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.
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.
Other Work and Volunteering
Beyond my professional life, I am currently a Trustee of The Arvon Foundation.
For over fifty years Arvon has arguably been the UK’s home of creative writing, with four houses, in Devon, Shropshire, Yorkshire, and a virtual house Arvon at Home. Generations of writers have been inspired by their experience at Arvon, with over 40 of the courses each year being with vulnerable groups and schools. From young people who have experienced bullying, to adults recovering from an addiction, and everything in between. Founded by poets, John Moat and John Fairfax, the charity has grown to become one of the UKs leading creative writing charities. But as with all charities it is through dedicated teams and a helpful and friendly guiding board that they achieve all the do – they rightly believe that writing can change lives for the better, allowing people to their imagination and find their voice.
Within my role on the board of trustees of the Charity I am the chair of the Properties Committee, acting as the lead properties specialist, and overseeing the committee’s duty of helping to guide the executive in their management of their three historic properties and estates, and any capital projects. This can cover anything from bats to boilers, with my committee making sure that all conservation standards / legal requirements are adhered to, along with ecological, environmental, etc.
Alongside my chair of the properties committee, I also sit on the Finance Committee, the Appointments and Remuneration Committee, and a working group for a large capital project to their yorkshire House. As such I have been exposed to all aspects of a charities running and developed a thorough understanding of the guiding role a board of trustees must play, while ensuring the executive can carry out their work unimpeded. I joined the Arvon board as a young trustee, having applied for a Trustee Role expressing the need for boards to have younger representation and have since helped appoint 3 young trustees to the board. This, alongside helping the executive in their successful grant application to ACE for their redevelop of Lumb Bank, one of Yorkshire’s most iconic literary houses and the former home of Ted Hughes. We are one of just 66 cultural organisations across the country to benefit from the award, part of Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme. With the project now in its construction phase.
For over fifty years Arvon has arguably been the UK’s home of creative writing, with four houses, in Devon, Shropshire, Yorkshire, and a virtual house Arvon at Home. Generations of writers have been inspired by their experience at Arvon, with over 40 of the courses each year being with vulnerable groups and schools. From young people who have experienced bullying, to adults recovering from an addiction, and everything in between. Founded by poets, John Moat and John Fairfax, the charity has grown to become one of the UKs leading creative writing charities. But as with all charities it is through dedicated teams and a helpful and friendly guiding board that they achieve all the do – they rightly believe that writing can change lives for the better, allowing people to their imagination and find their voice.
Within my role on the board of trustees of the Charity I am the chair of the Properties Committee, acting as the lead properties specialist, and overseeing the committee’s duty of helping to guide the executive in their management of their three historic properties and estates, and any capital projects. This can cover anything from bats to boilers, with my committee making sure that all conservation standards / legal requirements are adhered to, along with ecological, environmental, etc.
Alongside my chair of the properties committee, I also sit on the Finance Committee, the Appointments and Remuneration Committee, and a working group for a large capital project to their yorkshire House. As such I have been exposed to all aspects of a charities running and developed a thorough understanding of the guiding role a board of trustees must play, while ensuring the executive can carry out their work unimpeded. I joined the Arvon board as a young trustee, having applied for a Trustee Role expressing the need for boards to have younger representation and have since helped appoint 3 young trustees to the board. This, alongside helping the executive in their successful grant application to ACE for their redevelop of Lumb Bank, one of Yorkshire’s most iconic literary houses and the former home of Ted Hughes. We are one of just 66 cultural organisations across the country to benefit from the award, part of Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme. With the project now in its construction phase.
Recent Conferences & Papers:
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-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
