Speakers

Dr Emily Williams

Director of the MSc in Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects, Durham University

Dr Emily Williams has directed the MSc in Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects at Durham University since 2018. Prior to that she was the Senior Conservator (Archaeological Materials) at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Across her career, she has collaborated with archaeologists, museum professionals and others in a number of countries including Australia, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Iraq, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Belgium and Bermuda. 

Huw Bonner

Head of Conservation, National Library of Wales

Huw Bonner is the Head of Conservation at National Library of Wales. With over 36 years of experience in archival conservation, I began my professional journey at the National Library of Wales in 1989 as a Library Assistant, before progressing to the role of Conservation Assistant. My career developed further through positions as Conservation Technician and, subsequently, Qualified Conservator. Over the years, I have specialised in the care and preservation of wax seals and have contributed to professional training as an instructor on the Archives and Records Association (ARA) conservation course. In my current role as Head of Conservation, I lead the department in safeguarding the library’s rich and diverse collections, ensuring their long-term preservation for future generations.

Lauren Moon-Schott

Book Conservator, Durham University

Lauren Moon-Schott is a rare book conservator with a certificate in bookbinding from North Bennet Street School, Boston, Massachusetts, US and an MA in conservation of books and library materials from West Dean College, Sussex, UK. She works as a book conservator at Durham University, UK, in the Bishop Cosin’s Collection, and was previously employed in the Boston Public Library’s special collections department.

Phil Pollard

Heritage Career Pathways Manager, Historic England

Phil Pollard, ACIfA, is Heritage Career Pathways Manager at Historic England, where he manages their strategic approach to improving sector workforce skills and careers. Phil chairs the Historic Environment Skills Forum, which includes ICON as a founding member. He was lead author on the Skills Forum’s Historic Environment Skills and Careers Action Plan for England (HESCAPE) that notes industrial heritage conservation skills and post-excavation skills in Archaeology (inc. conservation) amongst its priority areas.

Phil also chairs the Historic Environment Trailblazer, which has developed 7 new heritage apprenticeship standards including 2 in conservation and led the delivery of the UKs first ever historic environment apprenticeship programme. Previously, Phil established Historic England and English Heritage’s Collaborative Doctoral Partnership programme and sat on the advisory Boards of a number of AHRC Doctoral Training Partnerships.

Phil has been an assessor for the CIfA/UAUK Degree Accreditation since 2019 and is currently Vice Chair of its Accreditation Committee. He is also a Trustee and Honorary Secretary of the Council for British Archaeology.

Richard Mullholland

Assistant Professor in Conservation of Fine Art, Northumbria University

Richard Mulholland is Assistant Professor in Conservation of Fine Art at Northumbria University. He is Programme Leader for Northumbria’s Preventive Conservation distance learning MA and is Director of the University Art Collections.

Before joining Northumbria, Richard spent nineteen years as a paper conservator, working at several institutions including the V&A, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and the Harvard Art Museums. His research is concerned with material, technique, and studio process used by artists from the eighteenth to the mid twentieth century, particularly focusing on material, meaning and visual perception in twentieth century drawings.

Richard is also engaged in research on the conservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage collections at risk in post-conflict Afghanistan, and has spent time working in the field in Kabul on a number of research and capacity-building projects.

Sophie McAloone

Conservation Manager, Fine Art Restoration Company

Sophie McAloone is the Conservation Manager at Fine Art Restoration Company, where she oversees a busy team working on a wide range of conservation projects for private clients, museums, and institutions across the UK. She is a trained easel paintings conservator and has experience with artworks spanning from 15th-century oil on copper pieces to contemporary mixed media, with a particular interest in post-war British art as well as paintings on panel supports.

Her research into the work of British artist Sheila Fell R.A. has been published and presented at public events, including a recent lecture at Tullie Museum as part of a large retrospective exhibition. She has also contributed to The Picture Restorer, combining her practical knowledge with an interest in public engagement and sector discourse. Sophie is an active member of the British Association of Paintings Conservator-Restorers (BAPCR) and currently serves as Education and Outreach Officer on the Committee for ICON’s Private Practice Group. She is especially passionate about supporting early-career conservators and sharing insight into the realities of private practice, team leadership, and career progression.

Tony King

Senior Manager for Conservation and Collections Care, Durham University

Tony King is Senior Manager for Conservation and Collections Care for Durham University. Based at Palace Green Library, his team are responsible for preservation across the University’s varied museum, archive and library collections. He is an Icon Accredited Conservator specialising in archive and library materials with a particular interest in historical bookbinding practices.

Having trained at Camberwell College and undertaken the ARA Archive Conservation Training Scheme, Tony has worked as a Conservator for both Essex and Cumbria County Council before joining Durham University in 2020.