Meet the team
The Auckland Castle Trust was established in 2012 with the aim of owning and running the Castle and estate.
Auckland Castle
Working together
for the North-east
John McDonnell QC , Trustee
John is a barrister with expertise in diverse areas of practice, but particularly Chancery, Company, Insolvency and Commercial Litigation but whose experience extends to human rights, judicial review to medical negligence, ports and rivers. He lives in a 15th century tower house and has done much research on the development of Auckland Castle.
History and Mystery
The history and mystery of Auckland Castle with Diarmaid MacCulloch
Jonathan Ruffer
Jonathan grew up in North Yorkshire, read English at Cambridge, trained as a barrister, and then moved into the investment world.
Sir Mark Jones
Mark is the Master of St Cross College, Oxford.
Justin Welby
Justin is Bishop of Durham. Since ordination 20 years ago he has worked in the Coventry and Liverpool Dioceses.
Helen Goodman MP
Helen has been the Labour Member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland since 2005.
Rowena Hackwood
Rowena is Chief Executive of the Auckland Castle Trust.
Dr. Robert McManners
Bob has been GP to four Bishops of Durham and is a keen sportsman, artist and illustrator.
Jane Ruffer
Jane has been a doctor, a school governor, trustee of various charities and vice – chairman of a hospice.
Lady Riddell
Sarah has a background in journalism and arts publishing.
Lady Nicholson
Sarah has a background in publishing and for many years has been involved with the work of Prince’s Trust.
John McDonnell QC
John is a barrister with expertise in diverse areas of practice.