Heather Newton

I have a background in fine art, youth work, architectural stonemasonry, carving, conservation and project/site management of small and large-scale heritage conservation projects. I am proud to have been accredited by Icon since 2000. Site management qualifications include Nebosh General Certificate in H&S, and SMSTS. I also have a MSc in Conservation Management and Technology, BA Hons., GDip Conservation and City and Guilds crafts cert. My role at Canterbury Cathedral has involved me in a range of wonderfully diverse activities and previous posts held include Head Conservator-Mason, Head of Stonemasonry and Conservation and, more recently, working with some extraordinarily talented and skilled colleagues as part of the delivery and management team for the £24m NHLF Canterbury Journey project. My interest in teaching and explaining the art, science and craft of conservation has led to extensive experience in public engagement and in September 2020 I was thrilled to be appointed as Head of Historic Carving at City and Guilds London Art School. I currently work part-time for both the Art School and the Cathedral. With colleagues from other cathedrals I became a founder member of the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship, (CWF), a collaboration between ten of England’s cathedrals to deliver enhanced training for crafts and trades-people working in cathedrals and the wider historic buildings sector. I wrote and have led the conservation module of the course and am a member of the management and delivery group (see The CWF Foundation Degree in Applied Historic Building Conservation and Repair https://cwfcathedrals.co.uk/). Committee memberships include Rochester Cathedral’s Fabric Advisory Committee, consultant for Canterbury Diocesan Advisory Committee and the Church Buildings Council’s Sculpture and Furnishings Committee. I am also a member of the SPAB and the IIC.