Meet the Albion Archaeology team
Albion Archaeology's team of archaeologists and heritage professionals have built up many years experience delivering projects for private and public sector clients, as well as for individuals requiring services on a one off basis. We are just as at home working collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team at the outset of the planning process as we are as sub-contractor on a construction site.
Many of our staff are experts in their field, and through our encouragement of continued professional development and commitment to training we ensure that these skills are embedded throughout the team. We have a long tradition of involvement with national professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, the Federation of Employers and Managers and the Council for British Archaeology, as well as local groups and societies.
With a combination of professional credibility and commercial awareness, as well as long-standing relationships with local planning authority representatives, we can communicate effectively with you and your team to bring projects to completion on schedule.
Hester Cooper-Reade MCIfA - Business Manager
Hester is an accomplished archaeologist with more than 30 years experience and has been Business Manager at Albion Archaeology since 2003.
She remains involved in historic building recording with a particular interest in buildings of the 19th and 20th century.
Iain Leslie MCIfA - Operations Manager
Iain has been working at Albion Archaeology since 2008 and was appointed to the role of Operations Manager in September 2023, with overall responsibility for all Albion Archaeology projects. His personal interests include the archaeology of the middle Iron Age and the use of techniques and technologies which can help us improve the way we work. Outside of work he is a keen rock climber and mountaineer.
Jeremy Oetgen MCIfA - Archaeological Manager
Jeremy has been a manager at Albion Archaeology since 2001 and has particular expertise on Bedford’s heritage, having directed the only major excavations in central Bedford in two decades and advised Bedford Borough Council’s strategic regeneration of the Castle Quarter. He believes passionately that the historic environment should enliven our modern cultural topography.
Mike Luke MCIfA - Archaeological Manager
Since joining Albion in 1989, Mike has worked at various levels within the organisation and on all kinds of projects. Mike has published monographs and numerous articles in archaeological journals. He is currently a Honorary Research Fellow with Cardiff University. Outside of Albion he is a season ticket holder at Wycombe Wanderers and a keen wild swimmer.
Kathy Pilkinton ACIfA -Archaeological Manager
Kathy has worked at Albion since 2005 and has extensive fieldwork and post-excavation experience on archaeological sites with specific experience in survey techniques and use of CAD. She spreads the archaeological word by volunteering at the Bedford YAC and is also a member of folk band Said the Maiden, as well as a keen snowboarder.
David Ingham FSA MCIfA - Archaeological Manager
Part of the Albion Archaeology team since 2002, David has coordinated a wide variety of fieldwork projects and has extensive experience of post-excavation work. He is the editor of Bedfordshire Archaeology as well as Secretary for CBA South Midlands and East Midlands.
Wes Keir ACIfA - Archaeological Manager
Wes has been a part of the Albion Archaeology team since 2003, and has experience of managing and undertaking a wide variety of archaeological work. He has a particular interest in the application and use of digital survey techniques for recording archaeological sites. He enjoys travel and has travelled extensively in Africa.
Jackie Wells - Finds Manager
A member of the Albion Archaeology team since 1990, Jackie has more than 25 years experience of ceramic and non-ceramic artefact analysis from the later prehistoric to post-medieval periods, and is particularly interested in Saxon and early medieval archaeology.
Irene Sala PCIfA - Finds Supervisor
Finds Supervisor, Irene Sala, has worked at Albion Archaeology since 2018 initially as a field archaeologist and now in the finds team. Irene specialises in archaeobotany, and manages the processing of finds and soil samples from our excavations.
Mark Phillips MCIfA - Assistant Archaeological Manager
Mark has been with Albion Archaeology since 1989, and a Project Officer since 2001. He has coordinated investigations on a wide variety of sites, and leads on much of Albion’s built heritage work, recording sites from country houses to onion sheds. Mark also enjoys sailing model racing yachts.
Allan King ACIfA - Assistant Archaeological Manager
Allan has worked at Albion Archaeology since 2012, and originally joined as part of the field team. He has experience of sites from all periods across central and eastern England, and is particularly interested in the Iron Age. In his spare time, Allan is a keen reader and enjoys figure painting.
Marcin Kozimiński ACIfA - Assistant Archaeological Manager
Part of the Albion Archaeology team since 2007, Marcin has plenty experience of running and overseeing all manner of sites in Britain, and has previously excavated in both Poland and Ukraine. He particularly enjoys sites of the Saxon and early Medieval period. A keen runner and traveller, he also enjoys the mountains and cuisine of the Balkans.
Tori Guy ACIfA - Assistant Archaeological Manager
Since joining Albion Archaeology in 2012, Tori has worked on many major projects. She has extensive knowledge of field archaeology in eastern England and the use of digital survey digital survey on archaeological excavations. Outside of work she runs the Young Archaeologist Club in Aylesbury and is a keen runner.
Ben Carroll PCIfA - Assistant Archaeological Manager
Ben has been a part of the Albion Archaeology team since 2010, overseeing and designing projects across southern England, and has also carried out excavation in Germany. His interests include landscape archaeology and the archaeology of East Anglia, and outside of work he enjoys taking in the art of Flemish Renaissance and British Romantic painters.
Ian Turner ACIfA - Assistant Archaeological Manager
Helen Parslow MCIfA - Archives Officer
Helen has worked at Albion Archaeology since 1989, and since 2004 she has been the full time Archives Officer. She serves on archives and CIfA committees. Helen also co-ordinates Albion’s outreach activities and runs the Bedford Young Archaeologist Club. She owns three adorable degus and is active on various committees and groups including with CIfA and CBA South Midlands.
Joan Lightning PCIfA - CAD/Survey Technician
Part of Albion Archaeology staff since 1993, Joan is skilled in the use of AutoCAD and GIS, with experience of aerial photographic interpretation. She is particularly interested in Mesolithic flint tools, and in her spare time has written a series of fantasy novels. She also holds a black belt in Kung Fu.