Carole Souter CBE will offer the first keynote presentation at the IHBC’s June 2020 Brighton School, themed on ‘OLD TOWNS : NEW FUTURES’, and lay the foundations for the Day School’s exploration of one of the most challenging topics today, the future of our towns and urban centres, at the Brighton Metropole Hotel, on 19 June 2020.
Carole is the Master of St Cross College, Oxford, and former Chief Executive of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). She was the guest judge for the IHBC’s Gus Astley Student Award in 2017, and currently serves as the Chair of the Planning Committee of the Oxford Preservation Trust.
Carole Souter said: ‘At a time when so many forces in society are encouraging individuals to identify themselves with particular groupings, often in opposition to others, it is more important than ever that our towns and urban centres offer spaces that encourage shared experiences for the whole community.’
‘The history and architectural form of a place should guide the creation of those spaces. Engaging local people in the debate is often the key to success. So why do we find that so hard to achieve and what might help?’
IHBC Chair David McDonald said: ‘We’re delighted that such a long-standing – though very busy – supporter of the IHBC’s agenda is able to offer her thoughts on the Brighton School’s theme for 2020.’
‘Carole has wide-ranging experience, all relevant to the sector, from heritage funding to community engagement and organisational management. She is perfectly placed to offer the informed, holistic perspective that School delegates need to best secure sustainable futures for our urban centres and their communities.’
Billions of pounds are being invested today to support towns – old and new – as well as their surrounding regions. Most of that money comes from the UK’s cultural, business and community purses, but often is tied to separate, even contradictory outcomes.
At the same time core heritage funds are more constrained than ever, and the pressures on our making locally valued places sustainable can put those places most at risk.
What can be done by those who care, shape and advise on such places actually do to make our towns succeed in the future?
Built and historic environment practitioners and advisers, community leaders, policy makers, investors and funders need to work in unison if we are to make the most of any opportunities.
The IHBC’s 2020 Brighton School and conference takes a timely and forensic look at how the planning, heritage and related sectors can make the most of the opportunities on offer, help players learn from colleagues and others, and broaden understanding of the drivers, barriers and responses.
This unique learning opportunity from the IHBC – in Brighton, from 18-20 June 2020 – will ensure that practitioners can uncover new solutions to some surprisingly historic challenges.
For IHBC’s Brighton 2020 School see Brighton2020.ihbc.org.uk where you can sign up for the IHBC’s 2020 School alerts, follow us @IHBCTweet and see #IHBCBrighton2020 for updates.
For more background on the 2020 School‘s principal sponsor, Heritage Collective, a member of the IHBC’s quality assured HESPR Community, see the NewsBlog
See HESPR and Heritage Collective’s HESPR entry
See options and download the SPONSORSHIP BROCHURE
See more on the IHBC’s Annual Schools
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