Two Appointments to Pick Everard’s Culture and Heritage Team

(L-R) John Coley and Oliver Burgess

Two key appointments have been made by Pick Everard consultancy to its heritage construction and building conservation team.

John Coley is the new Director of Building Services Engineering and Oliver Burgess is Senior Conservation Architect.

The appointments will enable Pick Everard to meet rising demand for maintaining and protecting sites of architectural and cultural significance.

Chartered Building Services Engineer, John joins Pick Everard with 25 years of experience in delivering mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems. Projects he has worked on include Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Sydney Opera House, the Barbican Centre and the Imperial War Museum. There he helped integrate modern building services in highly constrained historic environments, often while maintaining live operations.

John Coley said: “Balancing heritage with contemporary standards starts with understanding what is genuinely important about the building and where flexibility exists.

“I work closely with architects and conservation advisors at an early stage to establish clear principles, allowing proportionate engineering responses that deliver real long-term value rather than standardised solutions. By focusing on targeted measures and clear communication with stakeholders, it is possible to achieve compliant, functional performance while minimising impact on historic fabric.”

Senior Conservation Architect

Oliver Burgess has experience in the renovation of country houses as well as projects at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Stationers’ Hall in London. He has worked in architecture for 15 years, specialising in conservation for the last 10 years and completing an MSc in building conservation in 2024.

Oliver said: “I find it extremely rewarding to see buildings that have often been neglected or poorly treated transformed into functional, viable spaces. I also really enjoy uncovering a building’s history and revealing hidden features or stories. The same fundamental approach should apply to most projects, regardless of age. Prioritising the retention of as much existing fabric as possible is both inherently sustainable and good conservation practice.

“Contrary to what people might expect of a conservation architect, I strongly believe there is a clear role for contemporary design within historic settings. In fact, this is often encouraged by bodies such as Historic England, where a clear distinction between old and new is seen as desirable.

Pragmatic Approach

“I don’t think we should be replicating historic construction methods wholesale, but the material-focused, pragmatic and aesthetic principles of traditional architecture remain highly relevant and are something to aspire to today. Taking a long-term view in terms of design, style and planning is essential to creating places that remain pleasant and functional over time. Too often, significant buildings have been lost in the name of progress, only to be replaced with developments of lesser quality and longevity.”

John and Oliver join Pick Everard as it continues to work with the V&A family of museums and the National Trust.

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