PRESIDENT
Prof Sir Ghillean Prance D. Phil., FRS, VMH
Sir Ghillean is a world-renowned scientist, former director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Fellow of the Royal Society.
As a botanist, Prof has travelled and conducted research extensively in South America, with a focus on sustainability and management of the environment through increasing our knowledge and understanding of the plant kingdom.
Knighted in 1995, he was president of the Linnean Society from 1997-2000, having been made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1993. His other honours include the Victoria Medal of Honour (1999), the Patron’s Medal of the Royal Geographical Society (1994).
In 2000 he was made a Commander of the Order of the Southern Cross by the President of Brazil, and in 2012 he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays and Neck Ribbon by the Government of Japan.
Sir Ghillean is also a direct descendant of one of the Plymouth Athenaeum’s founding Presidents of 1812, William Prance.
VICE-PRESIDENTS
Haroun Mohammed, Eileen Willey and David Ryles
CHAIR OF TRUSTEES
William Telford MA
A journalist for more than 30 years, William is currently the business editor at PlymouthLive.
He has worked as a reporter, news editor and business editor, having written for the Daily Mirror, Western Morning News, Plymouth Herald, Sunday Independent, Cornish Guardian, When Saturday Comes, and other publications and online on PlymouthLive, DevonLive, CornwallLive and the national BusinessLive.
William, who was a co-organiser of the PlymLit literary festival, has a law degree from the London Schools of Economics and an MA in creative writing from the University of Plymouth.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND COMPANY SECRETARY
Owen Ryles MBA FRSA FLS
Owen, who worked in the newspaper industry for 20 years as well on projects for Plymouth City Council, has been CEO of the Plymouth Athenaeum since 2018 and company secretary since 2014.
He manages both the Athenaeum building and the activities of the Society. He has a Masters in Business Administration from Wrexham University and a BA (Hons) in Modern History and International Relations from the University of Reading.
Owen is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, the Linnean Society and the Zoological Society. He was chair of the PlymLit literary festival, and currently sits on the boards of several Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) companies.
TRUSTEES
John Hutchins (Deputy Chair), Dr Patrick Holden (Lecture Secretary), Ian Manning (Health & Safety Officer), Roy Hexter (Building & Maintenance), Monica Tully and Joy Pengilley.