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Dunfermline is the venue for the heritage networking event of the year

Sunday 29th September – Tuesday 1st October

Sorry, Conference 24 is now SOLD OUT, watch this space for news of Conference 25 in Bradford, City of Culture.

Heritage Trust Network is bringing its conference to Scotland in 2024. Conference is always the highlight of the year; a fun and friendly mix of inspirational speakers, lively discussions and fascinating tours and visits to historic sites and community projects.

Dunfermline has been chosen as the venue because of its fascinating mix of historic sites and the way local organisations are working together to make the most of its heritage assets following the granting of city status in 2022. The incredible philanthropic legacy of Andrew Carnegie is woven through the city’s cultural infrastructure. Network member, Fife Historic Buildings Trust, has recently been granted three-years of funding to help it develop restoration and re-use projects in Dunfermline.

Access:

We are working to make this conference as accessible as possible. Details of venue access arrangements can be found by clicking the button below.

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Programme

Programme

Speakers

Derek BottomA head and shoulder shot of a man against a blue background

Chairperson of Dunfermline Heritage Partnership

After a successful career across multiple disciplines in financial services, Derek became more involved in community activities following his retirement.
In 2013, he took up the role of Chairperson for Dunfermline Area Local Community Planning Partnership, which he held until 2020. He is currently Chairperson of Dunfermline Heritage Partnership.

David CookA man in a hard hat and hi vis jacket

Chief Executive of Glasgow Building Preservation Trust

Over his career, David has led cultural/heritage organisations and social enterprises, and developed numerous capital projects, from small community facilities of £100k up to complex multi-million refurbishments of historic buildings. He has served on the board of many other charities and social enterprise, and on panels distributing grants and loans to other social enterprises.  David is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and a previous winner of the EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year Scotland award.  

Councillor James CalderA man in a dark suit and orange tie against a dark background

Convener of the City of Dunfermline Area Committee of Fife Council

Since taking on the role of Convener in 2022, James has focused on developing Dunfermline’s status as Scotland’s newest city. James has been a Scottish Liberal Democrat councillor representing the Dunfermline South Ward since 2017 and is a trustee of Carnegie Dunfermline & Hero Fund Trusts. He holds degrees from both Aberystwyth and Glasgow Universities. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time in nature.

Caroline ClarkA fair haired woman in a dark top against a light background

Director for Scotland, National Lottery Heritage Fund

Caroline is a creative and dynamic leader, focused on supporting positive change for people and places and bringing many years of experience in heritage-led regeneration and placemaking. She is interested in innovation and cross-sector working, with recent areas of focus including green finance and natural capital. She sits on the Our Past Our Future National Strategy Steering Group, Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund Performance Board and the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund Performance Board.

Jeremy FennA man wearing a shirt with a blue pattern in a garden

Interim Head of Investment, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Midlands and East

Jeremy is the Chair of Heritage Trust Network and has been a trustee since 2016. In his day job at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, he has enabled heritage projects of all shapes and sizes for over 25 years, bringing huge benefits to people and places. He is based in Nottingham in the Fund’s Midlands and East of England area.

Louise HutchisonA dark haired woman wearing glasses and a black top in a garden

Operations Manager, Abbot House

Louise grew up in Dunfermline and continues to live there with her family. She has been involved in the Abbot House renovation project for over six years, initially redesigning the operational spaces by respecting the old but embracing the new, then taking over the operational reigns to ensure the house could be self-sustaining. Louise’s role involves spinning a great many plates but she is honoured to be a custodian of such a special building and creating a venue that can be enjoyed by so many.

Natasha Huq

A dark haired woman wearing a black top against a light background

Architect and Senior Associate, Groves Raines Architects Studios

Natasha is a co-founder of the design talks series ‘Talks at the Lane’. She has over ten years’ experience specialising in conservation, community engagement
and the creative and sustainable re-use of existing buildings. Outside architectural practice, she facilitates design discourse through her roles as cultural events programmer, mentor and broadcaster. She has co-presented Grand Designs: The Streets and House of the Year for Channel 4.

 

Matthew Mckeague

Chief Executive, Architectural Heritage Fund

Since joining in October 2017, Matthew has led the expansion of the AHF in developing and delivering its vision to support community and social enterprises to adapt and reuse historic buildings for the benefit of communities. This included the delivery of the £15.4m Transforming Places through Heritage programme and the launch of the £7m Heritage Impact Fund. Matthew is a member of National Trust’s Historic Environment Expert Advisory Panel and previously, Director of Regeneration for the Churches Conservation Trust.

Duncan MitchellA man wearing a dark suit in front of a stone building

Chief Executive, Fife Employment Trust

Since his appointment over 15 years ago, Duncan has led the charity’s service delivery growth. The Trust won multiple awards and accolades for its excellence in service delivery to young people and adults experiencing severe mental health issues. Leaving school in the 1990s with few qualifications and becoming a youth trainee in administration, no one, including Duncan, thought he’d get involved in such a diverse, challenging, wide-ranging and instrumental role in
the third sector and the world of heritage

Angus RobertsonA man wearing a dark suit standing in front of a saltire flag

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

After a distinguished career in international journalism, Angus worked in the Scottish Parliament as an expert advisor before being elected to the House of Commons in June 2001 as an SNP MP where he served for 16 years. In 2007, he became the party’s leader in the House of Commons and was elected to the Scottish Parliament in May 2021 to represent Edinburgh Central. He was appointed to his current Cabinet position in 2021 and reappointed in 2024.

Heather StuartA dark haired woman wearing a turquoise top against a dark background

Chief Executive Officer, Fife Cultural Trust (OnFife)

Heather has worked in community development and regeneration, European and international affairs, culture, and leisure. Roles have included Director of Regeneration at Communities Scotland, Head of Cultural and Community Services at Perth and Kinross Council, and advising Scottish Government ministers on issues including local government, public service reform, regeneration, social inclusion, and arts and cultural policy. She has worked in arts and culture for over 15 years.

Gillian TaylorA brown haired woman in a red top with a flower pattern sitting at a desk. There are book shelves in the background

Chief Executive Officer, Carnegie Dunfermline and Hero Trust Fund

Gillian joined the Trust in June 2020 following a varied career in local government and running her own business ventures. She is passionate about carrying on Andrew Carnegie’s legacy to bring ‘sweetness and light’ to his hometown of Dunfermline. Gillian joined the Trust from Fife Council where she worked as the Area Manager for Dunfermline. In her spare time, she enjoys going back to nature on her family farm just north of Dunfermline.

David Tittleman in jacket in front of building

Chief Executive, Heritage Trust Network

Qualified in business, marketing and urban design, David has spent over 20 years leading teams and organisations dedicated to improving the quality of places, spaces and buildings. He has participated in three different heritage trusts in Coventry and the Black Country as a trustee, volunteer and manager. Previously he managed design review and other services for Design South East and before that he was Chief Executive of MADE, the built environment centre for the West Midlands.

Alison Turnbull

Director of External Relationships and Partnerships, Historic Environment Scotland

Alison’s role ensures that HES takes a consistent approach when engaging with other organisations and connecting with HES and sector priorities. She
oversees and supports the delivery of a number of corporate strategies, corporate governance, grants, community engagement, and managing several strategic relationships. She is a former Deputy Chair of Hearts & Minds and is currently a Director for Scotland’s Towns Partnership.

Fatima UygunA fair haired woman in a dark top

Chief Executive Officer, Govanhill Baths Community Trust

Fatima Uygun is a community, heritage and anti racist activist living in the southside of Glasgow. She has been involved in the campaign to save Govanhill Baths since its occupation in 2001 and is currently the CEO of Govanhill Baths Community Trust.

Delegate list

Delegate list

Accommodation:

Hotel accomodation in Dunfermline is limited. We strongly recommend booking early. There are two city centre hotels; City Hotel and the Guildhall & Linen Exchange (Wetherspoons). Garvock House and Pitbauchlie House are slightly further out. The budget chains Holiday Inn Express, Travelodge and Premier Inn operate hotels on the edge of the city near the M90 motorway. We will be exploring whether coach transport or a taxi-sharing arrangement can be organised from those hotels.
The link below from Fife Council provides preferential rates at Garvock, Pitbauchlie and other hotels as well as information about restaurants and other attractions. Why not come early and enjoy a long weekend in Dunfermline and Fife before getting stuck into Conference?

Hotels and local info

Sponsorship, Advertising & Exhibiting Opportunities:

Heritage Trust Network Conference is a unique opportunity for heritage businesses to connect with leaders of community heritage organisations carrying out restoration projects and managing sites throughout the UK.  Throughout the event there are sponsorship, advertising and exhibiting opportunities, please contact Hannah Tomlinson for more information.

Our Sponsors 

Logo of the Architectural Heritage Fund with their strap line " Transforming heritage"
Historic Environment Scotland Logo
William Grant Foundation logo

Questions about Conference 2024? Get in touch: admin@heritagetrustnetwork.org.uk