looking at the bioarchaeological manifestation of scurvy in the remains of Georgian sailors.

Since submitting her doctoral thesis in 2013, Catherine has worked for Border Archaeology  as an osteoarchaeologist and was also promoted to field supervisor in 2015. She divides her time between fieldwork and osteoarchaeological projects. Catherine’s research interests include post-medieval cemeteries, the paleopathological manifestation of metabolic diseases in the human skeleton and aging techniques especially in sub-adult individuals. Her specialism also covers cremated human remains and she is currently working on Roman period cremations.

Dr Owain Connors MA PhD

Lead Research Archaeologist

Owain studied Ancient History and Archaeology at the University of Exeter, followed by postgraduate research incorporating the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to analyse patterns of Anglo-Norman lordship in post-Conquest Monmouthshire/Gwent.

Since completing his doctoral thesis in 2014, Owain has worked for Border Archaeology  as a Research Archaeologist based in Leominster. He researches and compiles Desk-Based Assessments and provides research assistance and landscape analysis, in addition to digital illustration support for larger projects.

Owain’s research interests include landscape archaeology, medieval archaeology (particularly that of Wales and the Marches), the impact of human society upon the historic landscape and the application of GIS programmes in the recording, visualisation and analysis of archaeological data. He has presented papers and posters at national and international research conferences.

Claire McGlenn BA (Hons) PgDip

Manager: Special Projects

Claire studied Archaeology at the University of Wales, Lampeter, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Cultural Heritage Management.

Claire has over 10 years’ experience in professional archaeology in Britain and France and has worked on a wide variety of projects, including large-scale infrastructure sites, urban projects, large-scale multiphase rural sites, cemetery clearances, evaluations and watching briefs. She joined Border Archaeology  in 2013 as a Site Supervisor, based in Bristol, where she directed and reported on a wide variety of evaluations and watching briefs. Claire now works as a Manager within the PEX department, assisting in multi-audit projects.

Katherine Crooks BA PGCE

Senior Site Manager

Katherine studied History at the University of York, specialising in Medieval Urban History. Since the 1980s, she has gained extensive archaeological experience on sites throughout the UK. Since 2013, she has worked at Border Archaeology as a Senior Site Manager based at our Leominster office and manages archaeological sites throughout the West Midlands, the South West and Wales.

Katherine has also worked on medieval and post-medieval pottery since the late 1980s, mainly from the West Midlands, but also from Somerset, East Yorkshire and Derbyshire. She is a Member of the Medieval Pottery Research Group and has produced numerous grey literature assessment reports examining Roman, medieval and post-medieval pottery assemblages recovered from archaeological investigations. Katherine has also written a number of pottery reports for publication.

Emma Hardy MA

Post Excavation Manager

Emma studied Archaeology at Reading University, followed by a Master’s degree at the University of Leicester in Landscape Archaeology, which included the maintenance of post-excavation databases and the processing of finds from field work projects undertaken by the Department.

After working with archives and data management in the public sector for several years, Emma joined Border Archaeology  in September 2013. She manages the Post-Excavation Department based in Leominster and her role includes preparing paperwork and finds for archive deposition. Emma is particularly interested in European Prehistory and the Post-Roman period and has co-authored articles published in Prehistory and Archaeologia.

Kate Smith MA

Manager: Post-Excavation Delivery Support

Kate has a Degree in Librarianship and Information Studies, a Post-Graduate Qualification in Book and Archive Conservation and a Master’s in Records and Archive Management. Her career started as a Library Assistant at Lambeth Palace Library in 1990, followed by 11 years as a Document Conservator at The National Archives. Whilst working at The National Archives, she helped manage the transfer of records from the original Public Records Office building on Chancery Lane to the National Archives building at Kew. In 1998, she became a manager within the Conservation Department. Kate also gave talks to visitors and local groups about archive preservation and conservation.

After a career break to start a family, Kate began part-time work for the CLD Youth Counselling Trust and became involved in oral history projects at the Hereford Cider Museum. She joined Border Archaeology  in 2015 and works within the Leominster Post-Excavation Department, utilising her archiving experience to provide Post-Excavation Delivery Support.

Catherine Connors MA

Post-Excavation Manager

Catherine studied Archaeology at the University of Exeter, followed by a Master’s by Research in the same subject. Her MA dissertation looked into the effects of the religious patronage of Anglo-Welsh Marcher lords in Herefordshire and Shropshire, combining social and political impacts with influences on religious (particularly monastic) landscapes, and how these compared to the high status secular landscapes of the time.  

In 2013 Catherine started work at Border Archaeology’s Leominster office, initially as a Post-excavation and Research Assistant. In 2014 she was subsequently promoted to Post-Excavation Manager for Leominster. Her role entails processing finds recovered from site, and preparing and compiling material and documentary archives for deposition at museums.

Robin Putland MSc

Palaeoenvironmental Sciences Supervisor

Robin completed a Master’s degree in Environmental and Palaeoeconomic Archaeology at the University of Sheffield before embarking on a career in professional archaeology. He has also completed diplomas in professional archaeology and the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems). He joined Border Archaeology in 2014 and currently works as a Palaeoenvironmental Sciences Supervisor, managing the day-to-day operation of the Company’s Palaeoenvironmental flotation department at Milton Keynes, a facility that averages the processing of 5,000 litres of soil per month. His personal research interests include the analysis of palaeoenvironmental remains relating to both fish and mollusca.

Holly Litherland BA (Hons)

Manager: Archaeological Illustrations and Digital Processing

Holly studied for a degree in Illustration at Hereford College of Arts following a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at the same institution. Following her degree, she undertook further training in the use of Adobe design applications before joining Border Archaeology in 2015. Her role involves creating digitised illustrations, both of site drawings and artefacts, and producing detailed plans and maps of our sites.

Holly specialises in producing highly detailed drawings of archaeological artefacts to enhance significant features and characteristics, which may not be visible on a photograph.  

David Starley HND BSc PhD

Archaeometallurgy Specialist

David Starley is a qualified metallurgist, graduate archaeological scientist and postgraduate researcher in medieval iron and steel production. He has specialised in ferrous archaeometallurgy for the past 30 years. Having previously been employed by the former English Heritage Ancient Monuments Lab and The Royal Armouries, he now works as a freelance archaeometallurgical specialist providing a service for Border Archaeology and other archaeological units, museums and other heritage organisations to complement the expertise within their own staff.

David provides a flexible approach and can be chosen to provide input at any stage of an archaeological project, depending on the historic importance of metalworking activity on the site, from initial planning to final republication.
 

Felicity Wild

Samian Ware Specialist

Felicity Wild is an independent specialist in samian ware. She graduated in Classics at Edinburgh and studied Classical Archaeology at Cambridge. She then worked as Research Assistant to Brian Hartley at Leeds University, where she learnt her samian ware, classifying and extending his collection of potters’ stamps, the start of a project now published, over 40 years later, as B.R. Hartley and B.M. Dickinson, Names on Terra Sigillata (2008-2012). Work as Assistant Curator at the Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow, specialising in the Roman collections, subsequently extended her experience of samian ware in Scotland and the North.

For the past 50 years she has produced samian reports for archaeological units and local groups throughout the country, particularly in Scotland, the North and West of England and the East Midlands. She was elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1987.

Rebecca Devaney BA Hons MA ACIfA

Lithics Analyst

Rebecca Devaney is a freelance lithics analyst working within the commercial archaeology sector. She undertakes the identification, recording, analysis and reporting of all types of worked lithics, specialising in British Mesolithic to Iron Age industries. Rebecca has an undergraduate degree in Archaeology from the University of Reading (BA Hons, 1st class, 2002) and a Masters in Artefact Studies from the Institute of Archaeology at UCL (MA, Distinction, 2005). She has been an Associate member (ACIfA) of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists since 2006 and is an active member of the Lithic Studies Society. Prior to going freelance, Rebecca worked in the post-excavation department of a large archaeology company and has designed and taught practical classes in lithics analysis to undergraduate students.

Rob Perrin

Iron Age and Roman Pottery Specialist

Rob’s involvement in Roman pottery started with an M.Litt degree at Newcastle University in the early 1970s. His dissertation subject matter was Roman pottery from York and this led to full-time employment as a Roman pottery researcher with the York Minster Archaeology Office and the York Archaeological Trust. He subsequently worked for the Nene Valley Research Committee in Peterborough on pottery from the Lower Nene Valley and then with English Heritage on Roman pottery from Stanwick, Northamptonshire, Godmanchester and Birdoswald. After a break from full-time pottery work, he became a freelance pottery consultant in 2008 and has since worked on assemblages of both Iron Age and Roman pottery from sites in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Dorset, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Suffolk, Sussex, Warwickshire, Yorkshire and Wales. He has been a member of the Study Group for Roman Pottery since 1974 and authored their Research Strategy and Updated Agenda for the Study of Roman Pottery in Britain (2011). He edited the Study Group’s Journal of Roman Pottery Studies for many years and also recently worked with the Archaeology Data Service to put the Journal’s bibliography online. He is a member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. More information can be found on his website (currently being updated) – www.robperrin.com.

Quita Mould BA (Hons) MA

Archaeological Metal and Leatherwork Speciaist

Quita Mould has a BA Hons degree in Archaeology and Geography from Southampton University and an MA in Archaeology from the Institute of Archaeology, London University. Having worked for the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England and English Heritage at the beginning of her career, she has been a freelance archaeological finds specialist since 1981 and a Director of Barbican Research Associates since 2000. She provides assessments, analyses and publication reports on both archaeological leather and metal finds of all periods.  She has reported on assemblages from all over the United Kingdom and further afield for archaeological units, museums and other national heritage organisations, contributed to numerous site reports and multi-author volumes, edited conference papers and has been one of the principal authors of Guidelines on the X-radiography of archaeological metalwork and Waterlogged Organic Artefacts: Guidelines on their recovery, analysis and conservation for English Heritage.