He is proud that during his tenure the society twice won a European Union Cultural Heritage Prize / Europa Nostra Award - the Oscars of the heritage world.
Having studied economics at university he worked as a journalist on The Times Educational Supplement (latterly as Assistant Editor) before a career change. As well as his work for the SPAB he served for six years on the Expert Panel of the Heritage Lottery Fund, was an elected member of the National Trust Council for 9 years, and remains a member of the Westminster Abbey Fabric Commission. He was also a trustee, executive committee member, and later Vice President of the Historic Churches Preservation Trust (now National Churches Trust) as well as being a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and of the Royal Society of Arts.
He lives in North West Norfolk with his family, but travels widely as a lecturer accredited by The Arts Society.
He is a firm believer in the words of William Morris that "We are only trustees of those that come after us." He is confident that the good work of the HLF will benefit not just people and heritage today but generations to come.