Mike is a heritage specialist with over 20 years of experience in London. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in history, he embarked on his heritage career in Germany, first by completing a post-graduate degree in conservation from the Universität Bamberg (Das Aufbaustudium Denkmalpflege) and thereafter working as an architectural investigator on a range of buildings including medieval castles and cathedrals. After relocating to England and completing an MA in Conservation at the University of York and a post-graduate Diploma in Urban Design at the University of Westminster, Mike initially worked as a local authority conservation officer before joining Historic England in 2003.

From 2005-2023 Mike led a multi-disciplinary team of heritage specialists at Historic England providing expert advice to local authorities, developers and the public.

During that time he was instrumental in negotiating several high profile heritage-led developments in London, including:

• Kings Cross Coal Drops—restoration of Grade II listed Victorian coal drop structures, with the addition of a dramatic new roof extension linking the two ranges. Thomas Heatherwick for Argent.
• Kings Cross Station—restoration of the Grade I listed station and extension to create the new Western Concourse. John McAslan and Partners for Network Rail.
• Blossom Street, Norton Folgate—redevelopment of a derelict site in South Shoreditch providing new commercial and retail space within new buildings and retained historic warehouses. AHMM, Stanton Williams, Morris & Company, DSDHA for British Land.
• Former Regent Palace Hotel, Piccadilly—restoration and adaptation of the Grade II listed former Regent Palace Hotel for a dynamic mixed use scheme. Dixon Jones for the Crown Estate.
• The Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly—restoration and extension of the iconic Grade II* listed Ritz Hotel, incorporating the nearby Georgian Grade II* listed Kent House. EPR Architects and Purcell.
• Whitechapel Bell Foundry, Whitechapel—-repair and restoration of the Grade II* listed bell foundry buildings and provision of a new hotel to the rear. 31/44 Architects for Raycliff.
• Museum of London, Smithfield Market—repair, restoration and conversion of the Victorian former General Market Buildings as the new home of the Museum of London. Stanton Williams Architects, Asif Khan and Julian Harrap Architects.
• Former Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel—-restoration and conversion of the Grade II listed former hospital to Tower Hamlets Town Hall. AHMM Architects for London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
• Former Midland Bank, City of London—-restoration and conversion of the Grade I listed Lutyens designed former Midland Bank to a hotel (The Ned). EPR Architects for Soho House & Co.
• National Gallery Sainsbury Wing, Trafalgar Square—-restoration and alteration to the Grade I listed Postmodern Sainsbury Wing to improve public access and circulation. Selldorf Architects and Purcell.

In addition to negotiating these and many other development schemes in London, Mike has given evidence as an expert witness at four major Public Inquiries since 2018.

Having spent most of his career in the capital, Mike has a particular interest in how heritage contributes to London’s status as a World City, and how it can add value to future development as London adds new layers to its constantly evolving built environment.