Our Trustees

Nick Powe - Chair

Nick ran Kents Cavern for over two decades and joined Torquay Museum in 2024. He is chair of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, a director at VisitDevon and sits on Exeter Cathedral's Enterprises Board. He is the 2025/26 President of the Devonshire Association. Nick trained as a Chartered Accountant with EY and held international finance roles with Nestle and Dalgety. He is a Deputy Lieutenant fo Devon. 

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Prof Stephen Rippon - Vice Chair

Stephen Rippon FSA is Professor of Landscape Archaeology at the University of Exeter. His research and teaching focusses on the origins and development of regional variation in landscape character. This has included directing and publishing a major programme of fieldwork on the Iron Age, Roman and early medieval settlement at Dainton Elms Cross in Ipplepen, Devon, the archive of which is being deposited at Torquay Museum.

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Alison Flora MacMillan LVO JP

Born in Paignton and studying in Torquay Grammar School for Girls, Alison remembers being a keen member of the Torquay Museum Club.

She has recently retired from over 40 years in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, serving in many overseas postings including Mexico City, Washington, Santiago, Managua and finally three postings to Gibraltar. 

In London, Alison served most recentrly as a Director of Protocol and Assistant Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps. 

Alison was appointed as a Lieutenant of the Royal Victoria Order. She is a Freeman of the City of London and serves as a Justice of the Peace. She lives in Paignton with her husband; they have two daughters. 

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James Hull

James Hull is General Manager of Kents Cavern, where he has proudly worked for more than 20 years. Passionate about making heritage engaging and enjoyable, he has helped shape the caves' visitor experience through events, group activities, retail, and catering, while also caring for the site as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. James values the historic connection between Kents Cavern and Torquay Museum, first established through William Pengelly's 1865 excavation. He lives locally in Torquay with his wife, Kerry, and their two daughters. 

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