Online Talk: The Future of Heritage: Victoria Baths, Manchester

Victoria Baths is a landmark historic building in Manchester, renowned for its remarkable architecture and former role as a public swimming baths. Today, it is finding new ways to bring the building to life, welcoming visitors and communities while hosting a diverse programme of events and activities. Its ongoing transformation demonstrates how historic buildings can be adapted for contemporary uses while retaining their distinctive character and significance.

Anthony Baker

Anthony is a visionary Chief Executive with a 20-year track record of transforming high-profile cultural and heritage organisations into commercially sustainable, award-winning institutions. His expertise lies at the intersection of large-scale capital delivery and entrepreneurial business modelling.

Anthony specialises in leading organisations through complex transitions – whether revitalizing Grade II* listed heritage sites or brokering international strategic partnerships.

He is committed to social impact and economic regeneration, using cultural assets as a catalyst for regional and national growth.

Anthony is passionate about the power of culture to impact society and is dedicated to developing the creative ecology through international collaboration and local advocacy. Whether it’s judging the Olivier Awards or chairing cultural boards, his focus remains on fostering innovation and sustainable growth in the arts.

Chris Lee

Chris is the Creative and Community Programme Manager at Victoria Baths, where he leads the arts, heritage and community activity that keeps the building busy and useful. His background in performance gives him a strong sense of how people respond to spaces and how to shape experiences that feel genuine. He has spent years helping historic buildings become part of everyday community life, focusing on opening doors, making spaces welcoming and letting people shape what happens inside. At the Baths he turns ideas into experiences that work. Outside work he is a Blackburn Rovers fan and a dad and toddler wrangler.

Heritage Network is a membership organisation full of people who have delivered amazing heritage projects. Their mission is to help support others do the same.

Heritage Network operates throughout the UK supporting community organisations, charities and social enterprises to restore, reuse and manage historic sites for the benefit of their communities.

Tickets are free for HB&P members, with an optional donation, and £5 for non-members.

If you are a Heritage Network member, please purchase a non-member ticket and apply your discount code.

If you are unable to attend the live event, a recording will be made available to all registered attendees after the session.

Refunds are available for cancellations made seven or more business days before the event.