Historic Buildings & Places is delighted to announce the appointment of Sara Robertson as our new Chair of Trustees.
Sara has a long professional involvement in the historic built environment, having worked across a number of roles for the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), Icon, and the National Heritage Lottery Fund. Now working as the Chief Executive of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, she continues to be involved in the heritage sector through a wide range of volunteering positions, including acting as a Guardian on SPAB’s advocacy committee; Chair of the BEFS Places of Worship Forum; Trustee of the National Heritage Science Forum, and Council Member of Europa Nostra and Chair of Europa Nostra UK. She has also previously volunteered as Secretary of both The Chapels Society and Friends of the Georgian Society of Jamaica.
Sara is looking forward to joining with faces old and new to deliver on the society’s new vision and values as we look forward from our centenary anniversary celebrations to the future. She writes:
“HB&P has been through a period of positive transformation and, as a result, its prospects look bright as we turn to the future. I hope to use my extensive advocacy and engagement skills and my experience of good governance to enhance HB&P’s reputation and effectiveness. I look forward to harnessing members’ skills and knowledge to make a positive impact for society, people, and places. I want to thank those trustees who are leaving or have recently left the Board for their incredible work over the years. Leading the society through the challenges of the pandemic and the significant effort of rebranding as Historic Buildings & Places has been a considerable undertaking and I am honoured to have been given the task of building on the excellent achievements of Giles and his colleagues. The Director and the dedicated team at HB&P should also take due credit for successfully navigating these challenges. I look forward to getting to know the team working with them more closely over the coming years.”
Sara’s appointment was formally announced at our 100th AGM meeting at Hallé St Peter’s, Ancoats, Manchester, and she’ll take up her position at our next Trustees meeting on 17th July 2024. Giles Quarme, the departing Chair of Trustees, said:
“HB&P’s current centenary celebrations demonstrate the breadth and depth of its successes in protecting and championing everyday heritage over the years, and I have great pleasure in handing the baton over to Sara to continue this important work into the future. Sara joins with a clear passion and drive for the protection of all facets of our built heritage, and I look forward to seeing her put her fantastic leadership skills to action in working closely with the Board, Liz, and the staff in moving HB&P from strength to strength.”
HB&P Director Liz Power commented:
“It’s fabulous to have Sara join us at this exciting point in time for the society as we celebrate our 100 year anniversary and look to the future. I look forward to working with her and the other trustees in cementing our new mission, vision and values in place and working to secure a sustainable future for historic places and built environments, celebrating everyday heritage in all its richness and diversity.”
For more information, contact Stefanie Turza, Marketing & Communications Officer.
