Seb Heeley

“Creative Heritage’s rigorous yet pragmatic approach to protecting the significance of the grade 2* listed arches helped to smooth the way through the planning process whilst ensuring we got a contemporary environment for our new bar-restaurant venture.”

[referring to Manchester Gin’s new flagship bar, restaurant and Distillery on Watson Street, Manchester]

Matthew Dugdale, Planning Consultant, The Emerson Group

“Kate from Creative Heritage was instrumental in helping to set up a pilot Heritage Partnership Agreement for two Listed Buildings in Manchester City Centre – the first of its kind in Manchester. Kate responded to the challenges of the new legislation and found a pragmatic solution for the buildings given their particular heritage assets, which will help ensure that the buildings remain in viable use for the future, in what is a competitive commercial market. Orbit Developments and the wider Emerson Group look forward to working with Kate on further heritage and conservation related work in the future.”  

[referring to Colwyn Chambers and Cobden House, Manchester]

Matt Wright, Project Officer, Mansfield District Council

“Kate Dickson and the team were excellent throughout our project and helped us put together a winning bid! I could not recommend Creative Heritage enough….Working at our offices once a week was an inspired idea and really aided project progress. Creative Heritage built relationships extremely well with all stakeholders throughout the project.”

 [referring to the Mansfield Townscape Heritage]

Ade Alao, Head of Investment and Development, Tameside MBC

“We were very impressed with the team’s approach to the project and the insightful and well-researched report that they provided within our tight timeframe……Creative Heritage Consultants bring considerable knowledge of the constraints and opportunities of the historic estate and a wealth of experience, backed up with a track record of delivery.”

  [referring to the visioning exercise for Ashton Town Hall]

David Cracknell, Trustee and Treasurer, Markfield Beam Engine & Museum

“I would like to extend our sincere thanks for the professional, enthusiastic, painstaking and ‘going-the-extra-mile’ efforts and service that you have given us through this project. The resultant Report covers more that we could have expected and anticipated.”

[referring to the feasibility study: ‘Increasing audiences; securing long term sustainability’]

Paul Seddon, Head of Development Management and Regeneration, Nottingham City Council

“A huge thank you for all your assistance on this project. I believe your expertise, experience, and support for the team has given us the best chance of success with this grant bid.”

[referring to the Council’s round 2 submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a Townscape Heritage programme in the Carrington Street area]

Simon Buteux, Director, Birmingham Conservation Trust

“We are very pleased that we appointed Kate Dickson as Project Manager for the Newman Brothers Coffin Fittings Works restoration. This was a challenging and complex project, with multiple funders each with different (and not always entirely compatible) demands. Kate expertly helped the Trust through each step of the process, from appointment of the principal contractor to practical completion. Kate’s diligence and attention to detail were outstanding. Particularly valuable was Kate’s firm grasp on the project budget, risk register and the change control process. Thanks to Kate, reports and grant claims to the various sponsors were completed accurately and promptly, and our cash flow was kept on an even keel. I don’t think we could have managed without Creative Heritage!”

Mike Morris, Regeneration Service, High Peak Borough Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Strategic Alliance

“You have produced a very comprehensive and professional report which has fully met the brief we gave you, and I’m impressed by the scope of the work. May I also say that it was a pleasure working with you and the team.”

Yvonne Wright, Planning Policy Manager, Erewash Borough Council

“It’s been a delight working with you. I really enjoy working with consultants who bring such a breath of fresh air and spot things that to be honest we’re sometimes either oblivious to or just become complacent about so it’s great to see things from a different angle. Thank you for your diligence, creativity and persistence!”

Rev Dr Brutus Green, project lead for the St John’s Hyde Park organ projectil

“Our mentor, Kate, has had a very significant impact. As someone within the HLF structure she has been able to help us along the journey, and her personableness, approachability and attention for detail make her ideal for this role. She has been a great assistance and I imagine that for smaller outfits she would be entirely indispensable!”

The Very Revd Dr David J Ison, Dean of Bradford

“When we were looking for someone to provide creative help with an insoluble derelict building problem, Kate came to the rescue with sensitivity, insight, inspiration and a whole range of personal and professional skills including pulling together and inspiring a disparate group of people to find funding and ways forward through the impenetrable maze of planning issues. She worked alongside a wide range of partners and understood where they and we were coming from. And she remained resolutely ‘can-do’ despite the considerable problems we were facing, listening to our aspirations and translating them into something concrete. She’s a great person to have on your side.”

Gary Watt, Development Manager, Isis Waterside Regeneration

“Creative Heritage has been a fantastic addition to the professional team engaged for the second phase of our Islington Wharf development. Through a very hands on approach, including a close and constructive working relationship developed with the architects, Creative Heritage influenced the design concept in a very positive manner, with the result being that we at Isis are very proud of the final proposals.”

Sylvia Hargreaves, Development Director, Igloo Regeneration

“I have known Kate for 9 years. We have worked on two projects together where I was a consultant appointed to work directly with Kate. She is very committed, thorough and knowledgeable in her field of expertise with a keen eye to deliverability and programme. She is very personable and a pleasure to work with.”

Atam Verdi, Director, Aspinall Verdi, Property Regeneration Consultants

“Kate has in-depth expertise in dealing with heritage buildings and developments of all scales, with an ability to manage projects effectively and to develop good working relationships to move projects forward.”

Jerry Spencer, Principal Conservation and Design Officer Flintshire County Council.

“There are three paramount qualities required in the management of heritage regeneration which are rare at the best of times, and Kate has real depth and strength in all three: she is highly efficient in business management; possesses a deep appreciation of the principles and practice of conservation, and an has infectious passion which brings out the best from those around her.” 

David Roberts, Deputy Chief Executive, Igloo Regeneration

“Kate is a highly effective achiever in scenarios which require tenacity, accuracy, consensus building and attention to detail. She brings an infectious enthusiasm to her projects, coupled with an ability to cut to the bones of an issue. I have witnessed these characteristics employed to best effect on the most difficult projects in Ancoats Urban Village, requiring multiple-funding streams and complex stakeholder relationships. The successful completion of these £multi-million projects is the best testament to her abilities.”