Our latest Minerva lecture set a new attendance record as students gathered to hear from leading heritage specialists Samantha Pace (IHBC, MCIfA) and Dr Nicola Pickering (IHBC, FRHistS, FSA) from HCUK Group.
Titled ‘Life of a Heritage Consultant’, the session offered an eye-opening journey into how history, archaeology, and design intersect in the real world.
Sam and Nicola shared the rich variety of their day-to-day work. From diving into census records, architectural plans and grey literature to travelling the globe for site visits, their work brings history to life. Students were treated to video demonstrations of how consultants map out and sketch ancient ruins to reconstruct what they once looked like, alongside learning how new architecture can be designed to respect pre-existing protected environments.
The speakers also touched on the high stakes side of the profession, acting as expert courtroom witnesses in legal and appeal cases, noting that winning a case to protect heritage is easily one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
As seasoned experts with impressive backgrounds spanning public, private and academic sectors including roles with the National Trust, Historic Royal Palaces and universities like Oxford; Sam and Nicola brought incredible depth to the session.
Before leaving, Sam and Nicola took time to admire the historical details along our own corridor next to reception, with Sam remarking, “There’s heritage everywhere.”
Thank you to both Sam and Nicola for a brilliant session that truly put Heritage Consultancy on the map for Bromley High School!
