Who we are
Our people share a passion for Greater Manchester’s histories and heritage and their commitment and talents enable our small organisation, trustees, patrons and volunteers to make a big difference.
Our Team
Our Chief Executive Officer manages Manchester Histories, supported by our small staff team and network of volunteers.
Karen Shannon
Chief Executive Officer
Karen is responsible for the creative direction, vision, strategic planning, programming, marketing and income generation of Manchester Histories. She has more than 25 years of experience delivering cultural projects with partners, professional artists, cultural organisations and communities. Karen joined Manchester Histories in 2017.
Janine Hague
Project Manager
Janine manages a host of Manchester Histories projects. To do so she is working with community groups and cultural organisations to tell the stories of people and places across Greater Manchester.
Charlie Booth
Community Engagement Manager
Charlie manages the community engagement programmes for Manchester Histories, which includes the recruitment and ongoing learning and development of our volunteers, and work with communities.
Ted Harris
Marketing and Communications Officer
Ted is responsible for the Manchester Histories website, blog, social media channels and email communications. He has previously worked for many arts and heritage organisations across Greater Manchester, including The Whitworth, The Lowry, Manchester International Festival and Chetham's Library.
John Leatherbarrow
Administrator
John is responsible for all of the administration and financial processes for Manchester Histories, which includes paying invoices, data management, and supporting the team and board of Trustees with meetings and taking minutes.
Trustees and Patrons
Manchester Histories is governed by eight Trustees and supported by two Patrons.
Hannah Barker
Chair of Manchester Histories
Hannah Barker is a historian of the industrial revolution in the north of England. She is Professor of British History at the University of Manchester, Director of the John Ryalnds Research Institute, Chair of Chetham’s Library Committee, Governor at William Hulme’s School and a Historical Advisor for the National Trust.
John Williams
Trustee
John Williams is a consultant working with arts and heritage organisations. John is Chair of the Millennium Quarter in Manchester, a mentor for the Museums
Association Diploma and for the Heritage Lottery Fund, and a heritage expert for the Institute of Fundraising.
Melanie Tebbutt
Trustee
Melanie Tebbutt is Professor of Youth History at Manchester Metropolitan University, where she has developed many community-based history projects, especially around themes of childhood and youth in Manchester and the North-West. She is Honorary President of the Children’s History Society UK and President of the International Society for the History of Children and Youth.
Andrew Pattison
Trustee
Andrew Pattison is a partner at law firm Shoosmiths LLP, specialising in commercial real estate development projects across Manchester. Andrew has a life-long love of history and enjoys exploring the history of the sites and buildings he works on.
Rob Higginson
Trustee
Rob Higginson is a Commercial Leader with Laing O’Rourke in Manchester and has years of experience in commercial and financial management. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Heather Shore
Trustee
Heather Shore is a historian specialising in crime and youth justice, and teaches History at Manchester Metropolitan University. Heather is the Director of the Manchester Centre for Public History and Heritage.
Kirsty Hutchinson
Trustee
Kirsty Hutchinson is co-chair of the Disability Staff Network at the University of Manchester and is passionate about disability equality. She is also a volunteering & community engagement consultant with the Student Development & Community Engagement Division.
Charlotte Wilding
Trustee
Charlie Wildman is a lecturer in modern British history at the University of Manchester, where she is the Assistant Director of Research Impact for the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures. Charlie has undertaken significant engagement work with heritage and community groups across the North-West.
Jahmal Williams-Thomas
Trustee
Jahmal Williams-Thomas is a journalist for ITV News Granada Reports often covering cultural stories. Starting his career in the creative arts sector, he grew up in Moss Side and is a very proud Mancunian with a passion for the city.
Michael Wood
Patron
Michael Wood is a historian, broadcaster and author. Michael was born in Manchester and is Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester. He was awarded the Historical Association’s Medlicott Medal for outstanding services to history, and received the British Academy’s President’s Medal (2015) for outreach in history.
David Adetayo Olusoga OBE
Patron
David Adetayo Olusoga OBE is a British Nigerian historian, writer, broadcaster, presenter and filmmaker. David is Professor of Public History at the
University of Manchester. He is an expert on military history, empire, race and slavery and has been described as 'one of the UK’s foremost historians'.
Volunteers
Manchester Histories’ dedicated volunteers make a significant difference to our capacity to deliver events, and to the culture of our organisation. We value their contribution to Manchester Histories, and we’ll continue to invest in their development and support.
