Secretary General

• Feb 2023 - Present

Member

• Aug 2013 - Present

Policy Manager

• Feb 2020 - Jan 2023

As Policy Manager, I play a key role in delivering a successful strategy and policy development function for cultural heritage nationally. I'm responsible for monitoring and advising on the implications of external policy, legislative and other relevant developments; identifying and promoting innovative approaches to policy development, especially applying Futures and participatory tools.In particular:• Creating and implementing Futures Thinking and service design approaches to policy development for cultural heritage, focusing on Climate Change, Net Zero, Community Wealth Building, Economic Resilience, Equalities, etc.• Improving existing and developing new strategy and policy frameworks, especially around emergency responses for cultural heritage properties. I coordinated the delivery of the new HES Corporate Plan, and currently leading on a new national heritage sector strategy.• Developed a strategic roadmap for and established a cross-organisational Policy Network. Established a Virtual Intelligence Hub, as a central repository to gather and share the latest intel, and provide effective advice.• Developing innovative participatory approaches to strategy and policy development, working with communities and young people through the #HistoricScot Youth Forum project.• Invited speaker at international conferences: ”Solidarity in Culture: Heritage Protection Under Conditions of Crisis” in Zagreb (2021); University of Valladolid International Workshop on Sustainable Tourism (2021); British Council/ICCROM Culture.Climate.Peace Conference (2022).• Currently in charge of the management of a Future-orientated strategy at HES. Delivered training in Futures Thinking/scenario planning to Senior Management Team and Board.• Working on a Responsible Tourism framework for HES. Successfully delivered HES Responsible Tourism programme for COP26, including an international Summit using my international networks. Show less

Policy Review Manager

• Aug 2019 - Feb 2020

Responsible for prioritising and coordinating the review of cultural heritage management policies and guidance at national level, ensuring that the guidance is accessible and inclusive for all.• Coordination of research, development and publication of brand new Managing Change Guidance Notes for cultural heritage (on Climate Change, Assessing Significance and Accessibility) and the review of 10 existing guidance notes on Archaeology and Planning, Scheduled Monuments, Conservation Areas and Alterations to Listed Buildings.• Coordination of discussions within HES, and externally with the heritage sector, the public and communities regarding development of a system for Local Heritage Recognition. Developed 'Talking About Heritage', HES's follow-up guidance to 'What's Your Heritage', working across directorates, sector partners and with communities.• Established, coordinated, facilitated and chaired a new internal Policy Forum and a new external Policy Forum with over 50 external stakeholders, and organised formal public consultations for the policy review using Citizen Space. The external Policy Forum operated both as pool of expertise to steer the decision-making process during this policy review, and as a hub to develop skills and capacity. Involved young people and other under-represented groups in the Policy Forum, engaging them in formal policy conversations, for the first time at HES.• Set up a monitoring system and KPIs to measure the impact of heritage policy (HEPS), by aligning corporate, national and international frameworks. Assessed measurable benefits and the contribution of the historic environment across different sectors and across communities.• Member of the national Climate Change Working Group on cultural heritage. Produced the 'Edinburgh Adapts Guide to Building Maintenance in a Changing Climate' working alongside the HES Climate Change Team.• Member of HES Equality and Diversity Working Group, delivering the Equality Action Plan. Show less

Project Manager

• Oct 2014 - Aug 2019

Responsible for the development, delivery and management of Scotland’s Urban Past (SUP), a nationwide community engagement programme on Scottish cultural heritage.- I led a specialist team of 10 staff and coordinated the work of over 60 volunteers all around Scotland. I was responsible for setting and reviewing objectives, managing performance and attendance, and motivating and supporting my team.- I managed the resources and £2.1m budget required to deliver the activities. I was responsible for financial reporting, profiling and forecasting expenditure.- I successfully delivered 60 community heritage projects and over 500 events, involving over 10,300 people. I established partnerships with new audiences for HES, including under-represented groups such as BAMEs, refugees and people with disabilities, and exceeded three times the originally targets set out.- I was responsible for liaising with external stakeholders and creating new partnerships with creative practitioners, local authorities and Third Sector Interface to deliver heritage activities, share lessons learnt and ensure sustainable programme legacy.- I successfully delivered a legacy programme including a nationwide interactive, travelling exhibition and a publication.- Responsible for the promotion and dissemination of programme outcomes, through different media (including a dedicated 8-min TV programme and radio programmes), publications, lectures, events and multi-stakeholder collaborations, including delivery of international papers at heritage conferences in Dresden and Copenhagen.- Responsible for setting indicators, monitoring progress, analysing data and benefits, briefing and reporting to Project Board, Advisory Board, National Lottery Heritage Fund and other external bodies.- Member of HES ‘What’s Your Heritage’ Working Group. Show less

UNESCO Consultant

• Aug 2013 - Sep 2019

- I was an expert advisor and lecturer at the yearly UNESCO School in South-East Europe on ‘Sustainable Energy Governance in World Heritage Sites’ in Venice, Dubrovnik and Ferrara. - I delivered training to international professionals in participatory governance and sustainable management of UNESCO World Heritage sites, working with tourism experts, economists, analysts and local authorities. The main outcome of this training was for World Heritage sites to adopt my advice and embed sustainable and participatory management practice and principles in their Management Plans. - I collaborated on multidisciplinary European projects working with international partners, and published books and articles on sustainable governance in heritage contexts, including a chapter on drafting participatory World Heritage Sites Management Plans in 'The Future of Tourism' (Springer, 2019). Show less

World Heritage Site Energy Efficiency Manager

• Jan 2010 - Oct 2014

Responsible for establishing and leading a new Climate department with Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH); wrote business case for new work streams, created new partnerships, compiled funding application and won over £305,000 Government funding for programme activities and new positions.- Responsible for the sustainable management of the Edinburgh's Old and New Towns World Heritage Site, developing Management Plan, Action Plan, Monitoring System and UNESCO Periodic Reporting. Developed climate change sections in Management Plan 2011-16; established and chaired a World Heritage Site Climate Change Working Group.- Advisor for the URBELAC programme (Inter-American Development Bank and the European Commission). Knowledge sharing with World Heritage Cities from Latin America, Caribbean and Europe.- Responsible for initiating and managing all community-led regeneration and sustainability projects within EWH. Running c. 10 projects at any given time, such as:• Canongate Housing Energy Project £1m – Partnership brokering; project management and overall coordinator of conservation plan, energy assessment and investment plan.• Acheson House Garden £25,000 and Trinity Apse £32,000 – Management of two community-led regeneration projects and stakeholder workshops for co-design; Orchard Scheme Awarded.• Community Mapping of cultural heritage and exhibition £10,000.- Recruitment, management and support of team and community volunteers; financial management, prioritising spending, monitoring progress and reporting. Successful fundraising from multiple sources, nationally and internationally.- Organisation representative on strategic groups at international and city levels, such as ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Energy and Sustainability.- Successful promotion of projects through national and international media (BBC TV interview reaching 1m people), dedicated webpage, social media and events.- City representative, rapporteur and speaker. Show less

World Heritage Site Project Manager (Interim)

• Oct 2009 - Dec 2009

- Assessment, prioritisation, development, management and delivery of all Edinburgh World Heritage-led regeneration projects, including:• Twelve Monuments Programme £1.2m• Scotsman Steps £304,000• Coinyie House Close Community Regeneration £48,600- Delivered a fundraising strategy; reported to Heritage Lottery and private donors.- Successful delivery of projects, leading to repeat business with public clients and community groups.Awards- Scotsman Steps: RIAS Award, Civic Trust Award & Scottish Design Award.- Coinyie House Close community garden regeneration: Scottish Civic Trust Nominated. Show less

Architectural Assistant - Secondment

• Mar 2013 - Feb 2014

- Assisted Senior Architects with major building conservation projects, including: • George IV Bridge Library £1.8m – conservation surveys, procurement research, contract work, specifications and design. • McEwan Hall £16m – conservation surveys, procurement research, quality assurance, conservation advice and specifications. • Usher Hall £21 – inspections during defects liability period. - Carried out research on architectural history and technical surveys of historic structures and buildings. - Advised on best practice in conservation, traditional skills and energy efficiency. - Assisted with procurement advice, site inspections, technical specifications and contract administration. Show less

Student Placement at the Urban Planning Department

• May 2008 - Jun 2008

Tutor for Erasmus and International Exchange Programmes

• Sep 2007 - Jan 2008