Tom Foxall will cover London and the South East, whereas Tom Frater will join Historic England as regional director for the North East and Yorkshire
Two new regional directors will oversee planning advice, grants and listing in North and South England, as Tom Foxall and Tom Frater join Historic England.
Historic England oversees the National Heritage List for England, delivering sustainable futures for historic sites through investment and expertise, often working in partnership with local authorities across the country.
Tom Foxall has worked at Historic England for 15 years
A qualified architectural historian, heritage planner and urban designer, Tom specialises in the conservation and management of historic places through the planning process. Tom has a particular interest in seaside towns and a strong track-record in heritage-led regeneration and placemaking.
Most recently, Tom has led on Historic England’s planning and listing advice in the capital and wider South East.
In his new role Tom’s focus will be on:
- managing the completion of 12 High Street Heritage Action Zones, which are delivering tangible benefits to historic buildings, public realm and community engagement on the high street
- delivering statutory advice on c.5000 planning and listing applications
- providing targeted funding and advice to major capital projects including Crystal Palace Park in Bromley and Saltdean Lido in Sussex
- developing a community engagement-focused London Heritage Strategy pilot in partnership with the Greater London Authority
- supporting transformational change to Dover town centre and Western Heights
Tom Foxall, Historic England regional director for London and the South East, said: “I’m very excited to have started as regional director and to be showcasing through our wider work the crucial role of heritage in creating and maintaining great places.
“Through the deep expertise of my regional team and in close partnership with others, I’m determined to show how heritage can also be part of the solution to many of our generation’s most profound challenges, from climate change to social inequality. The dynamic and varied South East is for me the perfect place to capitalise on these huge opportunities that heritage has to offer.”
Policy expert Tom Frater will lead in the North East and Yorkshire
Tom is from North Tyneside and qualified as a solicitor with the city firm Hogan Lovells, gaining experience in public law and judicial review, before moving into public policy with the Civil Service Fast Stream.
Tom’s Government career has focussed on economic development and regional policy in northern England, where he led the Northern Powerhouse policy team and North West area director for the Levelling Up Department. Other career highlights include secyring the North of Tyne devolution deal as the Cities and Local Growth Unit’s North East lead.
Restoration and retrofitting of heritage sites will be part of Levelling Up
Tom Frater commented: “I am delighted to be joining Historic England’s North East and Yorkshire team. I’m privileged to have built my career in area-facing work in northern England, and the opportunity to combine that experience with my love of history feels very special.
“My economic development and place-making work has made me very aware of how important heritage – physical, cultural and natural- is in making places distinct and meaningful. I’m very excited to be joining such a highly skilled team on the mission to strengthen the link between our inheritance and future-looking efforts to expand opportunities and offer richer lives in the region.”
Tom will develop the 12 High Street Heritage Actions Zones in the North East and Yorkshire, as well as showing how historic buildings can contribute to Levelling Up and tackling climate change through reuse and retrofitting.
You can learn more about conservation projects on historic sites across England here.
