Context 146 - September 2016

C O N T E X T 1 4 6 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6 55 New member profile Heather Marshall has been elected a full member of the IHBC. Like many people I have an accidental career. I did not set out to be a heritage specialist, but thankfully my interests and choices have led me into a career that I find interesting and rewarding. Art was a passion of mine when I was younger which I pursued as an undergraduate studying history of art in London. I specialised in architectural history and visited the works of Inigo Jones, Burlington, Nash andWren. On finishing my studies I needed to get a job, any job, to pay my way in London, hence becoming an insurance broker in the City.While it was a pleasure to make daily visits to the Grade I listed Lloyds Building, and wander around Leadenhall market, insurance was definitely not where my heart lay, although London, and cities more generally, was. I decided to study the sustainable development of cities with the Open University. This was the stepping stone I needed to secure a job at the Prince’s Foundation which really set me on my career path. The Prince’s Foundation was an amazing place to work, where I was immersed in classical architecture, urbanism and collaborative design, and worked with knowledgeable and inspirational colleagues. As is often the case, a key person can change your path. There, my director allowed me day release to progress my studies on the condition that I gained a relevant professional qualification. His support and guidance led me to qualify in town planning, specialising in urban design. This gave me the qualifications necessary to join Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners 11 years ago. At that time town planners tended to be generalists, although my focus always was on urban design and heritage. Over time NLP has developed a number of specialist teams. I now focus on heritage planning within a specialist heritage team. While applying for full membership of the IHBC was at first a daunting task, it has enabled me to take stock and realise the exciting and high- profile projects I have worked on. A few career highlights are my current work at Goldfinger’s Grade II* listed Trellick Tower and securing a new use for Sir Owen Williams’ Grade II listed aircraft hangar at Heathrow. I also enjoy working on new buildings within historic contexts. Níall McLaughlin’s chapel at Ripon College is another highlight, showing how the best of today’s architecture can be a heritage asset for the future. Perhaps one day things might turn full circle and I may be lucky enough to advise on Richard Rogers’ Lloyds Building. Revisiting the building through a career that I feel passionate about would be a joy. Full membership means that I now have professional recognition of my planning and heritage knowledge, which is increasingly required by clients and respected by co-professionals. However, what makes heritage work so interesting is the varied skills and breadth of knowledge required to work across buildings of all ages and types. I am looking forward to continuing support from the IHBC towards enhancing my specialist knowledge, while also knowing how and when to seek other specialist input. Ernö Goldfinger’s Grade II* listed Trellick Tower in Kensal Green, London Bishop Edward King Chapel, designed by Níall McLaughlin