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New trustees and the Trowel and Error survey from the director The CBA's Annual General Meeting took place on Saturday 21 February, chaired by Mrs Gail Boyle, Chair of Trustees. During the meeting, members approved a resolution to update the organisation's Articles of Association. As an incorporated charitable company, the CBA is governed by these Articles, which were last revised in 2019. A recent review concluded that the existing Articles no longer reflected modern practice or recent legal developments. Notably, they did not address provisions for virtual or online meetings, such as remote AGMs. The Trustee appointment process was also recognised as complex and potentially restrictive, creating challenges in recruiting individuals with the specialist skills and experience needed to support the organisation's development. Over the past I8 months, the CBA has sought legal advice from Gunner Cooke, a law firm specialising in charity law and governance. Their review identified areas in need of modernisation and offered recommendations for updating the Articles. They also drew attention to a recent Supreme Court judgment concerning fiduciary duties within charitable companies. The decision clarified that all voting members of a charitable company hold a legally enforceable fiduciary duty of loyalty to that company. As the CBA is both a charity and a charitable company, this ruling has direct implications for its governance framework. Gunner Cooke therefore advised that the CBA's Articles be amended so that the charitable company's formal membership consists solely of the I2 Trustees. While all current members remain members of the wider charity, they no longer carry the legal obligations associated with fiduciary duty. This change brings the CBA in line with current law, simplifies governance arrangements, clarifies responsibilities, and supports more effective organisational oversight. The AGM also marked the departure of two Trustees: Danika Parikh and Jeannette Plummer Sires. The CBA Chair expressed our gratitude for their commitment, hard work, and contributions during their time on the Board. Mike D'Aprix was confirmed for a second three-year term as Trustee. Two new Trustees were elected: Mike Young and Lesley McFadyen. Mike Young Top right: Lesley McFadyen Right: Mike Young Mike has spent most of his adult life in Bradford where he worked as a social worker and manager in statutory services in West Yorkshire, specialising in mental health. He has also worked for the Court of Protection, assessing the needs of people with dementia or other forms of brain damage. During his retirement, he obtained a doctorate in the mental health of the British in colonial India. He has been a trustee with several charities and a director of three NHS Trusts and is currently a board member of the UK Social Workers' Benevolent Trust (SWBT). Mike has also spent the last year as a shadow board member of the CBA, getting to know us and our work. Lesley McFadyen Lesley is a Reader in Archaeology at Birkbeck, University of London, specialising in prehistory, archaeology and architecture, and contemporary archaeology and heritage ecologies. She is the Programme Director of the BA in Archaeology and the BA in Ancient History and Archaeology, and she is also Deputy Director of the Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies. She has experience of commercial archaeology and worked as a Project Officer for the Cambridge Archaeological Unit. 6 British Archaeology May June 2026
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In 2022 and 2023 she worked with the CBA to create Letter to a Young Archaeologist - a monthly blog addressed to those considering a career in archaeology through the fictional figure of the 'young archaeologist. It had a significant uptake online and showcased approaches to increasing public understanding of archaeology and widening participation. In the Director's report to the AGM, attention was drawn to progress on two major work strands undertaken over the past I8 months: Reconnecting Archaeology (the CBA's National Lottery Heritage Fund project) and Trowel and Error: A Public User Needs Survey for Archaeology. Reconnecting Archaeology is scheduled to conclude in March 2026, while the Trowel and Error report was published in November 2025. Trowel and Error: A Public User Needs Survey for Archaeology Trowel and Error represents the most comprehensive study in 25 years of how people across the UK engage with, value, and access archaeological information. Delivered in partnership with MOLA and funded by Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland, and Cadw, the project gathered insights from more than 3,100 participants, including archaeologists, students, volunteers, heritage professionals, and members of the wider public. The research revisits the findings of the original 2001 Publication User Need's Survey and examines how the digital landscape, social media, and emerging technologies have transformed archaeological communication. Key findings 98% of survey respondents agreed that archaeology is useful, citing its role in helping us understand the past, connect with our communities, and learn from previous generations. Books and archaeology websites remain the most-used sources of archaeological information, but younger audiences prefer social media and video content, especially You Tube. Archaeology: WhO is it good for? Whose stories THE VOICE OF archaeology for all crisis. by rebellion & anarchy Audiences want archaeology that is accessible, personal, and humancentred, with strong interest in stories, people, and places rather than purely data-driven outputs. 91% of producers of archaeological content believe in-person engagement is one of the most effective ways to connect with audiences. Yet 59% of archaeological content creators do not collect feedback, often due to a lack of time or resources, raising critical questions about how the sector measures public impact. There is high interest in complex, ethical topics such as representation, climate change, and everyday life in the past. Heavy use of scientific or technical language can make archaeology feel elitist, creating barriers for people who are less familiar with the terminology. Left and below left: Collages created by people new to archaeology during Trowel and Error workshops The report provides a clear direction for the future of archaeological engagement, calling for more inclusive and collaborative communication. It recommends creating layered, accessible outputs that allow people to explore information at their own pace. It also stresses the need to make archaeological processes and the role of archaeologists more visible, highlighting the importance of showing not just what is discovered, but how and by whom. Strengthening evaluation and audience research is identified as essential so that engagement is led by evidence rather than assumption. The findings emphasise moving beyond a data first mindset by addressing siloed information and improving public access. They encourage the sector to embrace digital platforms, creative media, and co-designed projects that enable communities to shape how archaeology is shared and understood. Overall, the report shows that people are eager for deeper engagement. Audiences value human stories, the process of discovery, and the personal relevance of archaeology. These insights challenge the sector to listen more, share more openly, and create space for diverse voices. The report envisions a future where archaeology is accessible, inclusive, and meaningful - something anyone can use to explore and enjoy the places they live, work, and play. Read the full Trowel and Error report on our website: archaeologyuk.org/ourwork/trowel-and-error.html British Archaeology May June 2026 7

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New trustees and the Trowel and Error survey

from the director

The CBA's Annual General Meeting took place on Saturday 21 February, chaired by Mrs Gail Boyle, Chair of Trustees. During the meeting, members approved a resolution to update the organisation's Articles of Association. As an incorporated charitable company, the CBA is governed by these Articles, which were last revised in 2019.

A recent review concluded that the existing Articles no longer reflected modern practice or recent legal developments. Notably, they did not address provisions for virtual or online meetings, such as remote AGMs. The Trustee appointment process was also recognised as complex and potentially restrictive, creating challenges in recruiting individuals with the specialist skills and experience needed to support the organisation's development.

Over the past I8 months, the CBA has sought legal advice from Gunner Cooke, a law firm specialising in charity law and governance. Their review identified areas in need of modernisation and offered recommendations for updating the Articles. They also drew attention to a recent Supreme Court judgment concerning fiduciary duties within charitable companies. The decision clarified that all voting members of a charitable company hold a legally enforceable fiduciary duty of loyalty to that company. As the CBA is both a charity and a charitable company, this ruling has direct implications for its governance framework. Gunner Cooke therefore advised that the CBA's Articles be amended so that the charitable company's formal membership consists solely of the I2 Trustees. While all current members remain members of the wider charity, they no longer carry the legal obligations associated with fiduciary duty. This change brings the CBA in line with current law, simplifies governance arrangements, clarifies responsibilities, and supports more effective organisational oversight. The AGM also marked the departure of two Trustees: Danika

Parikh and Jeannette Plummer Sires. The CBA Chair expressed our gratitude for their commitment, hard work, and contributions during their time on the Board. Mike D'Aprix was confirmed for a second three-year term as Trustee.

Two new Trustees were elected: Mike Young and Lesley McFadyen.

Mike Young

Top right: Lesley McFadyen Right: Mike Young

Mike has spent most of his adult life in Bradford where he worked as a social worker and manager in statutory services in West Yorkshire, specialising in mental health. He has also worked for the Court of Protection, assessing the needs of people with dementia or other forms of brain damage.

During his retirement, he obtained a doctorate in the mental health of the British in colonial India. He has been a trustee with several charities and a director of three NHS Trusts and is currently a board member of the UK Social Workers' Benevolent Trust (SWBT). Mike has also spent the last year as a shadow board member of the CBA, getting to know us and our work.

Lesley McFadyen

Lesley is a Reader in Archaeology at Birkbeck, University of London, specialising in prehistory, archaeology and architecture, and contemporary archaeology and heritage ecologies. She is the Programme Director of the BA in Archaeology and the BA in Ancient History and Archaeology, and she is also Deputy Director of the Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies. She has experience of commercial archaeology and worked as a Project Officer for the Cambridge Archaeological Unit.

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