Building Conservation Professional & Freelance Lecturer / Writer
Over the past 10 years, I have provided specialist conservation expertise and assessments on a wide range of conservation projects in the UK and across Europe.
With Recclesia and Recclesia Stained Glass, I am responsible for conservation assessment outputs, from digital microscopy to material assessment in various forms of heritage fabric, such as insect attack: for example I have inspected beetle attack in timber objects which have ranged from solitary wasps to Death Watch beetle in timber C16 framed structures, through to common furniture beetle in components of the HMS Victory back in 2015.
As a freelance writer and lecturer my work has been regualrly featured in the likes of Period Living magazine (Published by Future) and various specialist conservation/heritage outlets such as ICON and IHBC. Through my academic work I cover building history, conservation, renovation, and architecture – with my main research focus being the significance of Craftsmanship in our historic built environment, along with the notion of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the social philosophy that relates to this. It is in this capacity I regularly provide guest lectures for the likes of The King’s Foundation Building Craft and Building Arts Programmes, and The University of Manchester’s Heritage Studies MA.
In recognition for my work in conservation, I was elected a Fellow of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works – a great honour and testament to my passion and care for the future of the building conservation and crafts.
With Recclesia and Recclesia Stained Glass, I am responsible for conservation assessment outputs, from digital microscopy to material assessment in various forms of heritage fabric, such as insect attack: for example I have inspected beetle attack in timber objects which have ranged from solitary wasps to Death Watch beetle in timber C16 framed structures, through to common furniture beetle in components of the HMS Victory back in 2015.
As a freelance writer and lecturer my work has been regualrly featured in the likes of Period Living magazine (Published by Future) and various specialist conservation/heritage outlets such as ICON and IHBC. Through my academic work I cover building history, conservation, renovation, and architecture – with my main research focus being the significance of Craftsmanship in our historic built environment, along with the notion of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the social philosophy that relates to this. It is in this capacity I regularly provide guest lectures for the likes of The King’s Foundation Building Craft and Building Arts Programmes, and The University of Manchester’s Heritage Studies MA.
In recognition for my work in conservation, I was elected a Fellow of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works – a great honour and testament to my passion and care for the future of the building conservation and crafts.
Co-Founder of Darwin Biological
Throughout my career in building conservation, I have used my interest in biological science when managing the conservation of objects / structures, affected by the likes of beetle attack, while my wife has worked in Science and Biological Supplies her entire career. After growing frustrated with a dearth of quality biological supplies for schools we founded Darwin Biological on the principal of providing the best products and specimens for biological education, along with my wife, we have built the business from the ground up, now including 5 employees. The company is so named in recognition of relative E. B. Ford being the recipient of the Darwin Medal in 1954 for ‘his distinguished contributions to the genetical theory of evolution by natural selection, particularly in natural populations.' An underlying aspect of the company is the belief in education being the key to creating and fostering a better society and environments. I lead the sexing and identification of drosophila cultures, along with engagement / learning partnerships with the likes of the Linnean Society, the CCAP, and the Royal Entomological Society.
On a day-to-day basis I engage in the research and development aspects of the business, ensuring the most up to date advice is given to our school and university clients, including identifying outdated biological practices that the general science supply industry and schools carry out as standard in an unnecessary manner. Beyond this, I am also responsible for our education and partnerships work - an underlying aspect of the founding of Darwin Biological was the belief in education being the key to creating and fostering a better society and environments. As such, since its founding I have looked to engage the likes of the Linnean Society and Royal Entomological Society (RES), along with other learned societies to best capitalise on their work past and present this to schools. Benefiting the future of biological sciences and the understanding of natural history and the history thereof, is vital to our ecosystems and combatting the climate crisis. As part of this I am now exploring the creation of a free practical biological guide, working with the RES and other partners like the CCAP to provide a free guide, to schools across England and Wales, of different practical biology that can be done in the words of the experts in the field.
As a result of my work with Darwin Biological I was elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society in 2022 and have since sat on their Audit committee and engaged with Linnean Learning (their learning programme for schools) and also successfully sought associate membership of The Royal Society of Biology in early 2023. At the start of 2026 I was admitted as a Member of the Royal Society of Biology (MRSB).
On a day-to-day basis I engage in the research and development aspects of the business, ensuring the most up to date advice is given to our school and university clients, including identifying outdated biological practices that the general science supply industry and schools carry out as standard in an unnecessary manner. Beyond this, I am also responsible for our education and partnerships work - an underlying aspect of the founding of Darwin Biological was the belief in education being the key to creating and fostering a better society and environments. As such, since its founding I have looked to engage the likes of the Linnean Society and Royal Entomological Society (RES), along with other learned societies to best capitalise on their work past and present this to schools. Benefiting the future of biological sciences and the understanding of natural history and the history thereof, is vital to our ecosystems and combatting the climate crisis. As part of this I am now exploring the creation of a free practical biological guide, working with the RES and other partners like the CCAP to provide a free guide, to schools across England and Wales, of different practical biology that can be done in the words of the experts in the field.
As a result of my work with Darwin Biological I was elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society in 2022 and have since sat on their Audit committee and engaged with Linnean Learning (their learning programme for schools) and also successfully sought associate membership of The Royal Society of Biology in early 2023. At the start of 2026 I was admitted as a Member of the Royal Society of Biology (MRSB).
Other Work and Volunteering
Alongside my professional practice in building conservation and heritage, I have developed a sustained programme of extra-curricular governance and committee service across the cultural, heritage, and education sectors. Most significantly, I served for eight years (2017–2025) as a Trustee of The Arvon Foundation, one of the UK’s leading creative writing charities. Founded by poets John Fairfax and John Moat, Arvon has, for over fifty years, supported writers at all stages of life through its residential centres in Devon, Shropshire, and Yorkshire, alongside its national digital programme, Arvon at Home. A substantial proportion of its work is delivered with schools and vulnerable groups, reflecting the charity’s core belief that writing can be transformative and life-changing.
During my trusteeship, I was Chair of the Properties Committee, acting as the board’s specialist trustee for Arvon’s historic estate, collections, and capital assets. In this role, I provided strategic oversight and governance guidance to the executive team in relation to three historic properties and their associated estates, ensuring that conservation standards, statutory obligations, ecological responsibilities, and environmental best practice were fully integrated into board-level decision-making. The committee’s remit ranged from long-term conservation strategy and risk management to operational matters - which I often summarised as anything from bats to boilers - balancing heritage responsibilities with financial and organisational sustainability.
In addition to chairing the Properties Committee, I served on Arvon’s Finance Committee and Appointments and Remuneration Committee, giving me a comprehensive understanding of charity governance, fiduciary responsibility, executive oversight, and senior appointments. I also chaired the trustee working group overseeing Arvon’s circa £2 million capital redevelopment of Lumb Bank in Yorkshire, the former home of Ted Hughes and one of the UK’s most significant literary houses. I supported the executive team through the successful Arts Council England capital funding application, part of ACE’s Capital Investment Programme, through which Arvon was one of just 66 cultural organisations nationally to receive support. The project has since entered its construction phase.
I joined the Arvon board as a younger trustee, having applied with a clear interest in strengthening generational representation within charity governance. During my tenure, I contributed to the appointment of three further younger trustees, supporting a more diverse and resilient board structure. Through this experience, I developed a practical understanding of trusteeship: providing appropriate challenge and strategic oversight while enabling the executive team to operate effectively and without undue constraint.
Beyond Arvon, I continue to contribute to governance and sector leadership through committee and advisory roles. I am a member of the Fellowship Committee of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC), supporting the assessment and stewardship of professional standards at an international level, and a member of the Steering Group of the Historic Environment Skills Forum, contributing to cross-sector discussion around skills shortages, training pathways, and the long-term sustainability of the historic environment workforce. I sit on the Finance Committee of the Royal Entomolgocal Society and have served on the Linnean Society's Audit Committee.
Collectively, these roles reflect a sustained commitment to governance, professional service, and sector stewardship. Across charities, professional bodies, and skills forums, my focus is on strengthening organisational resilience, supporting ethical and sustainable practice, and ensuring that cultural, educational, and heritage institutions are well equipped to thrive in the long term.
Recent Conferences & Papers:
Co-Presenter ICON Stained glass group conference 2025, Canterbury: Removed, Remodelled, Relocated: The Movement of Stained Glass from its Original Setting to Places New - Reframing Narratives: Conservation, Relocation and Recontextualisation via the Work of John Hutton and Sir Brian Clarke [Written and Presented with Jamie Moore]
Co-Chair IIC European Virtual Live Hub - IIC 30th Biennial Congress Lima 2024 - Sustainable Solutions in Conservation: New Strategies For New Times
Chair Coatings Session - NHIG 2024 Conference - Tradition & Innovation: The Evolution of Craftsmanship in Ironwork Conservation
Co-Presenter ICON Stained glass group conference 2025, Canterbury: Removed, Remodelled, Relocated: The Movement of Stained Glass from its Original Setting to Places New - Reframing Narratives: Conservation, Relocation and Recontextualisation via the Work of John Hutton and Sir Brian Clarke [Written and Presented with Jamie Moore]
Co-Chair IIC European Virtual Live Hub - IIC 30th Biennial Congress Lima 2024 - Sustainable Solutions in Conservation: New Strategies For New Times
Chair Coatings Session - NHIG 2024 Conference - Tradition & Innovation: The Evolution of Craftsmanship in Ironwork Conservation
