Our Story
Since opening to the public in 2014, we have operated as a registered charity, dedicated to preserving our remarkable estate, sharing its stories and creating inspiring experiences for generations to come.
Charity History
We are immeasurably proud of how far we’ve come since opening in 2014. To be able to generate all of our own income through a mixed economy model and having plans to steadily grow these revenue streams is a demonstrable marker of success.
Ushaw’s student population began to decline in the 1970s. The Junior Seminary closed in 1972, and vocations to the priesthood dropped. The 2007 financial crisis increased pressure and in 2011 the seminary closed. Initiatives began in 2014 to open Ushaw to visitors, with a programme of music and guided tours facilitated by a body of volunteers. The heritage and cultural offer was well received and visitor numbers grew alongside conference and meeting room hire and the establishment of a business hub of serviced offices and creative studio spaces.
Ushaw is recognised as a key part of the cultural economy of the North East. Our spectacular indoor and outdoor spaces now offer a huge range of activities that create meaningful experiences for people and communities.Â
These support our survival but do not address the derelict buildings and those on the At Risk Register. We will need to be imaginative yet pragmatic, maximising the potential of staff and volunteers within a robust and agile organisation to deliver our vision, balancing ambitions with the constraints and limitations we face.
Our Vision
An Ushaw that flourishes and thrives, enhancing lives as a centre for heritage & culture. Its land, buildings and collections are accessible, sustainable and delivering lasting economic, social and environmental benefits rooted in community engagement.
Our Mission
We will preserve and protect the Ushaw estate, its land, buildings and collections, for the purpose of public access and enjoyment of arts, culture and heritage.
Our Values
Open
We are open and welcoming to all, embracing equality, diversity and inclusion.
Brave
We are brave - pushing boundaries and are not afraid of challenges.
Connected
We are connected - we respect the past whilst embracing the future.
Creative
We are creative - in our own approach to what we do and inspiring creativity in others.
Caring
We are environmentally conscious and care for both our environment and our communities.
Co-CEOs
Jonathan Ward
Co-CEO
Jonathan Ward is Co-Chief Executive of Ushaw, where he leads on commercial development and income generation, helping to secure a sustainable future for its historic buildings, collections and wider estate. He has played a key role in Ushaw's continuing transformation from a former Catholic seminary into a vibrant heritage, cultural and visitor destination, developing new opportunities in tourism, hospitality, retail, events and accommodation while ensuring the site remains rooted in its unique history and heritage. Jonathan brings extensive commercial and operational experience, including senior responsibility for a portfolio of 86 retail stores and consultancy work supporting small and medium-sized businesses. Alongside his role at Ushaw, Jonathan is a Lay Member of Chapter at Durham Cathedral and a trustee of the Association of English Cathedrals and the Friends of St James' Church. He is also a Licensed Lay Minister in the Church of England. He has a particular interest in bringing together heritage, faith and community, finding innovative and sustainable ways for historic places to remain relevant, accessible and valued.
Lucy Jenkins
Co-CEO
Lucy Jenkins is Co-Chief Executive of Ushaw, leading its cultural, heritage and fundraising activity. With 30 years’ experience in the culture and heritage sector, she has been central to transforming Ushaw from a former Catholic seminary into a much-loved heritage and cultural attraction. Under her leadership, visitor numbers grew to over 112,000 in 2025/26, major partnership funding was secured from Historic England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England and the Art Fund, and museum Accreditation was achieved. In 2026, Lucy was shortlisted for Inspiring Woman in Business at the North East Chamber of Commerce Awards, in the category for larger businesses with over 50 employees. Previously, Lucy led strategic change at Newcastle University’s Hatton Gallery, doubling audience numbers, developing programmes for hard-to-reach audiences and initiating its capital redevelopment. As an independent curator, she delivered arts and cultural projects with regional authorities and organisations, including Durham County Council and the North Pennines AONB Partnership. She is also a Trustee of Northern Heartlands, supporting creative community engagement.
Trustees
Carol Lawrence
Chief Operating Officer of the Diocese of Shrewsbury
Carol Lawrence is Chief Operating Officer of the Diocese of Shrewsbury and serves as one of its trustees. She has been a trustee of Caritas Diocese of Shrewsbury since December 2016 and is also trustee of the Catholic Children’s Society (Shrewsbury Diocese), the Liverpool Roman Catholic Archdiocesan Trust, the Catholic Trust for England and Wales, and the Youth Ministry Trust.
Harvey Dowdy
Retired Director of Technology, Estates and Facilities at University of York
Harvey Dowdy recently retired from being Director of Technology, Estates and Facilities at the University of York. Before joining York, Harvey spent five years as Director of Estates at the University of Lincoln, following a similar period as Deputy Director at Durham University. From 2018 to 2022, Harvey sat on the Executive Committee of the Association of University Directors of Estates, and is a Trustee of the University Design Quality Forum.
Janet Stewart
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Durham University
Janet Stewart is Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Durham University. She is a member of the University Executive Committee, where she is responsible for the strategic development and financial performance of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and of University Library and Collections. She is also a member of the Executive Group of Universities for North East England. In these roles, she works closely with partners in the culture, creative industries and heritage sector across the North East. She was the founding Director of the Centre for Visual Arts and Culture at Durham University and part of the team that successfully bid to establish a Leverhulme Doctoral Training Centre for Visual Culture in Durham. She also served as Head of School from 2015 to 2018.
Liz Waller
retired Director of Libraries and Collections at Durham University
Liz Waller spent over 30 years working in Higher Education Libraries in a variety of roles, including responsibility for marketing, student education, teaching and buildings, as well as strategic leadership. After working in a number of Russell Group universities, her final role before retirement was Director of Libraries, Museums and Collections at Durham University. In retirement, Liz wished to continue to use her expertise to benefit the cultural sector and has a portfolio of trustee roles in the Library and Museum sector. She first worked with Ushaw in her capacity as University Librarian and is delighted to continue her engagement as a trustee. She brings expertise in collections and collection management, senior leadership, strategic management and personnel to the board, as well as her experience of trusteeship elsewhere.
Sophie Andreae, CBE
architectural historian
Sophie Andreae CBE DSG FSA IHBC is an architectural historian who works to protect and promote historic buildings. Since 2002 she has been Vice Chair of the Patrimony Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Her wider heritage work includes serving as a Trustee of Historic Royal Palaces, as an elected Council Member of the National Trust, and as a member of the Fabric Advisory Committee for St Paul’s Cathedral.
William Salvin, RICS
Surveyor and planning consultant
William Salvin is a chartered surveyor and planning consultant with responsibility for a number of large estates in the region. He is a member of the Patrimony Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and a former member of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s North East committee.
Fr Jim O’Keefe
Honorary President of Ushaw
Jim O’Keefe attended St Cuthbert’s College, Ushaw, from 1959 to 1972 and was ordained in the early 1970s. After serving as a parish priest and school chaplain in Stockton, he returned to Ushaw in 1977 as Director of Pastoral Theology and Communications, later becoming President from 1996 to 2003. He went on to serve parishes across Newcastle, Washington and Birtley, alongside senior roles in Catholic social welfare, including leading Catholic Care North East and helping develop what is now the Catholic Social Action Network (CSAN). He also directed Forward Together in Hope from 2014 to 2017. Fr Jim has given decades of service as a trustee of CAFOD, the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese and the Archbishop Romero Trust. He retired from active ministry in 2024.
"When the Seminary closed in 2011, it took immense courage, fortitude and faith for the College to become immersed in a new vocation. Ushaw had always looked out to the Church and the world, it had trained thousands of priests for their ministry in this country. Now Ushaw began to look out into the world in a different way. It is a remarkable resource, a place of beauty, surrounded by the natural world. It houses treasures and quiet spaces. It hosts varied gatherings and most of all, everyone who comes is made welcome."
