The Team

It doesn't take 821 people to run HMS Victory any more but we still have a team of over 40 people working throughout the year to make sure the ship stays open to the public.



Keeper and Curator - Andrew Baines Andrew joined HMS Victory in September 2011. Hailing from Preston in Lancashire, Andrew came to Portsmouth in 1999 as a student at the university. He holds degrees in Quantity Surveying and Maritime Conservation Science, and is in the process of completing an MA in Naval History at the University of Exeter. Andrew’s role before joining HMS Victory was as Archivist and Historian for HMS Warrior 1860, where he gained experience in the conservation, restoration and interpretation of historic ships. 

Victory Guiding Staff – Bill Mansfield – Acting Visitor Services Manager
Bill joined the Ministry of Defence in 1985 and was employed in a number of posts including as an Inspector of Naval Ordnance. He began work on HMS Victory as a guide in 1998, and more recently acting as the VSM. He holds a degree in Archaeology and a PG Dip in Museum Studies, and has worked both in Archaeology and Further Education.
To enhance the visitor experience, HMS Victory has a full-time staff of 16 guides.
All of the Guides offer a professional, enthusiastic and high quality visit through their tours, and will provide detailed knowledge of the Georgian Royal Navy and HMS Victory.
During the summer our free-flow system will enable you to explore the ship by yourself, whilst also having the Guides available to answer any questions that you may have.

Victory Events Staff - Connie Walsham- Events Manager Connie Walsham the Events Manager, supported by her Deputy (John Gywnn), leads a small but dedicated and loyal team that provides the manpower and support which helps the ship achieve its various roles. The activities undertaken by the Team range from daily routine cleaning tasks to assisting in curatorial work to supporting the Admiral’s Retinue Staff during Great Cabin Dinners. In addition, the team is actively involved in the planning, organising and execution of onboard events and functions. They also liaise and work alongside BAE Systems Ltd and other agencies and contractors. The Team are John Gwynn (joined the ship in 2004), Phil Desmond (Joined the ship 1997), Emma Porter (1998), Kev Singh (2001), Fred Pink (2003) and Alex Osborne (2003) and all of them were actively involved in the Bicentennial Commemoration of the Battle of Trafalgar which culminated with a Great Cabin Dinner attended by HM The Queen. Connie joined the Ministry of Defence in 2007. After an extensive career in the Financial Services Industry, her role on joining the MoD was as a senior Analyst for the Criminal Records Bureau, transferring in Feb 2010 to the Directorate Naval Legal Services as a Service Complaints Litigation Caseworker, finally joining HMS Victory in October 2011, ensuring a smooth transition from retiring Events Manger Mr Alan Price and just in time for Trafalgar Day celebrations.

Commanding Officer's PA - Mrs Ann Ryder Mrs Ann Ryder joined HMS Victory in November 2008. She has been in the Civil Service since 1990 and has spent most of her time at the Royal Hospital Haslar where she was the Registry Supervisor.