Purcell Partner Jane Kennedy awarded OBE

Partner and former Chair of Purcell, Jane Kennedy has been awarded an OBE - an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in this year’s New Year’s Honours list. The award recognises Jane’s commitment to architecture, conservation and her award-winning work across our practice and beyond.

Jane joined Purcell’s Norwich studio in 1988 to assist Peter Miller on the repairs at Ely Cathedral, and she succeeded him as Surveyor to the Fabric in 1994. She held the post until 2017, overseeing major repairs to the Cathedral including the masonry and roofs and to the great central octagon and lantern. Jane also designed a small extension: the ‘processional way’ between the choir and lady chapel and a new floor for the lady chapel itself: both projects won national awards.

Amongst other appointments, Jane has overseen extensive programmes of repair and remodelling across listed heritage assets, from Stowe House to Ballyfin Demesne. She was the first Foundation Architect to the college and Cathedral of Christ Church, Oxford and was made an honorary Lay Canon in 2018.

Jane is currently leading a large lottery funded programme of work at Newcastle Cathedral. The project is adapting the Cathedral and its adjoining buildings for new flexible forms of worship, cultural events, outreach and tourism.