The Cold War Network operates as a Community Interest Company (CIC), which means it is a type of social enterprise designed to use its profits and assets for the public good. As a CIC, the organization is structured to ensure that its activities benefit the community and support its mission related to Cold War history, education, and preservation. You can learn more at Companies House by clicking here.
The governance of the Cold War Network is overseen by a Board of Directors, comprising distinguished individuals dedicated to its mission:
Dr. Peter Robinson – Chair
Peter is Head of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Leeds Beckett University. He is an award-winning author and has published both academic books and peer-reviewed journals, as well as books covering a range of transport, tourism and landscape histories. He has appeared on several television and radio programmes discussing the travel and tourism industry.
Peter is a Fellow of the Tourism Management Institute and the Yorkshire and Humber representative, a Fellow of the Tourism Society, a Fellow of the Institute of Travel and Tourism, and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He is Co-Chair of The Association for Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE), a Director of The Institute of Travel and Tourism and he represents ATHE on the Tourism Society Board. He is Chair of the Tourism Consultants Network and is also part of an ABTA Working Group on skills and qualifications. He is Chair of a charity co-delivering a multi-million-pound regeneration project for the historic house and country park at Elvaston in Derbyshire and is the Education and Outreach Officer for the Airfield Research Group. He was formerly Vice-Chair of The Museum of Carpet.
Peter has owned businesses in photography, travel, ICT, waste management and publishing, and has delivered consultancy work for organisations in a several industry sectors worldwide. In 2021 Peter was Awarded the Victor Middleton Prize for Education and Scholarship by the Association for Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE).
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-peter-robinson-164707b/
Ryan John Ellis – Vice Chair and Company Secretary
Ryan John Ellis is a WRoCAH (AHRC) funded PhD student at the University of York. In collaboration with the Royal Air Force Museum London, his research investigates the heritage significance of former RAF Changi. Through archival research, fieldwork, and oral histories, it explores contested narratives around militarism, colonial legacy, and memory to inform heritage practices and museum representation.
As well as his role with The Cold War Network, Ryan currently serves as a member of the Youth Advisory Board at the Royal Navy Museums (formerly National Museum of the Royal Navy). Previously, he captured more than 200 hours of oral history testimony as the Head of Storytelling at the Royal Signals Museum. His interviews span the end of the Second World War, including the daring exploits of the Special Operations Executive, to the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation (Operation PITTING). He also specialises in digital storytelling, launching curated content on the free and globally accessible Bloomberg Connects platform. In 2024, in recognition of his work, he featured on the inaugural BBC History Magazine/HistoryExtra ’30 under 30′ list.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjohnellis
Dr. Kathryn Bedford – Chair of the Advisory Board
Kathryn is an experienced Curator with a background in Heritage Education. Across her career she has created and delivered tours, activity sessions, exhibitions, and conferences aimed at audiences of all ages and levels of expertise. She developed an interest in the Cold War while caring for and researching the collections associated with RSG12 at Dover Castle and has been an active member of the Cold War Network since its inception.
She is keen to help the Network expand, growing its audience and exposing more people to this surprisingly little-known period of history, while encouraging the development and sharing of sector best practice between Network members. She currently Co-supervises a PhD student working on heritage value in Cold War collections.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-bedford-b44446a4
Nigel Heaps MBE – Treasurer
Nigel Kevin Heaps MBE is a distinguished leader and advocate with a career spanning over four decades, focused on public service, community development, and preserving historical heritage. He was awarded an MBE in 2016 for his contributions to the British Nuclear Veteran Community. He has played a crucial role in championing the rights and recognition of nuclear test survivors in the UK and internationally.
As the Director of the BNTVA Museum CIC and the BH group of companies, Nigel oversees projects to safeguard the legacy of British nuclear history and support non-profi t organisations through grant management and strategic operational provision.
His extensive experience includes roles in law enforcement, intelligence, and education and voluntary leadership positions, such as Chairman of the Centre for Health Effects of Radiological and Chemical Agents at Brunel University. Nigel is also a passionate advocate for education and serves as a Governor at his local college. Through his work, Nigel demonstrates a strong commitment to creating a lasting impact through collaboration, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the community.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-heaps-mbe-7a346168/
James Donaldson – Director
James is a Historian at The Tank Museum in Bovington. His role includes researching and presenting for the Museum’s online content output, delivering tours and talks to a wide variety of groups and supporting the Museum’s publishing program.
He joined the Museum in 2022 after completing an Undergraduate Degree in History at the University of Plymouth.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-donaldson-a19940235/
Amy Hoose – Director
Amy Hoose currently works in learning and engagement for the University of Oxford with a focus on Customer Relationship Management systems. Previously, she worked at the Ashmolean expanding museum learning to the family audience. Amy has worked with such institutions as the Historic Royal Palaces, Imperial War Museums, The British Museum, Augusta Museum of History and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum focusing on visitor experience, events and education.
Throughout her career she has created engagement programmes and activities about the Cold War, including an Escape Room on the McCarthy Era at the Augusta Museum of History. At IWM, she helped create and install a pop-up shop at HMS Belfast within the NAAFI exhibit, and ensured Duxford Air Shows ran smoothly. Amy has an MPhil in Modern European History from the University of Cambridge. She is keen to bring her knowledge of heritage, audiences and the Cold War to the Network.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-h-277b75159/
Mark Parr – Director
After 27 years of service in the British Army, Mark transitioned into the private sector, bringing deep expertise in cyber security leadership and global IT operations. Before joining Buzzacott, he held senior leadership roles at KPMG UK and HFW, and now draws on this experience to enhance the firm’s technology, digital, and cyber capabilities.
While remaining digitally curious, Mark strives to focus on the future to understand industry trends, the dynamic technology landscape, and prevailing behaviours. By doing so, he hopes to navigate the most complex issues to deliver business outcomes directly impacting revenue growth while instilling a culture of ‘digital exploitation’ into the organisation.
Mark is passionate about helping teams to grow and develop and use his knowledge to implement competency frameworks that act as a magnet for talent and address the digital skills gap. He is also a champion and industry commentator for greater diversity and inclusion in technology and is incredibly active in promoting the transition and employability of military veterans.
Mark is a Fellow of the British Computer Society and a Freeman in the Worshipful Company of IT.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parr-mark/
Alan Rawsterne – Director
Alan Rawsterne brings a lifelong interest in Cold War history together with extensive practical experience in the charity sector. Now retired from a career in logistics, compliance, and analytical reporting, he has applied his professional skills to supporting a charitable organisation local to him. As Secretary and trustee of the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum CIO, Alan has played a key role in strengthening organisational governance, developing partnerships, and promoting the protection of a historic moorland site.
Alan would not describe himself as academic; his interest in Cold War heritage is firmly hands‑on. As the owner of a period military vehicle, he has developed practical knowledge of Cold War‑era engineering, deepening his understanding of the period’s technological and social legacy. His appointment to The Cold War Network CIC reflects his commitment to collaborative working, and he hopes his practical experience and long‑standing enthusiasm will help strengthen the Network’s mission to support Cold War heritage across the UK.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-rawsterne-4342998/