MEET THE TEAM

Read the team blogs on the Latest News Page:

Jayne Pierce, Curator

Curator Jayne Pierce enjoys visiting and exploring all aspects of culture and heritage, from art galleries to museums, architecture and gardens. Appointed as the new Curator, Jayne is looking forward to visiting the South Georgia Museum for the first time at the start of the 2019-20 summer season. Jayne graduated from Leicester University with a BSc Honours degree in Geology before completing an MSc in Micropalaeontology at University College London. After a spate of traveling and exploring gold mining in Western Australia, she returned to the UK to follow a career in museums, first as Curator of the BP Collection at the Natural History Museum. Later, having secured the role of Assistant Curator of the Geology Collections with UCL Museums & Collections, Jayne progressed through a number of positions at UCL before being promoted to Head of Collections Management. Passionate about outdoor pursuits and geology and hiking and exploring the UK national parks, Jayne developed an appetite for traveling which let to hiking the Himalayas of Nepal, the Rocky Mountains of Canada, the volcanoes of New Zealand and Bolivia and is now excited to be joining the museum team for her first season in South Georgia.

Sarah Lurcock, SGHT Director, South Georgia

Sarah Lurcock Sarah Lurcock is responsible for overseeing SGHT operations on South Georgia including the operation and management of the Museum. Sarah studied biology at university and has lived and worked on South Georgia, in various roles for more than 20 years. In this time she has developed an in-depth knowledge of the island’s heritage and natural history and been involved in a variety of projects including the refurbishment of the whalers’ cemeteries and Grytviken Church; scientific fieldwork, and the translocation of reindeer to the Falkland Islands. Sarah has a particular interest in the social history of South Georgia and general history of the Antarctic region.

Liz Adams, Buyer

Liz Adams Liz Adams is the buyer for the Museum gift shop and works from England. Her main goal is to increase the profitability of the shop and to make it an attractive gift shop for visitors to the island. Liz concentrates on sourcing unique high quality gifts that are environmentally friendly and produced ethically.

Jerome Viard, Museum Assistant

Museum Assistant Jerome Viard grew up in France before moving to Cambridge, UK, twelve years ago. He embarked on a career as a chef, going on to become Head Pastry Chef at some of the best hotels in Cambridgeshire. In 2015 he came to South Georgia as a member of the SGHT Habitat Restoration field team, as a cook, during the eradication of the invasive rats and mice from the island. Like most visitors to South Georgia, he fell in love at first sight with the island, and was “blown away” by its wildlife, landscape, cultural heritage and the community life on base. He described his time on the island as “the best time of my life”.

When Jerome is not working in busy hot kitchens, he enjoys being outdoors, gardening, sailing and participating in conservation projects. Jerome is excited to be spending a second season on South Georgia to work at the museum and support the work of SGHT.

Hannah Johns, Museum Assistant

Museum Assistant Hannah Johns first graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in PE and Sports Science and began her career as a PE teacher. This later evolved to teaching English as a foreign language and a subsequent MA which has taken her around the world. During this time she had her first taste of the polar regions when teaching on board a cruise ship visiting Antarctica. With a love for beautiful nature, and particularly snow, after having lived for a number of years in Japan, she finally achieved her dream of being able to live and work in Antarctica. But not before an en route visit to South Georgia and Grytviken, which then sparked another dream job aspiration. Having worked in Antarctica for two seasons for the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust looking after the historic British research station at Port Lockroy, and counting the odd penguin or two, she was able to make that latest dream come true in working for the SGHT, and is looking forward to continuing the valuable work that the Trust carries out.

Caitlin Cunningham, Fundraising Assistant

Fundraising Assistant Caitlin Cunningham fell in love with the idea of working in Antarctica during an Antarctic Ecology and History course taken as part of her Marine Biology degree. During this, she learned about the thrilling expeditions from the heroic age, as well as the remarkable wildlife the polar region offered. Prior to coming to South Georgia, she was working on Lundy Island, predominantly supporting the photo-identification of grey seals, building upon her previous marine mammal research experience from time in both America and Germany.

With several years volunteering with an international marine organisation, she has experience in fundraising and a passion for outreach. Caitlin is very excited to develop her skills, whilst supporting the important work of SGHT.

Steve Massam, Museum Taxidermist

Steve Massam Steve Massam is the Museum Taxidermist. He is based in the Falkland Islands and has occasionally spent time working at the South Georgia Museum. Steve is also a talented sculptor and has designed an attractive range of goods that are made for sale in the gift shop. He assists with training the museum staff to make the South Georgia Island Craft range.