Britsburgh | Who we are

Our Team

Other team members:

Hannah Cranville - Marketing

Robert Charlesworth

Chair & CFO

Robert, pictured here with his lovely wife, Katie, was born in Leeds, England but has spent the last 7 years in Pittsburgh. He loves the fact that Pittsburgh has strong ties with the UK and passionately pursues opportunities for Pittsburgh to prosper from his work for the organization. He is a Director at KPMG, a CPA and FCA. He is a Pittsburgh Steelers and Leeds United fan.

Roger Cranville

Business Development Director

Roger, Past President, has spent over 20 years in Pittsburgh and has, one way or another, been a big contributor to many communities in Pittsburgh. He was recognized by HRH Queen Elizabeth II for his services to Anglo-American relations with the receipt of an OBE. He is the brains behind our organization!

Mark Fern

Director

Mark provides the Britsburgh Team with an artistic flare and a good dose of humour. Apart from his day job at Federal Express, he is also the lead singer of 'The Honeyriders'. He plays regularly during our festival. He leads the Britsburgh Beer Society.

Linda Everhart

Director

Linda, a retired media producer, brings to the table a strong sense of the community and a great wealth of experience. Linda was instrumental in bringing Trinity College Cambridge Choir to Pittsburgh. Without this achievement the Britsburgh festival would not have come to fruition. Linda leads the Britsburgh Literary Society.

Brandon Williams

Director

Brandon is a Product Owner at PNC Bank. He has a finance and project management background as well as a broad range of interests including art, architecture, travel, history, and the performing arts. Brandon leads the Tea Society.

Jane Famili

Director

Jane, owner of Steel Revolution, brings a flare and passion to the board. Whether that be fundraising, extracting excellent prizes for silent auctions, event planning or knocking on doors.

John Sylvester

Director

John, pictured here with his wife, Michele, is a partner at the law firm K&L Gates, LLP. He specializes in insurance coverage litigation, and his practice takes him to London on a regular basis. He has come to enjoy the English culture on his many trips to the UK, and he looks to furthering the business and social connections between Pittsburgh and the UK.

Carlos Kearnes

Director

Carlos, Principal, CTK Global, works with UK universities seeking US partnerships. Many of these include universities in the Pittsburgh region. He lived in Pittsburgh for several years while doing work for the Allegheny Conference and the University of Pittsburgh. In 1999 he became the second American to receive the Freedom of the City of London.

Michael Archer

Director

Michael, Senior Engineer & Program Manager at Rolls-Royce Nuclear Engineering Services, headquartered in Moon, joined our board June , 2017. We are excited to have Michael on the team. Born in Loughborough, England and a lifelong Derby County supporter. Having spent over 36 years in the nuclear industry, Michael will lead the Britsburgh Innovators' Society.

Ron Frank

Director

Ron, Past President, is a life-long Pittsburgh resident who practices corporate and international law in Pittsburgh as a partner in Blank Rome LLP. He has participated in many efforts to promote international business and international cultural exchanges.

Chuck Potter

Treasurer

Chuck is a partner at Tucker Arnesburg LLP. He focuses his practice on federal, state and local taxation. He also advises clients on matters involving energy, natural resources, sports and estates and trusts.

Kim Szczypinski

Director & Secretary

Kim is Study Abroad Coordinator at Duquesne University. A native of Pittsburgh, she has traveled widely. She designed and led a World War I Centenary study tour to England, Belgium and France in 2015 that will repeat this year. She joined the Britsburgh Board in January 2018 and is leading its History Society this year.

Andy Kirkland

Director

Andy is the Artistic Director and co-founder of The New Renaissance Theatre Company. A freelance actor and director, he has worked with and directed productions with many Pittsburgh theatre companies including Britsburgh partner’s Prime Stage Theatre and Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Park. Andy leads our Art Society and works at BNY Mellon.

Charlie Schliebs

Director

A former international M&A lawyer who has been involved in many multinational initiatives in Pittsburgh, Charlie is an investment banker with Stone Pier Capital Advisors. Try to stump Charlie with a question regarding British cars. The only member who ever owned a Welsh car!

In the news

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Sherlock Holmes-style mystery and macaroons to be served at afternoon tea

Pittsburgh, PA, May 13, 2019 - Britsburgh, Pittsburgh’s festival celebrating all things British, centers most of its events in September, but it also promotes ongoing British-themed events, which this year include a series of afternoon teas.

Trib Live - Britsburgh Festival: It’s Pittsburgh with a British twist

Pittsburgh. PA, August 30, 2018 - Robert Charlesworth already knew after last year’s Britsburgh Festival what the theme would be for this year’s celebration of Pittsburgh’s connections to Great Britain.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Britsburgh IV strikes a World War I theme

Pittsburgh, PA, August 27, 2018 - The fourth Britsburgh Festival, celebrating connections between Pittsburgh and Great Britain, is themed to World War I, which ended 100 years ago this November.

Britsburgh Forum

Our Mission

Building bridges across communities by driving growth in British-American culture, history, education, tradition and trade in Pittsburgh.