Charles Wagner presented with Esher Award

Charles Wagner is the winner of the 2021 Esher Award, which honours his outstanding contribution to building conservation and the work of the SPAB.

Charles has worked tirelessly in heritage and planning for decades. His long connection with the SPAB goes back to 1980, when he was the first engineer to undertake the Scholarship, our annual intensive training scheme previously open only to architects and surveyors. He has served on various SPAB committees and most recently as Co-Chair and then as Vice-Chair of the SPAB until December 2021.

For many years Charles was Head of Planning and Urban Advice at English Heritage. He now runs his own historic buildings consultancy. Charles has held numerous important voluntary positions within the wider heritage sector including: Co-Chair of the Heritage Alliance’s Spatial Planning Group; President of ASCHB; and Trustee of the Mausolea and Monuments Trust.

The Esher Award commemorates the late Viscount Esher who was Chairman of the SPAB from 1932-1960.

Charles says: “I was humbled to be given the Esher Award at the SPAB AGM in December. I finish my term as a Guardian with the SPAB having weathered the pandemic and its teams having successfully reconfigured how to carry out activities, provide events and respond to casework. It is exciting to see two conservation projects on site. I would like to return as a SPAB Guardian, and be involved in the 150^th anniversary celebrations in 2027!”

SPAB Chair Nichola Tasker presented the award at the AGM in December 2021. Credit: Charles Wagner.