A world renowned fossil hunter and dinosaur expert has been appointed as the first ambassador of the Etches Museum in Kimmeridge in Dorset – 15 years after founder Steve Etches inspired the start of his career.
Dean Lomax, a palaeontologist, author, and television presenter, will work closely with the museum to promote its world famous fossil collection and support its long term future as it looks to expand.
The skull of Kimmeridge’s Sea Rex pliosaur has hugely raised the profile of the Etches Collection
New found fame due to Sea Rex
As ambassador, Dean Lomax will help raise awareness of the museum through public appearances, outreach events, and on social media, helping to introduce the collection to new audiences both in the UK and internationally.
The Etches Collection shot to fame after Philip Jacobs discovered the fossilised snout of a sea monster on Kimmeridge beach, which turned out to be part of a huge pliosaur, which has since been nicknamed the Sea Rex.
Museum founder Steve Etches led a team to excavate the rest of its skull from halfway up a cliff, filmed by the BBC for a documentary narrated by David Attenborough and screened on New Year’s Day 2024.
The discovery drew worldwide attention as the most complete and best preserved skull of an apex predator which could stalk its prey in the darkest waters just by using sensors on its skin, and ate everything that it came across.
Dean Lomax appears on Dinosaur With Stephen Fry among other TV shows
Ideal candidate to raise profile
Now the museum plans to dig out the rest of the monster’s 10 metre long skeleton from the cliff, funded by public subscription.
Once that is done, the plan is to build a new £8 million wing of the Etches Collection with help from the National Lottery heritage fund to house what could be the world’s only complete pliosaur skeleton.
Dean Lomax, who regularly appears on television as an expert and presenter, featuring on ITV’s acclaimed Dinosaur Britain, and Dinosaur with Stephen Fry among others, is thought to be the ideal candidate to raise the museum’s profile as it grows in stature.
Steve Etches and Dean Lomax have been close friends for the past 15 years
“A wealth of experience”
Steve Etches said:
“As a long time friend of Dean for almost 15 years, I know that he brings a wealth of experience in academia, writing and outreach.
“As a passionate young palaeontologist, Dean will help carry our values and dedication to education to a much wider audience through his many media appearances and his large social media following.
“We hope to have Dean alongside us at some of our outreach events, such as the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival, where he will be on hand to discuss everything we are trying to achieve.
“He will also be making many cameos on our social media pages and continue to promote the museum where possible.
“We greatly value Dean’s support in promoting our museum and collection, and look forward to working with him for many years to come.”
Steve Etches and James Benamor with Big Sara the allosaurus at The Etches Museum
“I was blown away by the fossils”
Dean Lomax said:
“I remember meeting Steve for the first time in 2011. He was kind and generous with his time and was incredibly supportive of my early career.
“I even visited Steve’s great collection at his home, before it was the wonderful museum we see today. Back then, I was blown away by the incredible fossils and Steve’s story.
“Over the years, Steve and I have kept in touch and formed a great friendship. It is an honour to help promote the museum and I hope that my affiliation will continue to encourage people to visit this incredible place.
“I also like to think that my journey, as someone from a poor background who is self taught and who didn’t even pass his A levels, will hopefully inspire others to pursue their dreams.”
The Etches Collection has the biggest display of Kimmeridgean reptile fossils in the world
Sold Star Wars collection to fund studies
Dean added:
“I was one of those children who absolutely loved dinosaurs, the annoying kid telling everybody dinosaur facts and correcting them on their pronunciations – I actually still do this!
“See, I’ve always known what I wanted to do, but figuring out how to get there was the hardest of all, especially having been told on multiple occasions that I would never become a palaeontologist, that I simply wasn’t good enough.
“In school, I was really rubbish academically and due to my poor GCSE grades I was not allowed to do A-level science, which I needed for university.
“I completed a short course on fossils at the Open University, which my Nan kindly paid for, and to keep my dreams alive, I worked several jobs that I didn’t like and had to make numerous sacrifices to make ends meet, even selling my cherished Star Wars collection.
“After raising enough funds, at the age of 18 I travelled to the USA to hunt for dinosaurs as part of a four month trip working with palaeontologists at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. That trip helped me to realise my future goals – in short, it changed my life.”
It is hoped that Dean will appear at a number of events with the Etches Museum during his time as ambassador
One of world’s leading experts
On returning to Britain, Dean made a chance discovery of an ichthyosaur fossil, which became the focus of his first scientific paper and launched his academic career.
He has since gone on to become one of the world’s leading experts on ichthyosaurs, the marine reptiles resembling dolphins which dominated Jurassic seas.
His work has included describing several new species, naming one after Dorset fossil pioneer Mary Anning, identifying an ichthyosaur preserved with eight unborn young and contributing to the discovery of giant ichthyosaurs from the UK.
In 2021, he led the excavation of the famous Rutland Sea Dragon, the most complete skeleton of a large prehistoric marine reptile ever discovered in Britain.
Plans are under way for the Big Jurassic Birthday Bash to celebrate 10 years of the museum
Big Jurassic Birthday Bash
The announcement of the Etches Collection’s new ambassador coincides with its 10th anniversary, which will be celebrated in August 2026 with the Big Jurassic Birthday Bash.
The event, on Saturday 22nd August 2026, is also a celebration of Kimmeridge, and the museum will partner with both Kimmeridge Wild Seas Centre to celebrate its 25th anniversary and also Clavells restaurant to provide local food.
Etches Collection spokesperson Carla Crook said:
“Our Destination Kimmeridge event is about much more than fossils, it’s a celebration of Kimmeridge village, Kimmeridge Bay, and the wonderful community that makes this part of Dorset so special.
“From world famous fossils and coastal conservation to local food and hands on activities, our birthday bash will bring together everything that makes Kimmeridge truly unforgettable.
“We hope lots of people will join us for a day of Jurassic coast fun, with face painting, workshops, guided walks, history and bay tours, book signings and more!”
Further information
- Experience Jurassic Coast adventures at the Etches Museum website
