Ulster Architectural Heritage is the trading name of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, (UAHS) a Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee.
The members of the UAHS Main Committee are both Directors and Trustees, overseeing the work of the Society, including the work of its staff and volunteers. The work of the Society is further supported by a number of sub committees including: Architecture Planning & Policy, Events, Publications and Finance.
Our staff and committee is made up of experts in areas relating to the promotion, protection, conservation and regeneration of architectural heritage, with backgrounds in architecture, archaeology, law, business, literature and architectural history.
Staff:
UAHS staff with a high level of experience and expertise in Architecture, Archaeology, Planning, Heritage and Management. Staff are here to help you help built heritage, and can be contacted via the UAHS office. Find out more about UAH Staff their background, qualifications and skills, below.
Nicola (Nikki) McVeigh
Nikki graduated with a first class honours degree, and a Masters in Architecture from Edinburgh University. Nikki also holds a Masters with distinction in Heritage Science Queen’s University, Belfast and an Advanced Diploma in Management Practice with distinction from Ulster University. Through postgraduate studies, Nikki has conducted research into psychology, architecture and the archetype and legislation for the protection of listed buildings in Northern Ireland. Nikki has worked with Groves-Raines Architects, Edinburgh, in practice. Nikki has also worked in the community voluntary sector in capital and community project management, education and interpretation with National Trust and as Interpretation Manager with the Department of Environment, now Department for Communities. Nikki has been Chief Executive of UAH since 2014.
As Chief Executive with Ulster Architectural Heritage Nikki has been responsible for leading the organisation through a phase of development as part of the Heritage Lottery Transition Project, has led on the introduction of Heritage Angel Awards to Northern Ireland and the organisation’s move to the Old Museum Building in 2017. Nikki leads on strategy, management, fundraising, planning and policy.
Chief Executive E: [email protected]
Contact Nikki about: Projects, Partnership Working, & Consultancy.
Maura Ahern
Maura holds a BSc (Hons) in Management & Business Studies and has extensive experience in Human Resources; Governance; Administrative, Financial and Project Management as well as Events & Communications. Prior to this she was employed as Corporate Services Manager with a local Third Sector Organisation. Maura leads on the biannual Heritage Angel Awards Project and the administration of UAH events, membership and pubications. Maura has been Heritage Events and Communications Officer 2017-20. And has been Executive Assistant since 2021.
Heritage Events & Communications Officer E: [email protected]
Contact Maura about: Heritage Angel Awards and UAH Membership, Events and Publications.
Isabel McKernan
Isabel graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a 2:1 BSc (Hons) in Architecture. Since her graduation she had been working in retail management until she saw an opportunity to combine her administrative experience with her love of the built environment, particularly of historic buildings; when an opening became available with Ulster Architectural Heritage as Executive Assistant in 2018. In 2021, Isabel took on a new role as Heritage Project Development & Planning Officer, and now monitors planning applications and responses, undertakes development and delivery of projects and consultancy work. She is also currently studying for her MSc in Building Surveying.
Project Development and Planning Officer E: [email protected]
Contact Isabel about: UAH project and consultancy delivery and planning.
Dr Connie Gerrow
Connie graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a BA (Hons) 2:1 in Ancient History and Archaeology, an MSc. with Distinction in Heritage Science and most recently (2018) completed her doctorate in the efficacy of conservation stone surface treatments as moisture management strategies supported by Historic Environment Scotland and the Department for Communities: Historic Environment Division. She has worked with organisations including Balkan Heritage in archaeological excavation and conservation of ceramics, the Centre of Digital Documentation digitising Gaelic texts while also contributing both nationally and internationally at conferences through her doctoral research on intervention conservation issues in the historic built environment. Connie has a particular interest in condition assessment of historic buildings, the adaption of buildings to the effects of climate change and the resilience and sustainability of building materials. Connie has been Heritage Project Officer since 2016.
As Heritage Project Officer with Ulster Architectural Heritage Connie has been responsible for the Hands-On Heritage project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Northern Ireland. Connie has also been responsible for the delivery of a range of other projects for the organisation – from events, to education, heritage audits and Heritage at Risk NI.
Connie is currently on maternity leave.
Errin McElhinney
Errin graduated from Ulster University Belfast in 2018, with a Ba (Hons) Architecture 2:1. Pursuing her love for the historic environment, Errin recently undertook postgraduate studies at the University of York, gaining a Masters in Conservation Studies (Historic Buildings) 2:1, within the Department of Archaeology. Here, her thesis research critically analysed the trajectory of conservation discourse in relation to fire disaster recovery methods. Errin has gained experience volunteering for organisations such as the York Civic Trust (Planning sub-committee) and the National Trust Australia, alongside an internship with the North York Moors National Park Authority. Part time employment during her Undergraduate study with the National Trust and Ulster Architectural Heritage greatly influenced her career path. Errin has been Projects Officer since 2021.
Heritage Projects Officer E: [email protected]
Contact Errin about: The Hands-On Heritage Project.
The Heritage Projects Officer: Heritage At Risk is due to be appointed 2021.
Dr Rosaleen (Rosie) Hickey
Rosie graduated with an MA (Hons) in Architectural History from the University of Edinburgh in 2010, and received a PhD in Architecture from Queen’s University Belfast in 2017. Her PhD research focused on the role of architecture and urban planning in promoting ‘shared space’ in the ethno-nationally divided city. Rosie also has a wealth of experience in leading and delivering a range of heritage projects – including tours, workshops, exhibitions and oral history projects – for various charities and arts organisations including British Council and Belfast Interface Project. Rosie has been Heritage Projects Assistant since 2016.
As Heritage Projects Assistant with the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, Rosie is responsible for delivering a wide range of projects for the organisation, from events to heritage audits & exhibitions.
Heritage Projects Assistant E: [email protected]
Officers of the Society:
President: Primrose Wilson CBE
Vice Presidents: Marcus Binney CBE – Dr Edward McParland – Prof Alastair Rowan.
Our Committee:
Many of our committee members are, or have been leads in heritage regeneration projects, as part of some of Northern Ireland’s most prolific Building Preservation Trusts. Others are experts in law, business, finance, marketing, public relations, architecture, archaeology and research into the historic environment. The level of expertise and energy represented by the members of the committee, their passion for Ulster’s built heritage is one of the main strengths of the Society. The main UAHS committee meets monthly.
Chairman: Dr David Johnston OBE
Vice Chairman: John Anderson
Hon. Treasurer: Rosie Ford Hutchinson
Hon. Secretary: Alastair Rankin
Committee Members:
John Edmund
Marcus Patton OBE
Stephen Craig
Dr Murray Power
Dr Patricia Warke
Dr Paul Harron
Claire Foley
Geoffrey Brooks
Sub Committees:
Chairs of the sub committees also sit on the main committee, above. sub-committees quarterly, or as required.
Architecture, Planning & Policy. Chair: John Anderson
Events. Chair: Dr Murray Power
Finance. Chair: Rosie Ford-Hutchinson
Publications. Chair: Karen Latimer OBE
