Meet Some of Our Guardians...

Guardians are SPAB Members who offer their time, expertise and advice to help the charity do the best work it possibly can for old buildings and the people who care for them.  

With applications now open for 2025, we caught up with some of our current Guardians to find out why they first got involved.

Aoife Murphy, SPAB Ireland Committee 

Aoife Murray © Kristian Foster

What’s your area of expertise? 

I'm a chartered structural engineer working exclusively in the conservation of historic buildings in Ireland. I’ve just finished an MSc in Building Conservation at the Weald and Downland Living Museum and applied for my CARE accreditation (Conservation Accreditation Register for Engineers). 

Why did you stand to be a Guardian? 

I wanted to give back to the charity that offered me a wonderful education in conservation as a SPAB Scholar in 2017.

Without the help and guidance received and contacts made during my Scholarship year, I would have found it difficult to get into the industry. The programme helped me gain confidence in my abilities as a structural engineer and enabled me to adapt my experience repairing earthquake damage to conservation. 

What have you found most rewarding about being a Guardian? 

It has been great to see SPAB Ireland get established and become recognised as key player in Irish conservation in such a short time. Being able to contribute to that, and to use my experience, skills and knowledge to give back to the charity, has been really satisfying. 

Lewis Hobbs, Education & Training Committee 

Lewis Hobbs © Stephen Oliver, Oliver Architecture

What’s your area of expertise? 

I’m an architect whose current areas of interest focus on the integration of modern technology in the documentation, representation, communication and repair of heritage assets. I’ve also developed a love of lettering: finely carved, delicately painted, scratched into lead, you name it! 

Why did you stand to be a Guardian? 

The hands-on and immersive year of the Scholarship had a positive impact on my approach to historic building repair and I believe that helping to shape the ways that we engage with others is key to the continued safeguarding of our historic structures. 

What have you found most rewarding about being a Guardian? 

I’m looking forward to bringing a new pair of eyes to the Education & Training side of the SPAB and pushing the conservation message out to new ears. 

Fleur Gordon, Technical & Research Committee 

Fleur Gordon © Fleur Gordon

What’s your area of expertise? 

I’m a conservation accredited building surveyor who has been a conservation officer, contractor and consultant. 

Why did you stand to be a Guardian? 

I’ve been a member of the SPAB for nearly 30 years and wanted to give back to support its work and fly the flag for considered conservation and skills development. 

What have you found most rewarding about being a Guardian? 

I love discussing and taking part in technical and philosophical discussions on the repair and adaptation of old buildings with people who are knowledgeable, passionate and committed. I also relish promoting good building conservation. 

Andrew Coles, Technical & Research Committee 

Andrew Coles © Coles Conservation Architects Ltd.

What’s your area of expertise? 

I am a Specialist Conservation Architect (SCA) accredited with the RIBA. I run a practice based in Cambridgeshire working on historic buildings, predominantly in London and the surrounding areas.   

Why did you stand to be a Guardian? 

Having long been an admirer of the SPAB, I felt compelled to support the organisation and share the technical knowledge and experience I have gained in my career thus far. 

What have you found most rewarding about being a Guardian? 

Joining the Technical & Research Committee has connected me to a multitude of like-minded historic building specialists with a shared passion for nurturing and promoting the SPAB Approach. 

Nic Boyes, SPAB Scotland Committee 

Nic Boyes © Tyler Lott Johnston

What’s your area of expertise?  

I’m an expert in the conservation of historic structures, monuments and statuary. 

Why did you stand to be a Guardian? 

I stood to be a Guardian because I believe that our shared effort is the most effect way to protect ancient buildings. 

What have you found most rewarding about being a Guardian? 

Spreading the good word of conservation to the public through our events and recruiting new Members.

Mildred Cookson, Mills Committee 

Mildred Cookson with millwright John Wallis at Kibworth Harcourt Post Mill © Luke Bonwick

What’s your area of expertise?  

I was a miller for 30 years and am an expert in windmills and watermills.

Why did you stand to be a Guardian?  

I stood to be a Guardian to support and help mills and their owners, and to highlight the importance of training and recruiting new millwrights. 

What have you found most rewarding about being a Guardian?  

Working with skilled craftspeople, supporting and passing on my experience of milling and millwrighting to a younger generation, and being involved with the Millwright Fellowship. 

Martin Hall, Regional Group Chairs Committee 

Martin Hall © Bruce Hammersley

What’s your area of expertise?  

Before I retired, I was a chartered building surveyor working in historic building surveys, repairs and alterations. I also have a postgraduate qualification in the Conservation of Historic Buildings from the University of Bath. 

Why did you stand to be a Guardian?  

As the Chair of the Buckinghamshire, Berkshire & Oxfordshire Regional Group, I was co-opted as a Guardian. I was happy to settle into the role and I am still finding my way! 

What have you found most rewarding about being a Guardian?  

Finding out more of what makes the SPAB tick and helping wherever I can. 

Andy Beardsley, Technical & Research Committee 

What’s your area of expertise? 

I’m an expert in geospatial surveying and consulting. 

Why did you stand to be a Guardian? 

I put myself forward to be a Guardian to bring my experiences and expertise to collaborate and help provide geospatial survey guidance and solutions as part of the wider Technical & Research Committee. 

What have you found most rewarding about being a Guardian? 

The Technical & Research Committee is an amazing group of people. I’ve learned a huge amount from our engaging meetings and our problem-solving discussions regarding a huge variety of requests. 

John Copping, Mills Committee 

What’s your area of expertise?  

I studied the theory of structures and the archaeology of buildings, completed a heritage course at Birmingham, and am an affiliate of the IHBC. 

Why did you stand to be a Guardian?  

I was invited to join the Mills Committee to help it develop its strategy and support the SPAB's declared Mission for the section.   

What have you found most rewarding about being a Guardian? 

Being a Guardian offers useful credentials when working with other heritage bodies of which I'm a member. 

If you’re a SPAB Member, you can now stand to be a 2025 Guardian. Find out more and apply by Monday 5 August, or join us as a Member today.