Meet the team

Discover the people behind the most innovative heritage company around

It’s Unique people that animate the past and the present.

 

All our Projects, Products and Experiences are thought up by a unique collection of individuals. They beam with dedication, passion, and knowledge, bending it to their will in order to create the things they envision. Hailing from all corners of the globe, spanning many ages, these people give the term artisan a new depth of breath.

Archaeologists, Re-enactors, historians, Environmental scientists, Photographers, Crafters and much more. The skillsets we have access to allow us to create some of the most mind blowing heritage inspired events you can think of.

They are ready, willing and able to dedicate their talents and skills to the creation of your history!

The management

  • Rickard Åkesson

    CEO

    Rickard is a founding member and CEO of Hands on History. He posses more than 20 years of experience with Living History, Environmental Science, Project management, crafts, and outdoor living. He is multi-talented, hard working, and has a passion for clinker built boats. In his spare time you will find him wandering the wild regions of Scandinavia as well as breaking the waves of the Fjords.

  • Niek van Eck

    COO

    Niek has dedicated his life to sharing the beauty of history and show its value to the 21st century. He combines his academic pursuit in archaeology and Medieval History with 12 years of practical museum work, guiding, expedition management, performance, and project development. This has allowed him to developed a creative and interdisciplinary way of teaching, talking and thinking.

  • Rebeca Franco Valle

    Head of Academic Research

    Rebeca has a drive for understanding the past few can equal. Currently she is a PhD at the University of Bergen where she studies Viking Art, only the latest stage in her 12 year spanning Academic careers. Her interests in art and heritage management bolster her skills as a photographer and creative project developer. Through years of experience and dedication she uncovers the composition of history.

The Members

  • Martin Osvold

    H.o.H. Member

    Martin has a background as an actor, clown and storyteller. Having specialized in interactive adventures, his character "Skogspiraten" (The Forest Pirate) is a creator of treasure hunts and a purveyor of puzzles, magic and games. In addition to his years on stage, he has been working in the areas of human services and social work for a decade.

  • June-Marita Hagen.

    H.o.H Member

    June is one of our most accomplished guides, Vikings, and all round fit-girl aficionados on the team. Her willpower is inspirational and her knowledge vast, since she combines her love for animals and workouts with a thorough background in Archaeology.

  • Črtomir Harald Lorenčič

    H.o.H Member

    Črtomir is a heritage communicator, artisan and writer, with an MSc in Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture. He has spent the last 8 years researching, demonstrating and teaching ancient crafts, coordinating international projects, helping museums create powerful stories.

  • Tonje Årolilja Størseth Digre

    H.o.H. Member

    Tonje is a dissemination expert who has studied history, art history, old Norse language, runology and religions studies and have worked in museums for over ten years. Growing up in the countryside she has always been fond of nature and animals.

  • Project Manager

    HEIDI CARINE BRIMI

    Project Manager

    Heidi is a long time producer and archaeologist. With over 25 years of experience with museum work and other cultural institutions, she has extensive theoretical and practical knowledge about the sector. Strategic, interdisciplinary work with process management and development are some of her areas of expertise. She is a creative soul with an eye for detail and a heart for heritage.es here

and… Our vast network of experts

Our true strength is the people we work with, and luckily we have a vast network of very talented people spanning the entire globe. They are too many to mention, but this small collection of unique faces should give you some idea of who we, and perhaps you, are dealing with.