Thanking Our Leaders: Past and Present

In May 2021, Purcell became an employee-owned business run through an Employee-ownership Trust. With studios across the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Australia, the decision to become employee-owned recognises our multidisciplinary team who have been instrumental to our growth, and is a commitment to the next phase in our business’s development.

This development has been built by years of phenomenal team members, including our leaders throughout our history who have shaped Purcell’s culture into the successful practice we are today. In light of our new journey, here we thank the individuals who have defined our ethos, culture and led to our success.

Donovan founded the practice in the 1940s, and was appointed as Surveyor to the Fabric of Ely Cathedral in 1960.

Taking Donovan’s ethos for excellent conservation architecture across the world, Purcell is now ranked 15th in the AJ 100.

Corinne was the first female Cathedral Architect when appointed to work on Winchester Cathedral. While working for the National Trust, Corinne worked at Mompesson House in Salisbury, Mottistone Manor, Lacock Abbey and Mottisfont Abbey in addition to other esteemed buildings. For her outstanding work Corinne received an MBE, Excellent in 1988, and for her work within the Roman Catholic Churches she was made Dame of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

A previous chairman of Purcell, Michael has worked across numerous National Trust Houses, The National Gallery and The British Museum. He established Purcell’s Hong Kong office and is an Associate Professor at Hong Kong University. Michael has been a member of the National Trust’s Architectural Panel, and is a Trustee of the Greenwich Foundation and a Commissioner for English Heritage.

He is also the UK representative on the ICOMOS International Polar Heritage Committee, and has assisted the Antarctic Heritage Trust.

As the Surveyor of the Fabric at Canterbury Cathedral (1990-2014) and of the Fabric of Westminster Abbey (1999-2013), John’s outstanding achievements were recognised in 2013 when he was awarded an MBE for Services to the Conservation of Historic Architecture.

He has given his time generously and extensively to the study and craft of masonry through the Mason's Company and the Craft Colleges.

Jane became Surveyor to Ely Cathedral’s fabric in 1994, and held the post until 2017, winning numerous national awards. Jane has overseen extensive programmes of repair and remodelling across listed heritage assets, from Stowe House to Ballyfin Demesne and Newcastle Cathedral. She was the first Foundation Architect to the College and Cathedral of Christ Church, University of Oxford, and was made an honorary Lay Canon in 2018.

Jane was previously Chair of Purcell, and in 2020, received an OBE, an Officer of the Order of the British Empire Award for her outstanding work.

As the Technical and Conservation Advisor for the practice, Jamie has led our Conservation School, educating and inspiring our technical teams on best practice. From working on Manchester Town Hall, St Fagan’s Museum of Welsh Life, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Florence Institute, and Kirkstall Abbey, Jamie has delivered outstanding projects nationwide, and is an advisor to both the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage.

As both Chairman of Purcell for the past five years and a working architect, Andrew has recently written the Constitution for the Practice’s transition to an employee owned business. During the last 35 years he has advised a wide range of clients including the National Trust, the Royal Collection Trust, the Ministry of Justice, the Parliamentary Estate, Battersea Power Station, numerous local authorities, several commercial developers, various museums and private clients developing their houses and estates. Most of this work has involved facilitating change to buildings and landscapes of great value.

During the last five years he has also advised a practice of Project Managers and Development Agents looking at property both in the UK and abroad.

As Purcell’s Chief Operations Officer for 25 years, Mark has been instrumental to Purcell’s success and evolution, having opened numerous studios across the United Kingdom and Asia Pacific. He applies a great degree of commitment to Purcell and its people, not only as Chief Executive, but to his work as an Architect, overseeing the successful delivery of Purcell’s most prestigious projects, from Liverpool’s St George’s Hall to Tai Kwun Centre for Arts in Hong Kong.

Tracey is Regional Partner for Purcell’s Asia Pacific studios, and a member of Purcell’s Board. Tracey led the Colchester studio before moving to Australia to lead Purcell’s development across Asia Pacific.

As Regional Partner, Tracey has been instrumental to Purcell’s growth, having opened three studios in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart while working on complex projects such as Tai Kwun in Hong Kong.

As Purcell’s Design Partner, Alasdair has brought his vast expertise in designing complex building programmes in sensitive environments to the practice.

He has been instrumental in delivering award-winning projects, including the National Maritime Museum, the new Graduate Centre at St Catherine’s College, University of Oxford, and numerous masterplanning projects; from transforming Tamworth Town Centre to Burghley House.

As Head of Architecture and Regional Partner Liz leads Purcell’s London and South East studios and has worked across numerous esteemed buildings from the National Maritime Museum and St Paul’s Cathedral, to the Royal Palaces Collection. Helping to usher in a new generation of conservation designers, Liz established the Purcell Conservation School for students and recently qualified Architects. As an outstanding Conservation Architect herself, Liz co-presents Channel 4's TV series Phil Spencer's Stately Homes.

Liz took the role of chair of the main board in May 2021.