James Grierson former Icon Chair has been appointed as Chair of the Victorian Society in succession to Professor Hilary Grainger OBE.
The Victorian Society is a charity dedicated to fighting for the preservation of Victorian and Edwardian built heritage and has a statutory role in the planning process. Their expert caseworkers are consulted on all applications where there is an element of demolition of listed Victorian and Edwardian buildings.
James is a Chartered Surveyor with a degree in Land Economy and an MBA. After beginning his career at Knight Frank he moved to Donaldsons, eventually becoming an equity partner and board member responsible for the largest strategic property, development and planning consultancy working across the UK public sector. On the sale of the business to DTZ Plc in 2007 James took responsibility for DTZ’s Corporate Real Estate and Public Sector business. In 2014 James left DTZ to establish his own specialist consultancy advising the Cabinet Office, Savills and various local authority clients.
James has extensive board experience in the NHS, university, central government, museums and commercial sectors. He has served as a non-executive director at the Architects Registration Board and as Chair of the Institute of Conservation (Icon). He concludes his six years as Chair of York Museums Trust as he takes up his appointment with the Victorian Society.
James said:
“It’s an honour to be succeeding Hilary Grainger as Chair of the Victorian Society. I joined the board as an observer at the start of the year and have very much enjoyed getting to know the trustees and members in different parts of the country. Having been a member of the appointment panel for the new Director I am delighted to be working with James Hughes, and excited at the membership and fundraising opportunities opening up with the new NLHF funding"
I love and grew up in Victorian buildings and am passionate about the Victorian Society’s mission.
"Since becoming involved I have been staggered by the depth of knowledge available to the society, not just from professional architectural historians but right across the membership. I am looking forward hugely to supporting such an impressive group of people as we move the Society into the next stage of its vital work.”
About the Victorian Society
The Victorian Society has a statutory role in the planning process. Their expert caseworkers are consulted on all applications where there is an element of demolition of listed Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Our work is largely funded by our members.
Their Conservation Advisers, guided by experts on our Buildings Committees, help local planning authorities and churches to avoid needless harm to or loss of Victorian or Edwardian buildings. The reuse of our wonderful historic buildings, rather than wasteful demolition and rebuild, is key to a sustainable future. Over more than 60 years the Society’s input has saved landmark buildings ranging from St Pancras Station in London to the Albert Dock in Liverpool and Smithfield Market in London. Read the history of the Society here.
