Meet the team at Oxburgh Hall

Meet the team working behind the scenes at Oxburgh Hall. Supported by an amazing group of volunteers and a wider team of specialists, including archaeologists, conservators, curators, garden advisors, building surveyors, fundraisers, wildlife advisors and many more - say hello if you see one of them on your next visit.

General Manager, Russell standing in front of Oxburgh Hall

Russell Clement, General Manager

It’s my role to motivate and lead the team of staff and volunteers who look after Oxburgh Hall, ensuring this incredible place has a future that can be enjoyed by visitors for many years to come. I started my career in high-end restaurants and joined the National Trust’s food and beverage team 20 years later, working my way up to where I am now. And what a place to work and an exciting time to be a part of Oxburgh’s story, which we’re continuing to write.

House Manager at Oxburgh Hall standing in the front doorway

Lynsey Coombs, House and Collections Manager

As well as opening the house to visitors, I’m responsible for looking after every item in Oxburgh’s collection. I’ve worked in heritage for my whole career and I’ve been really privileged to work at several stately homes, castles and museums, but my move to Oxburgh means that I can now work more closely with a collection, which has been a dream job of mine for some time.

Helen the Outdoors manager doing a spot of gardening at Oxburgh Hall

Helen Gregory, Outdoors Manager

I lead the outdoors team which includes a gardener, a ranger and 80 volunteers, who between us manage the gardens and the wider estate. This includes grazing fields, the river, woodlands and the recently acquired registered historic parkland. I’ve had a career in countryside management for many years now and love the tranquillity and peaceful setting that Oxburgh has to offer.

Oxburgh Hall's ranger Tom leaning on a new gate

Tom Day, Ranger

Through volunteering and the National Trust’s Academy programme, I was able to change career to become a ranger and in 2017 I made the move from Essex to Norfolk with my family. We love it here and Oxburgh’s woodlands, watercourses, meadows and parkland not only make it a special environment to work in, but there’s always something different to see with the changing seasons.

Sarah greeting visitors at the entrance to Oxburgh Hall

Sarah Garner, Membership and Visitor Welcome Manager

The tranquillity of Oxburgh with the mist rising from the moat in the early morning, means I feel very privileged to call this my office. I was looking for something different and now I get to welcome and inspire visitors as you arrive on a day out with us, whether it’s someone's first visit or they've been several times before, there’s always something new to point out.

Victoria the Visitor Experience Manager standing in front of a window

Victoria McKeown, Visitor Experience Manager

After studying Art History and Cultural Heritage at university, I worked and volunteered in museums and galleries, before beginning my journey with the National Trust. It’s hard to put your finger on it, but there’s something special about Oxburgh. It’s my job to make sure everyone who visits has a warm welcome and unforgettable experience.

Geoff wearing a high vis jacket on the bridge at Oxburgh Hall

Geoffrey Morley, Facilities and Support Services Manager

It’s incredibly rewarding working for a charity like the National Trust. It’s my job to manage the regular maintenance of Oxburgh, just like you’d do with your own home (only on a much bigger scale). As well as compliance, I'm always on the lookout for ways to improve our environmental performance and make efficiencies where we can.

Sarah chatting to a volunteer at Oxburgh Hall

Sarah Purse, Volunteer and Community Involvement Officer

The National Trust was always a big part of my childhood. I started out volunteering to gain experience after university and now I champion and create volunteering opportunities for others at Oxburgh. It’s my job to make volunteering fulfilling and fun, as well as work with the local community, as we find more ways to get people involved with the work that we do.

Enterprise Manager standing behind the till at Oxburgh Hall

Jeanette Marriott, Enterprises Manager

I have so many lovely memories here. I started out helping in the tea room once a week, then over the year’s things evolved and the rest, as they say, is history. Now I look after our food and beverage offer, retail and our holiday cottage, all of which contribute to the funds we need to carry out the vital conservation work that we do.

Cook standing in the kitchen at Oxburgh Hall

Helen Key, Cook

I’ve worked in the food and beverage industry since I was a teenager and have been a National Trust member for 20 years, so I jumped at the chance of working at Oxburgh when the opportunity came up. I love baking, which is a good thing when you need to make as many scones as we do. And it’s always a treat when you can use ingredients grown in the garden.

Man holding a tray with tea

Tom Marriott, Food & Beverage Team Leader

It’s my job to oversee the running of the tea room and pantry at Oxburgh. I started working here when I was a teenager, then after a couple of years away, I re-applied and I’ve now been here for more than a decade. That’s the thing, you just fall in love with this place. I think winter is my favourite time of year, as there’s something really special about a sprinkling of snow on the ground.

Meet some of our volunteers

Cliff, a volunteer standing next to the window at Oxburgh Hall

Volunteer profile: Meet Cliff I’Anson 

Cliff is a Room Guide at Oxburgh Hall and began volunteering as a way of continuing to socialise with people and keep his mind active following his retirement.

Volunteer in the garden at Oxburgh Hall

Volunteer profile: Meet Farida Shirley 

Farida first fell in love with Oxburgh almost 20 years ago, now with the kids grown up and free time on her hands, she came back to join the team as a garden volunteer.

A volunteer standing in the window at Oxburgh Hall

Volunteer profile: Meet Belinda Ashman 

Belinda fits in volunteering as a Room Guide with her day job. She’s learnt so much about herself and gained new skills along the way, which are also proving useful outside of her role at Oxburgh.

Volunteer in the kitchen at Oxburgh Hall

Volunteer profile: Meet Liberty Blackmore 

Libby is one of our youngest volunteers. Still at High School, she started volunteering at Oxburgh as something a little different to do with her spare time. Now it’s given her lots of ideas for her future.