For our 2024 Annual Lecture we look forward to welcoming our guest speaker Duncan Wilson, CEO of Historic England, who will be presenting ‘The Role of the Past in Creating the Future’.
Duncan’s insightful talk will explore how our heritage shapes the future, using the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings in Shropshire as a key case study. Duncan will discuss the significant role of Historic England, including its engagement with the National Amenity Societies, in fostering economic growth, regeneration, and clean energy initiatives. He will also highlight how heritage supports community cohesion, wellbeing, and breaks down barriers to opportunity.
The Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, a landmark of industrial heritage, serves as a prime example of how preserving the past can drive positive change and build a sustainable future. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the intersection of history, heritage, and future development.
We will be hosting our annual lecture at the Alan Baxter Gallery or online.
Duncan Wilson joined Historic England as the organisation’s first Chief Executive on 1st April 2015.
Historic England is a public body which improves people’s lives by protecting and championing the historic environment.
Previously, Duncan was Chief Executive of the Alexandra Park and Palace Trust, developing a major regeneration and conservation scheme to restore the Victorian theatre and television studios. He has also been Chief Executive at the Greenwich Foundation for the Old Royal Naval College, maintaining one of Europe’s finest groups of baroque buildings, and the Somerset House Trust, opening the site to the public.
Duncan’s first job as a chartered accountant in 1987 was as Senior Management Accountant at English Heritage. Before accountancy he worked as a professional archaeologist in Oxford and Herefordshire, following post graduate research in European Archaeology.
He is a Trustee of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and the Greenwich Foundation.
He became a RIBA Honorary Fellow in 2022 and was awarded the CBE for services to heritage in 2023.
In addition to the lecture, we will be congratulating the winner of the 2024 Stephen Croad Prize and will invite them to speak about their winning essay.
The Annual Lecture can be attended either in person at the Alan Baxter Gallery or online only.
If attending in person, the entrance to The Gallery is at the far end of the courtyard at 77 Cowcross Street. We’ll be starting at 6pm with a wine reception. Online attendees will join at 7pm.
Tickets: Members: £7 online / £11 in person
Non-members: £10 online / £15 in person
Cancellation policy: Refunds can be provided for cancellations 7 or more business days prior to the event.
