Trustees - River & Rowing Museum

The River & Rowing Museum Foundation is an independent educational charity. Our Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall control and strategic direction of Henley’s Museum.

They meet regularly to review our plans and policies, and receive reports and updates from our staff. The trustees work for the Museum voluntarily to make sure we’re doing all we can to bring history and the arts to life in Henley.

Cllr Ken Arlett

Cllr Arlett’s career with both Henley Town and South Oxfordshire District Council spans nearly 20 years, and Ken currently serves on a number of Council committees. Born and educated in Henley, Cllr Ken Arlett was one of the original Museum Trustees going back to 1991. Ken has rowed local at Henley Rowing Club, and before retirement worked in property development.

Sandra Botterell

Sandra joined the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in March 2015 as Director of Marketing & Commercial Enterprise. After a successful career as Client Services Director in marketing agencies, Sandra moved client side, holding senior positions at Gossard, Microsoft, and Premier Inn. This was followed by 7 years as Head of Marketing, Brand & Digital at Historic Royal Palaces, then 2 years as Commercial Director for Royal Museums Greenwich. Sandra also serves as a Governor of the University of West London.

Tracey Bowen

Tracey has been working in education for over 20 years. She is currently the Headteacher of an outstanding primary school in Slough, within The Arbib Education Trust. The Trust is the UK’s first and leading Trust promoting Museum Learning in its schools. She is also a serving Ofsted Inspector. Tracey is keen to support the further development of the Museum’s learning programme.

Eric Den Besten

Eric leads a single-family investment office whose recent acquisitions include an F1 team and a controlling stake in Aston Martin Lagonda. A former US National and World Champion rower, Eric can often be found on the water. He is a trustee of the US National Rowing Foundation and a member of London, Upper Thames and Leander Boat Clubs.

Fiona Dennis

Fiona was a head teacher for 12 years before becoming an Educational Consultant. She is Life Vice President of Derby Rowing Club and has been involved in event organisation for 20 years, including Henley Women’s Regatta, and the World Rowing Junior Championships. A member of the British Rowing Council, Fiona umpired at the 2012 London Paralympic Games, and is a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta.

Scott Furlong

Scott has worked with museums and collections for over 25 years, most recently as Director of Collections and Cultural Property at Arts Council England since 2012. Previously he spent 9 years at Royal Museums Greenwich as Head of Collections Management with responsibility for managing and providing access to the museum’s collections. Scott started his career working, over a period of 7 years, with the Prints and Drawings collections at Windsor Castle as part of the Royal Collection. He currently sits on the Advisory Group for the British Council/DCMS Cultural Protection Fund. Scott lives in Kingston-upon-Thames and is passionate about how collections, culture and heritage can connect people to their stories and place.

Howard Jacobs

Howard has had a life-long interest in rowing, winning two Blues for Cambridge and the Visitors’ at Henley Royal Regatta. He has been Chair of the Leander Trust, and Chief Executive of the Boat Race Company. He was formerly a Partner in a City solicitors’ firm.

Moira Logie

Moira joined Sue Ryder in 2011 and after 5 years went on to become Head of Fundraising at Katherine House Hospice in 2016. She has held Board Level Operations Director roles in University Hospitals in Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Oxford, underpinned by a 14-year scientific career in pathology. Moira has served as a Chair of school governors and as a lay member of the Oxfordshire County Council Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Kenneth Nel

Kenneth not only has a deep passion for rowing, the history of sport and the river, he is also the founder and Director of ‘The Digital Coach’ a digital agency with a team of 20 digital zealots across three continents. His first book – The Lie We Are Sold – was based on a journey of more than 20 years in the digital marketing field. He pioneered the use of mobile media technologies and payment gateways in the early days with companies like MTN and Vodafone, whilst generating over 3000 page 1 Rankings with SEO services for major directories. He has worked with start-ups through to blue chip companies like 3M and has developed a unique process for the delivery and execution of effective digital strategies, for companies and individuals alike.

Paul Reynolds

Paul is the Chief Executive of Thamesis Limited, a single-family office. He has previously held senior positions at Sand Aire and Credit Suisse and has over 30 years’ banking and investment experience. Paul is a fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and Chairman of the Trustees of the Bowel and Cancer Research Charity.

David Worthington, Chairman

A designer by background, David was Managing Director of Conran Design Group from 1996 to 2007, since when he has pursued a non-executive career, including roles as chairman of Holmes & Marchant, Governor of Ravensbourne University London, Trustee of the London Transport Museum and Chair of the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries.

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