Back to About us

Hylton Castle Trust & Partners

The Trustees

Colin Liddle

Susan Ord

Raj Singh

Jackie Smith

Bob Wilson

Colin Burnicle

Colin Wilson

Allison Chisnall

Simon Walker

Simon Bean

Colin Liddle

Born in Castletown, Colin has worked in a range of organisations both managing staff and in a personal performance capacity. NEBOSH qualified and an IOSH member for the last 10 years, he brings a wealth of health and safety expertise to the Castle and ensures that risk assessments, fire risk assessments and current legislation is adhered to to ensure the Castle is safe for all who visit

Susan Ord

Susan is one of the original group members who campaigned for 30 years to achieve the restoration of Hylton Castle. Now retired, Susan has been involved in many initiatives across the city, including securing funding, and the development and strategic management of a range of projects that support local communities.

Raj Singh

Raj brings a wealth of expertise in Strategy, Project/Capital Management and Education gained over 40 years working in Public Administration in the North East and building a property investment company. Raj sits on several boards and is a serving magistrate with links supporting Hylton Castle’s restoration over many years.

Jackie Smith

Jackie retired as Business Manager at Beacon of Light School after 44 years of working in a variety of community and education settings and was involved with the Hylton Castle Redevelopment Project representing Castle View Academy on the Steering Group before becoming a Trustee.

Bob Wilson

With general management experience gained working in the UK and abroad Bob spent 20 years as Managing Director in the UK Water Industry. Now retired, Bob retains a role in Scottish Water's Independent Customer Group and brings sales and marketing experience to Hylton Castle, having always lived on its doorstep.

Colin Burnicle

Colin was centre manager for Carillion Construction Training. Carillion was one of the UK's largest construction and facilities management companies. Colin started volunteering at Hylton Castle in 2018 after retiring and because of his interest in local history, he joined the board of trustees in 2025. He is still volunteering as one of the tour guides on a weekly basis. As a trustee he is looking forward to helping the castle grow and develop in the future.

Colin Wilson

Colin is retired but involved locally with various bodies including Sunderland RCA FC as a committee member, Springboard Sunderland as Chairman and Sunderland Carers Centre as a trustee, as well as Hylton Castle Trust as a Director. He worked for 20+ years at Springboard Sunderland, including becoming involved in the very early days of the project to restore Hylton Castle. Later, 10+ years with a large national charity as Director of Learning.

Allison Chisnall

Awaiting photo

Simon Walker

Awaiting photo

Simon Bean

Simon has over 30 years’ general management experience across tourism, transport and visitor attractions, spanning commercial development, marketing, operations, organisational change and community engagement. Since joining English Heritage in 2026, shortly after it became an independent charity, Simon leads the charity’s site operations in the north of England and has overseen major site development projects at Whitby Abbey, Birdoswald Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall and Mount Grace Priory. Simon also oversaw the development and delivery of the National Heritage Lottery-funded ‘Old Hall, New Beginnings’ project at Gainsborough Old Hall, strengthening the property’s relevance and broadening participation within the community it serves.