Global Building Conservation Conference 2026

David Humphreys FRICS

Director and Chair of RICS Building Conservation Advisory Group, ACP Group and RICS

David established the practice in 2000 following an overseas career in the UK and Australia. He has over 30 years experience in both public service and private practice in Ireland, the UK and Australia. David spent 8 years working as a Senior Professional Officer with English Heritage. He is a Chartered Building Surveyor, Chartered Building Engineer, Chartered Project Manager, and Chartered Landscape Architect/Manager.

Ambrish Arora

Founding Principal, Studio Lotus

Ambrish is Founding Principal at Studio Lotus, a globally recognised, multi-disciplinary design practice founded in 2002. Spanning the domains of Master Planning, Architecture, and Interior Design, the work of the studio is grounded on the principles of Conscious Design - an approach that celebrates local resources, cultural influences, an inclusive process, and keen attention to detail. Ambrish’s role is largely studio-focused, leading design processes that direct the trajectory of projects. He is deeply involved with assessing benchmarks of innovation and sustainability for the studio’s ongoing work - including aspects related to thermal comfort, and localization of material and process. Ambrish has persistently campaigned for the amalgamation of vernacular wisdom with modern building practices; for frugal and passive means of construction - often achieved through integration of artisanal skillsets - as a means to achieve cultural, social as well as environmental sustainability.

David Hourihan MSc Prop Invest FSCSI FRICS

Head of Academic Profile & Impact, University of the Built Environment

David is chartered surveyor with over 30 years of industry and education experience across the Ireland and the UK. This includes over fifteen years of industry experience in office agency, shopping centre asset management and commercial property valuations in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. He worked with several leading real estate firms including JLL and Colliers International. He has sat on Governing Council since June 2023 and is currently the ‘Commercial Property’ seat holder on RICS Governing Council. In his 2024 re-election campaign for Governing Council, he pledged to ‘Supporting next generation and DEI initiatives to attract a bigger and more diverse pool of talent to our industry’. He also pledged to have more academics ‘Chartered’ as he believes they hold a pivotal role in encouraging more students to become RICS surveyors. David is an RICS ‘Inspire Ambassador’ encouraging UK secondary school students, our ‘next generation’, to pursue careers in construction and real estate. He has given presentations at several British, Irish and French universities to promote membership of RICS. As a male ally, he has represented RICS and participated in events including London PRIDE; the ‘Investing in Women surveyors: International Women’s Day’ conference; a panel discussion at the book launch of ‘Building Women’ and promoting surveying at careers days in association with the ‘Association of Muslim Surveyors Initiative’ and ‘Muslims in Real Estate’. He is the ‘Head of School for Real Estate and Innovation’ and an associate professor at the University of the Built Environment. David specialises in property investment, property asset management and property agency in the commercial property sector. He has produced training and published in ‘Estates Gazette’ on the use of Discounted Cashflows in commercial property appraisals and valuations. David is a knowledge expert at his university on the subject of ‘Ethics’. David has given several presentations in the UK, Caribbean, Ireland and France on the professional behaviours and ethical standards of chartered surveyors.

Richard Lawrence

Architect and Head of Design, PJ Livesey Group

Richard is an Architect and Head of Design at Manchester-based P J Livesey Group, a specialist property developer focused on converting heritage assets into distinctive new homes. With over 45 years of history, the company has built a national reputation for the sensitive transformation of listed buildings. Originally from near York, Richard is proud to be leading the design of The Retreat’s conversion and brings experience across hospital redevelopments, residential masterplans, and bespoke housing within Grade II and II* Listed Buildings. Prior to joining PJ Livesey, Richard studied at the Centre for Alternative Technology and worked with an environmental social enterprise and charity. This experience shaped his understanding of climate change, ecology and sustainability, with perspectives that continue to inform his approach to adaptive reuse of historic buildings.

Samantha Organ FRICS

Associate Professor in Building Sustainability at University of the West of England, Founding Director at SO Associates

Samantha is a building surveyor, a fellow of the RICS and Associate Member of the ICE. She divides her time between academia and practice, and uses her expertise to provide advice and strategic guidance on sustainability for built assets. She is currently Associate Professor in Building Sustainability at the University of the West of England and Heritage Lead at Building Heritage & Co, enabling her to merge cutting-edge thinking with practice. Samantha previously worked for the National Trust, Europe's largest conservation charity as a building surveyor and in the directorate to provide national guidance on sustainability for built assets. In academia, Samantha lectures and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her research primarily focuses on sustainability and energy efficiency in existing buildings. She has written numerous publications for a range of audiences, including academic papers, reports, professional and newspaper articles. She is a current member of the RICS BCAG. She mentors early career surveyors, including through the Circle Partnership.

Verity Ramsden MRICS

Heritage Viability Specialist and Member of RICS Conservation Advisory Group (BCAG)

Verity is a Chartered Surveyor and heritage professional specialising in viability, adaptive reuse and regeneration of historic buildings and urban centres. In August 2025 she relocated to Saudi Arabia, leaving her role with Historic England where for the last five years she had been advising public bodies, developers and building owners on how to balance heritage significance, planning policy, and financial viability to deliver sustainable outcomes. Throughout her career she has been recognised for her ability to bridge the gap between the heritage and real estate sectors, translating conservation requirements into commercially-deliverable solutions. Before joining Historic England, Verity worked for a heritage trust in Uganda, promoting the preservation and reuse of historical sites, and as a RICS Registered Valuer at real estate advisory firms in Myanmar and the UK.

Dr Eugene Seah

Chief Executive Officer, DLS Consultancy Pte Ltd

Dr Eugene Seah is the CEO of DLS Consultancy Pte Ltd, a firm that provides Project Management, Cost and Contracts management, Contracts and Business Advisory that touches on Sustainability, Resilience , Digital and Technology. With more than 25 years of experience behind him and the vast experience on projects of various asset class and sectors, as well as business management under his belt, he is able to bring value to projects that is holistic in nature, taking into account contemporary issues in the industry. He enjoys being in practice , education and research , grooming the younger generation in the Industry of Singapore and South East Asia. He is an Adjudicator , an Adjunct Associate Professor at Taylors and a Visiting Fellow of the University of Reading Malaysia. He currently holds the position of President of Building Smart Singapore, the Chairman of the RICS South East Asia Board and Singapore Chapter and Chairman of the International Cost Engineering Council. He enjoys serving and giving back to society. He is a member of COMPASS in MOE and is the Chair of the National Youth Achievement Award Council as well as committee members of several NGO committees.

Wendy Ng

Director, Revival Heritage Consultants Limited, Past President of The Hong Kong Institute of Architectural Conservationists

Wendy Ng is an experienced architectural conservationist with a diverse portfolio encompassing a broad spectrum of projects. Her expertise extends from conducting academic research on individual buildings to historic urban landscapes and rural villages, developing conservation strategies and policies, and conservation works for restoration, adaptive reuse, and interpretation of heritage sites. Beyond her notable contributions in Hong Kong, Wendy also participates in heritage projects in Shanghai and Singapore. She holds pivotal roles as the director of Revival Heritage Consultants Limited, the past President of Hong Kong Institute of Architectural Conservationists (HKICON, 2023-2025), and a member of Docomomo International Hong Kong Chapter.

Ann Gray FRICS, FAIA, RIBA

Principal, Gray Real Estate Advisors, Past President, RICS

As principal at Gray Real Estate Advisors, Ann Gray advises property owners, investors and attorneys on development related issues often including preservation strategies. Among many others, she has consulted to Citibank, Wells Fargo, Crimson Pipeline, The Los Angeles Times, the South Coast Transit District and the Auto Club of Southern California. For nine years Ann served on the Global Governing Council of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and was elected to its presidency in 2023. Prior to forming her company, Ann oversaw development of the studio lot at Paramount Pictures for eight years where she oversaw approximately $500 million in new construction and remodeling of industrial, corporate, and specialized production facilities. Ann is the founder of Balcony Media, Inc. publisher of art and architecture books and previously FORM magazine. Ann Gray is a licensed architect and real estate broker. She has degrees in Math and Architecture both from UCLA.

Elisabetta Rosina

Associate Professor, Politecnico di Milano

She obtained the National Scientific Qualification for the role of full professor in 2018. She is competent in the conservation and restoration of Cultural Heritage, with specific knowledge on the historical structure and materials of European buildings. She is particularly competent in design, planning and execution of non-destructive investigations and degradation assessment and documentation on buildings, for preservation and maintenance. Her major competencies are in preservation technologies for historic buildings, assessment of the performances and degradation of building materials, diagnostic methodologies and techniques such infrared thermography, gravimetric tests, microclimatic monitoring, psychrometric maps, videoscope, iron/steel structures search inside masonry and instrumental surveys. She is the scientific responsible for the Experimental mobile laboratory of ABC Dept. Polytechnic of Milan.

George Ballard FRICS

George is a lifetime professional in structural building assessment, concrete and materials technology, conservation, and the application of technological solutions to these disciplines. He has built this Practice in Building Inspection and Remediation that now covers Europe, North America, and Australia. George will work on TO20 SV-058 – Structural Monitoring on the Restoration and Renewal Programme.

Kaitlin Drisko

Principal, Drisko Studio Architects

Kaitlin Drisko is principal of Drisko Studio Architects, a small design firm that merges architectural principles with conservation practices. With emphasis on the stewardship of cultural and historic resources, the studio views architectural design as an opportunity to understand our environment, discern patterns of living, engage with existing contexts, and create meaningful accompaniments to our lives. Educated and licensed to practice in both architecture and engineering, Kaitlin received engineering degrees from the California Institute of Technology and UC Davis and a Master of Architecture from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Past recognition includes a Thomas Watson Foundation fellowship for international study of museum design and a Graham Foundation grant for documentation of buildings by the architect Irving Gill. Kaitlin is a LEED AP and past Board Member of the Santa Monica Conservancy.

Sarah Khan

Architect accredited in Building Conservation, Roger Mears Architect

I am an Architect Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC), as well as accredited with the RIBA as a Specialist Conservation Architect. I have worked at Roger Mears Architects (RMA) since 2007 and have been a Practice Partner since 2015. RMA has a strong track record of working in Conservation, something I am deeply passionate about. I am a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) as well as a past SPAB Guardian as part of their Technical and Research Committee, a member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and a past member of the RIBA Conservation Group. I am on the London Diocese, Southwark, Peterborough, Chelmsford and St Albans Diocese lists of Quinquennial Inspecting Architects, and the Church Architect for various Grade I and II listed in London. I also work with many community and grant-aided projects, as well as buildings on the Historic England Heritage-at-risk register. I am also currently leading the Practice’s research project into sustainable upgrading of historic buildings.

Caitlin DeSilvey

Professor, University of Exeter

Caitlin DeSilvey is Professor of Cultural Geography at the University of Exeter. Her research explores the interface between cultural heritage and environmental change, using place-based and creative methods to develop new approaches for managing heritage in transformation. This focus on process, rather than preservation, has been articulated through collaborative development of a series of novel concepts, including ‘curated decay’ and 'adaptive release'. She works closely with natural and cultural heritage practitioners to translate conceptual innovation into policy and practice, through advisory roles and active research projects with organisations including the World Monuments Fund, the National Trust, English Heritage Trust, Natural England, Historic England and the Commissioners of Irish Lights. Within Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute, she directs the Adaptive Heritage Practice Lab (AHPL), which catalogues and catalyses experimental practice directed towards the management of ecocultural heritage transformations.

Andy Beardsley MRICS

Chartered Geospatial Surveyor, The Survey Association Council Member, SPAB Guardian, Managing Director, Terra Measurement Limited

Andy is a Chartered Geospatial Surveyor and Managing Director at Terra Measurement Limited. A specialist geospatial survey consultancy working across heritage, infrastructure, engineering and the built environment. He has more than 32 years’ experience as a geospatial surveyor and consultant, and has been involved in the 3D geospatial survey of historic buildings and structures.

Tom Bosence MRICS

Managing Director, Bosence Associates

Tom began his working life practising traditional craft skills such as lime plaster/ pointing, traditional slating techniques, cob repair, masonry techniques (including carving and letter cutting). Having made the move to more professional and less practical roles, he worked for some of the largest conservation contractors in the country. These roles involved running complex conservation projects and contract management. He has since trained as a Chartered Surveyor and has worked for prestigious conservation organisations such as the National Trust and English Heritage. He is a full member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyor (MRICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB) and the Institute for Historic Building Conservation (IHBC). He has achieved the status of Certified Historic Buildings Professional from the RICS. This combination of achievements is very rare: very few people in the sector have the required skill, knowledge and experience to attain all of them.

Rohit Jigyasu

Programme Director, SEAMEO Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts

Rohit Jigyasu is a conservation architect and risk management professional from India, currently working as the programme director at the Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO-SPAFA) based in Bangkok. Before taking up this position, Rohit worked at ICCROM as Programme Manager on sustainable urban and built Heritage conservation, disaster and climate risk management & post crisis recovery since 2018. Rohit also served as UNESCO Chair holder professor at the Institute for Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage at Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan, where he was instrumental in developing and teaching International Training Course on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage. He was the elected President of ICOMOS-India from 2014-2018 and president of ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Risk Preparedness (ICORP) from 2010-2019. Rohit served as the Elected Member of the Executive Committee of ICOMOS since 2011 and was its Vice President from 2017-2020. Before joining ICCROM, Rohit has been working with several national and international organizations such as UNESCO, UNDRR, Getty Conservation Institute and World Bank for consultancy, research and training on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage. He has undertaken post disaster assessments for cultural heritage, worked on the initial draft of the policy document on climate action for world heritage adopted by UNESCO General Assembly in 2023 and is also the main author of the UNESCO Resource Manual on Managing Disaster Risks for World Heritage and the co-editor of recently published Routledge handbook on cultural heritage and disaster risk management and Routledge book on Good Practices for Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage.

Rose Lord

Built Environment Advisor, Lake District National Park Authority

Rose has worked at the Lake District National Park Authority since 2018, leading on the conservation and strategic management of historic buildings and areas across the National Park and World Heritage Site. Her role combines strategic oversight with detailed casework, ensuring the sensitive repair and long-term stewardship of the Lake District’s historic environment. With a background in heritage management, planning and building conservation, her work involves close collaboration with farmers, landowners, architects, contractors and national agencies, combining strong project management and negotiation skills to deliver high-quality conservation outcomes.

Eoin Cullinane

Engineering Design, Consents and Compliance Manager, Commissioners of Irish Lights

Eoin is a civil engineer with over 20 years' experience on a wide range of infrastructure projects. He has worked for client bodies and contractors on roads, flood protection, site development, and water services projects in Ireland & the UK and on several major international contracts funded by multilateral development banks to deliver water and sanitation infrastructure in Africa and Eastern Europe. Eoin is currently Engineering Design, Consents & Compliance Manager with the Commissioners of Irish Lights managing the delivery of maintenance, rehabilitation and upgrade projects to ensure the ongoing resilience of the Aid to Navigation assets which make up the Irish Lights estate across Ireland and Northern Ireland. He is also responsible for ensuring that all Irish Lights plans and activities are undertaken in compliance with the relevant environmental and planning requirements in both jurisdictions. Eoin is an active member of Engineers Ireland and is a former member of the institution CPD Standing Committee and a former Chair of the Water & Environment Committee.

Morgan Sykes Jaybush

Creative Director, Legacy LEED, Omgivning

Morgan Sykes Jaybush is the Creative Director and an original member of Omgivning, with extensive experience leading projects from concept through construction across adaptive reuse, hospitality, and cultural spaces. A fourth-generation Angeleno, he grew up between Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles and his work is rooted in a deep understanding of Los Angeles’ history and evolving urban fabric. He studied architecture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and worked in Italy for several years, bringing an Italian-inspired respect for historic buildings to his practice. Morgan spearheaded the Historic House Relocation Project, an initiative that saves historic houses from demolition and relocates them to vacant, fire-damaged lots affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires. His work focuses on navigating the complexities of working with existing buildings, bringing a balance to creative problem-solving, detailed coordination, and thoughtful design. He is actively engaged in preservation and community efforts across Los Angeles County, including serving on the Board of the Santa Monica Conservancy. He recently won the Chair Award as a part of the 2026 Los Angeles Conservancy Preservation Awards for his efforts with house relocation.

Ohnmar Myo

Senior Researcher, SEAMEO Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts

Ms Ohnmar Myo is a senior cultural heritage practitioner with over two decades of experience in safeguarding Myanmar’s cultural, natural, and intangible heritage. She is currently a Senior Researcher at SEAMEO SPAFA, where she leads work on heritage conservation, disaster risk management, emergency preparedness, and community-based capacity building. She has extensive experience in heritage emergency response and recovery, including coordinating UNESCO’s response to the 2016 Bagan earthquake and, more recently, contributing to post-earthquake heritage assessment, documentation, recovery planning, and capacity-building initiatives following the 2025 Myanmar earthquake. Her current work examines how heritage recovery can be strengthened through better coordination, local expertise, community engagement, and disaster-resilient conservation practices, particularly in contexts affected by conflict and institutional constraints. Ms Myo is Secretary-General of ICOMOS Myanmar and President of the Myanmar Archaeology Association. During her tenure with UNESCO Myanmar (2012–2018), she contributed to major conservation and World Heritage initiatives, including the inscription of the Ancient Pyu Cities (2014) and Bagan (2019). Her interdisciplinary expertise connects heritage conservation, emergency response, research, professional capacity building, and community resilience, with a strong commitment to safeguarding heritage and cultural continuity in times of disaster and crisis.

Cesar Diaz Cano

Design Associate Director, Diriyah Company

Architect and Master in Architecture and Heritage by the University of Seville, Cesar Diaz Cano started his professional career participating in multiple projects of adaptive re-use and restoration of listed buildings in Andalucia. From there, he specialized in design development and construction supervision of museums and permanent exhibitions, starting an international career that took him to Russia, Qatar, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia. For the last 4 years he has been part of the Diriyah Company Cultural Assets team, overseeing the design and construction of a wide portfolio of cultural and heritage-related facilities.