PROFESSIONAL ARCHAEOLOGISTS AND HERITAGE EXPERTS SINCE 1980

Stuart Palmer PGDip (Oxon) MCIfA FSA

CHIEF ARCHAEOLOGIST

Stuart has led the team since 2010 and overseen its development from museum service to a fully-fledged customer-focussed business. Since starting his career in 1982, Stuart has worked on or managed every conceivable kind of project, developed unique and cost-saving strategies, and is widely consulted for no-nonsense advice. He has served on the Chartered Institute for Archaeology's Registered Organisation Committee and is currently a member of the Advisory Council. He has previously served as a Director of the Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers. Stuart is honoured to serve as a Trustee of the Rollright Stones and to have been elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. He recieved a High Sheriff's Award in 2023 for services to the archaeology of Warwickshire. In his free time he can usually be found with his family on a beach, paddle board surfing (and snoozing apparently).

Caroline Rann BA (EU) MCIfA SMSTS

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Caroline began her hourney with us as a volunteer digger and Historic Environment Record (HER) assistant, before completing her degree at the University of Leicester and Universitat de València. She returned in 2005 to refine her excavation skills and later gained valuable experience working with County Planning Archaeologists. This planning archaeology background has proven especially beneficial in supporting clients through complex development processes, offering informed guidance and strategic insight. Caroline has since led a wide range of excavations and successfully managed an extensive portfolio of archaeological projects. Caroline has particular interest in the prehistoric and Roman periods,  but as Operations Manager she plays a key role in shaping and overseeing projects of all periods, ensuring high standards and effective delivery. 

Paul Clarke BSc SMSTS

PROJECTS MANAGER

Paul joined the team in 2022 as a Project Manager, having begun his career in 2005. He has worked all over the UK on hundreds of archaeological projects, and in East Africa. His main interests relate to the Roman and early medieval periods, or more precisely, the transition between them. He also has more than a passing interest in numismatics and archaeological science. Paul has managed projects for Archaeology Warwickshire in the housing, commercial, solar and local government sectors, throughout the Midlands and southern England. He is also Archaeology Warwickshire's Health and Safety lead. 

Alessio Auricchio-Bund MA BA ACIfA SMSTS

PROJECTS MANAGER

Fulfilling his childhood ambition, Alessio gained  a BA in Archaeology and History of Art in 2011 and an MA in Topography and Archaeology in 2014 at Federico II University in Naples before another MA in Architecture for Archaeology at University of Rome. In 2017 Alessio made the move to the UK, where he followed his dream of working in commercial archaeology. He has since worked across the UK on a wide range of sites from the Neolithic to Post-Medieval periods. Alessio joined Archaeology Warwickshire as a Project Manager in 2024. Alessio is IOSH and SMSTS qualified.

When he's not working, Alessio loves to paint, bake cakes with his son and spend time with his family.

Dr Cathy Coutts MCIfA

PRINCIPAL HISTORIC BUILDINGS OFFICER

Dr Coutts is our built heritage expert. After spells with the British School in Rome, Cathy joined us in 1997 and has since focussed on built heritage with particular interests in vernacular buildings, church architecture and historic farm buildings. Cathy also has expertise in post-medieval pottery. 

Dr Kate Waddington FSA

PRINCIPAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL EDITOR AND PUBLICATIONS OFFICER

Kate joined the team in 2025 after a sixteen year-long career in academia at Bangor University. Her research focusses on the settlement, monument and material culture practices of later prehistoric Britain, and her research excavations of first millennium BC sites in northwest Wales and the West Midlands (e.g. Meillionydd and Whitchurch) have informed her teaching throughout. Kate has worked in archaeology since 2002, and she has extensive editing experience and has published widely. She has taught a range of archaeological modules to undergraduate and post-graduate students, which includes British Prehistory, Experimental Archaeology, fieldwork modules, and archaeological practice and theory. She is committed to community outreach, having recently led the archaeology strand in the development of an ecomuseum in northwest Wales, and she is currently collaborating with Alabaré Homes for Veterans to enrich their heritage provision.

Frances Bradbury MA BA ACIfA

SENIOR HERITAGE OFFICER

Frances graduated in History and Archaeology from Chester University in 2014, before completing a Masters Degree in Historic Building Conservation at Kingston upon Thames in 2018. Frances has always loved old buildings and untangling their historical development to better understand them and advise how to conserve and develop them for the future.

After working on excavations around the south of England with a number of different firms, and expanding her knowledge as a consultant with a large commercial unit, Frances joined Archaeology Warwickshire in 2020 and is now our Senior Heritage Officer.

Susan Porter MA BA ACIfA

SENIOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL OFFICER

Inspired by watching Indiana Jones, and proud of it, Susan has worked in commercial field archaeology since graduating from the University of Liverpool in 2007. She has worked for several organisations, all over the country, on a diverse range of sites. These include prehistoric henge monuments, Roman villas, a Saxon cemetery, fancy medieval toilets and recently a MKIII experimental interwar era aircraft catapult. Susan joined Archaeology Warwickshire in October 2023.

Susan has a specialist interest in Roman coins and as a self-taught numismatist has produced specialist reports on site assemblages and hoards. When not digging holes on site she is chair of The Roman Army School, and writes thrilling archaeological fiction.

Dr Simon Davies PhD M.Phil BA

SENIOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL OFFICER

After being awarded a PhD from the University of Birmingham Simon coordinated physical/social well-being programmes in deprived areas of Birmingham whilst maintaining an interest in archaeology by working on a number of short research and community projects. He moved to commercial archaeology in 2018 when he joined Archaeology Warwickshire. Since completing our graduate trainee scheme Simon has worked on and run numerous sites across the Midlands, and gained expertise in heritage impact assessment and report writing. Areas of particular interest include the Neolithic, landscape archaeology, phenomenological interpretation of routeways, and the use of creative narrative in archaeological interpretation.

Jon Ward MA BA

ARCHAEOLOGICAL OFFICER

Jon joined our team in early 2025 after spending the last several years excavating and subsequently running a large range of sites across the country. Graduating from the University of Chester in 2015, Jon developed a keen interest in the Early Medieval period and all aspects of field archaeology, leading to him to completing an MA in both at the University of York. Most content outside, Jon enjoys hiking , cross country running and fostering guide dogs in training.

Bekky Hillman BA ACIfA

ARCHAEOBOTANIST

Having been inspired to pursue a career in archaeology while fieldwalking with friends, Bekky graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2002 only to put her career on hold to raise four children. After establishing herself as a freelance post-excavation specialist Bekky joined Archaeology Warwickshire in 2017 and now specialises in Archaeobotany. 

In her spare time Bekky enjoys walking, reading and growing plants and she is the current President of the Shipston on Stour and District Historical Society.

Jodie Duffy BA PCIfA

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SUPERVISOR

Jodie joined us full time in 2017 but had spent many of her school and University holidays volunteering with us over the previous 9 years. Jodie has helped to supervise a wide range of sites, from Mesolithic flint scatters, an Anglo-Saxon cemetery and WWII remains as well as large multi period sites. She is particularly interested in the archaeology of medieval settlements and the identification of Saxon and Medieval pottery forms and styles.

Els Meirsman MSC PCIfA

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SUPERVISOR

Els completed her MA in Western European Archaeology at the University of Leuven in 2001 and started her career working in The Netherlands for the Rotterdam Archaeological Service. She has lead excavations ranging in date from the early Neolithic to the post-medieval period and was involved in the analysis of the locally found pottery.

In 2006, Els enrolled with the University of Bradford to complete an MSc in Scientific Methods in Archaeology working on lipid analysis of Bronze Age pottery from a site in Suffolk (UK). This led to a position with the University of Leuven (Belgium) where she gained expertise as a project archaeologist leading prehistoric fieldwork excavations in the Flemish part of Belgium.

Els joined us in 2021, after a maternity break, and has developed expertise in historic building recording.

She is also currently a member of the board of the journal "The Historic Environment: Policy and Practice." In her free time, Els enjoys hiking and visiting places with her family.

Hannah Child MSC BSC PCIfA

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SUPERVISOR

Hannah studied forensic science at the University of Lincoln where her fieldwork and research projects included studying how to determine handedness from metacarpal bones, variations in medieval skulls and a project in Guatemala with the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation helping to excavate mass graves and bring perpetrators to justice.

Her MSc in Forensic Anthropology has led to a developing personal specialism in osteology. Hannah has deployed her skills, knowledge and expertise as a freelance archaeologist across the UK.

Hannah joined Archaeology Warwickshire in 2020. In her spare time Hannah reads fiction and loves going to gigs. Born and brought up in Loughborough, she now lives in Warwick.

John Appleby MRES BA PCIfA

ARCHAEOLOGIST

John joined us as a trainee in 2020 after training as a consultant working on a number of  HS2 projects. He has both a undergraduate degree and a research masters and is interested in a wide variety of archaeological techniques.

Rob Jones PCIfA

ARCHAEOLOGIST AND UAV TECHNICIAN

Rob began his archaeological career at Sandwell priory in 1986 then went on to work at Dudley castle in 1988 eventually joined us in 1989. Over the last 30 years Rob has developed a specialism in the excavation of human remains and post-medieval pottery.

Rob is a CAA approved UAV pilot and is available for aerial photo surveys. 

Pete Thomson BA

GRAPHICS & PROCUREMENT TECHNICIAN

Pete joined us in 1999 after many years working in London. A qualified teacher, Pete is responsible for training and development as well as our trainee programme. Pete has IOSH and SSSTS qualifications and oversees production of our H&S documentation.

Harry Mason-Hodges BA PCIfA

ARCHAEOLOGIST

Harry was born and raised in Warwickshire and has a keen interest in local history and ancient history. He took Ancient History at Swansea University, focussing on his passion for the ancient Greek world but also dabbling in Roman Britain. He joined us as a trainee in 2021 and has enjoyed having the opportunity to investigate the history of the towns and villages he grew up in.  

Katie Lea MA BA PCIfA

ARCHAEOLOGIST

Katie studied archaeology at the University of Southampton spending time undertaking fieldwork at a prehistoric Tell site aside the Danube in Hungary. She also spent a year studying anthropology in northern California before returning to the UK to continue her studies at the University of York taking a Masters in experimental archaeology and material culture.

Katie joined us a trainee in 2021 and she loves ceramics and textiles.   

Alice Dixon MA MSC PCIfA

ARCHAEOLOGIST

Alice joined Archaeology Warwickshire in 2024, having worked  commercially on a range of sites, nationally, since  2021. At university Alice initially studied Physics before pivoting to archaeology and completed an MA in Archaeology at the University of Sheffield and an MSc in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology at Bournemouth University, where her research projects involved looking at the presence of animals in early medieval inhumations and examining the remains of individuals from a 18th-19th century naval hospital for evidence of infectious disease. Her main archaeological interests are osteology and zooarchaeology, in particular the ‘bioarchaeology of care’ and caregiving in the past and past human-animal relationships respectively  

Elle Carter MA PCIfA

ARCHAEOLOGIST

Elle joined Archaeology Warwickshire in 2024, and is currently working both on site and in post-excavation, with a particular emphasis on Roman pottery. 

Molly Dowdeswell MA BA PCIfA

ARCHAEOLOGIST

Molly graduated from Swansea University with a degree in History in 2020, before completing a Masters in early modern history in 2021, and then another in International Heritage Management in 2023, both at the University of Birmingham. Molly started as a trainee in 2023 and has since discovered a particular interest in heritage work. 

Curtis Lisle MRes BA PCIfA

ARCHAEOLOGIST

Before working in the Midlands for Archaeology Warwickshire, Curtis focused his research on the Byzantine-Islamic frontier in Anatolia, gaining a BA followed by a MRes from Birmingham University.

Charlie Palmer MA PCIfA

ARCHAEOLOGIST

Charlie joined as a trainee field technician in November 2023, having previously volunteered during his school and university years. He completed a BA in Archaeology and Ancient History at the University of Birmingham.  

TRAINEE FIELD TECHNICIANS

None at present