Meet the Guides
Mrs Rosalind Hutchinson
Rosalind Hutchinson is Head Guide at Spencer House and has worked in tourism since 1986. A Director of the London Tourist Board for six years, she trains guides internationally and conducts study programmes for the Smithsonian Institution, American Universities and the New York Times. Ros was awarded the MBE for services to tourism in 1997.
Jenny Mitchell
Jenny Mitchell has been a Blue Badge guide for over 25 years. Having grown up in Chile Jenny is fluent in Spanish. She particularly relishes the social history of the 18th Century, when the House was built, and the constant changes to the collection of art which make it such an exciting venue to guide.
Betty Makin
Betty has led a very cosmopolitan life. Educated in Chile, Argentina, Egypt, Rome and England, her mother was Dutch and her father Chilean. Fluent in Spanish, Italian and French Betty has a BA in Humanities and has lived with her husband and family in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the US and South America.
Carole Hiley
Carole worked in Tourism across Europe and on returning to the UK qualified as a Blue Badge Guide in 1988. Guiding at Spencer House since 1995 Carole also guides in French and Italian, guiding in Parliament and at the All England Club at Wimbledon complements her interests in politics and the 18th Century.
Maurizio Patti
Born in Cortona, Tuscany, Maurizio has degrees in translating, interpreting and foreign languages with a focus on Visual Arts from Trieste, Venice and Siena Universities as well as a fourth degree in Philosophy. Currently an Art Expert for both Tate Galleries, he tutors trainees for the National Gallery and is studying to be a guide for Cambridge.
Hazel Docherty
Speaking Spanish and French, Hazel is a qualified teacher of English as a foreign language and was the Director of the London Guide Training Course for 3 years. A Former Board Member of the institute of Tourist Guiding, she trains the volunteer guides at Salisbury Cathedral and is a Palace of Westminster Guide.
Ingrid Brown
Ingrid, from Hamburg, came to the UK in 1964 and spent 13 years working for the London Bureau of West German Television as the assistant to the TV Correspondent. Ingrid also guides at Waddesdon Manor and is part of the original Spencer House team.
Jennifer Basannavar
Jennifer is delighted to join the Spencer House team of guides and enjoys the privilege of revealing its splendours to visitors. Jennifer was Director for London Blue Badge Guide Training for 6 years to 2015 and works in London’s museums and galleries and the Palace of Westminster. Jennifer also guides in German.
Joanne Bramley
Joanne entered guiding after working for British Airways and was a steward on Concorde for 2 years. A guide trainer and examiner, Jo is a former President of the Institute of Tourist Guiding. Her interests include country houses, gardens and the arts.
Lindsay MacLeod
Lindsay, a guide trainer and part of the original Spencer House team, is a specialist in London Museums and Galleries, particularly the National Portrait Gallery. She enjoys the Spencer House links with European Galleries.
Robin Bramley
After school at Harrow and a degree in English Literature, Robin worked at the Stock Exchange and then in Antiques. He is an authority on and is passionate about trees.
Sheila Tames
Originally trained as a ballet dancer, Sheila has travelled widely. After studying Spanish and French at university, she worked professionally as a dancer internationally. Following 6 years in Japan, Sheila returned to the UK, married and qualified as a London Blue Badge Guide in 1995. She also guides in Spanish and Japanese.
Nick Morrison
A graduate in Music, Nick managed Classical Music ensembles internationally before becoming a London Blue Badge Guide. A Parliament guide for 17 years and a guide at the All England Lawn Tennis Club since 2011, Nick has also worked in Guide training. Literature, history and architecture are among his other passions.
Olivia Du Parc Braham
Olivia has an MA in history from Pembroke College, Cambridge and a post graduate diploma in Education from UCL. She qualified as a South East Guide in 2015 as “Guide of the Year” and in London in 2017. A new member of the Spencer House team she loves communicating her knowledge and fascination of life in the 18thC with visitors.
Muriel Carré
Muriel, from the Loire Valley, is a qualified teacher of English as a foreign language and English literature. After leading a cosmopolitan life in Africa, Japan, Hong Kong and Spain she now works as a London Blue Badge Guide. Having a Master’s Degree in the History of Art and Connoisseurship she considers it a gift to take her visitors round Spencer House’s elegant and spectacular rooms.
Norma Clarke
Born in London, Norma qualified as a Blue Badge Tourist Guide in 2016 and is also an Accredited Guide at Windsor Castle. She worked in tourism in Spain and France and has a passion for travel and culture. For many years she held a senior position in International Advertising and Communications and is professionally trained in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and as an International Business Language.
Tina Gwynne-Evans
Tina qualified as a Blue Badge Guide in 2014. She particularly enjoys guiding in galleries and gardens. Drawing on her experience of working in grant making in the heritage sector, she also has a keen interest in restoration and conservation.
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