Previously I was a Director at The Architectural History Practice, a Historic Buildings Inspector at English Heritage (North West England), a Conservation Officer at Sheffield City Council, a Fieldworker on the National Listing Resurvey in Wiltshire; I began my career as an archaeologist.
I now have over thirty years of experience in heritage conservation and historic buildings advice, with particular expertise in the assessment and analysis of buildings and historic places of all dates.
I am committed to providing clients with independent and impartial advice, to support the viable future of historic buildings, based on a good understanding of what is important. I work collaboratively with other professionals including architects, archaeologists, collections and interiors consultants, landscape architects and planners.
I have experience in heritage-related training. I am currently a tutor on the RIBA Conservation Course for architects, and contribute to Historic England courses.
I have served on Diocese Advisory Committees for Sheffield and Manchester and on the Fabric Advisory Committee for Carlisle Cathedral. I am a full member of the IHBC - a member of the North West Branch Committee and the national Membership & Ethics Committee.
I contributed to the historic buildings section to the North West Research Framework, led by the University of Salford, due to be available online in 2020.
I provide advice on why historic buildings and places are significant, in the form of written reports known as statements of heritage significance or conservation plans.
These documents are used to inform asset management and proposals for changes to historic buildings and places. The earlier in the development process that heritage assets are understood the better, so it is good practice to commission a report before a design or proposal is developed.
Once a scheme is designed, an assessment of heritage impact is usually also required to comply with the planning or LBC process.
All types of historic buildings are covered including churches and chapels, private houses, municipal buildings, mills, warehouses and industrial buildings, country estate buildings and farms.
To provide robust advice entails researching the history of the site and the buildings, and a site assessment. Understanding the setting and the wider context is also important.