A new term of our Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) has started, and here you can meet new members bringing important expertise to the committee.
The DAC is an integral part of enabling the church buildings across the diocese to thrive as centres of worship and as places for communities to come together.
The DAC supports PCCs in caring for around 550 churches across the Diocese, the majority of which are heritage listed, and helps to ensure these much-valued assets are sustainable for continued use for the future.
The DAC helps to ensure any proposed change is appropriate and balances modern needs against heritage value.
It also advocates best practice in terms of accessibility and environmental sustainability.
The DAC is comprised of members with expertise in architecture, sustainability, heritage, accessibility, and liturgy, plus the five Archdeacons and the Chair.
The membership is supplemented by specialist advisers on a range of topics from audiovisual installations to stained glass.
Jenna Johnston is an Associate Heritage Consultant, with an MA in Art History and an MSc in Building Conservation and Regeneration, which together underpin over a decade’s experience working with churches and historic places.
As an IHBC-accredited heritage consultant, Jenna leads the Heritage Consultancy team at Buttress, supporting projects from early significance assessments through to repair, funding and design.
She has worked on more than 35 churches and two cathedrals, and brings a deep respect for liturgy, creative conservation, and the role church buildings continue to play in the life of their communities.
Jenna said: “I’m really pleased to join the Leeds DAC.
“Churches have shaped much of my professional life, and it’s a privilege to support their care in this way. The diocese is home to an incredibly varied and rich collection of buildings, and I value the opportunity to work with others who share a commitment to their future.
“It’s a role I take seriously, one I believe will support my professional growth throughout all aspects of my career, and one I’m proud to be part of.
“I hope to bring clear, constructive advice grounded in both professional experience and a genuine love of church buildings.
“I work closely with parishes, architects and funders, so I understand the challenges of change, and the importance of balancing significance with practical needs.
“I also bring a particular interest in 20th-century churches, and in the role of contemporary art and design in sacred spaces, which I believe can add something distinct to the conversations we have.”
Ian Hayton is a conservation architect at Donald Insall Associates with over 20 years’ wide-ranging experience in architecture.
This includes churches, theatres, and museums as well as low carbon Passivhaus housing and schools.
As the inspecting architect for over 60 churches across the Leeds, York and Sheffield dioceses, every year Ian undertakes many quinquennial inspections and then helps prioritise and carry out works.
Ian also contributes to the other 250 churches, cathedrals and minsters cared for by the practice.
Ian said: “Environmental retrofit of historic buildings is a personal interest and specialism.
“I am very pleased to join the Leeds DAC as churches are remarkable, living communities which often have the most important historic building in their area.
“We need to try to help advise churches so that they can have a comfortable home and manage change into the future while keeping the value and story of the past.”
Dr Pen Foreman is Head of Learning and Outreach at Bradford Museums, with a background in heritage, specifically in making it inclusive and accessible so people can enjoy, discover, and find meaning in the past and the lives of people who lived in it.
Their first degree was in archaeology, followed by almost ten years of teaching in primary schools and specialist settings while always kept a hand in museum and archaeology outreach and advising people on great ways to engage different audiences.
They came back to archaeology with a PhD in the use of symbolic colour in Neolithic monuments, and from there worked as the head of community archaeology for an organisation in Wales.
They went on to the British Museum to lead a national programme with partner museums across the UK to bring in school pupils who faced barriers to access, and then to Historic England where they were a Senior Advisor in the Inclusive Heritage Team.
Pen said: “I’m now heading to Bradford Museums as their Head of Learning and Outreach, and already have some plans in place around our beautiful Cathedral and other churches in the area!
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Leeds DAC, as someone with a deep passion for caring for our built heritage and making sure these special places are accessible to as many people as possible.
“I’ll be bringing my values-driven approach to this role on the DAC, where I always strive to listen well, learn from all, and advise based on my knowledge and ethics.
“I have sat on or led many committees, Boards and Trusts through the years so I'll bring my experience at navigating challenging conversations and reaching consensus.
“I’ll also be bringing my years of experience and expertise in advising on access in historic buildings, from both lived experience as a disabled person and knowledge of legislation and practicalities.
“Finally, as a Quaker, I’ll be bringing my love of peaceful places of contemplation and my hope to make them spaces welcoming for all.”
Matthew Maries is an archaeologist with an MA in the Conservation of Historic Buildings and a particular interest in churches.
He currently works for the National Churches Trust; delivering the “Cherish” Project across Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
Born and raised in Wakefield, where he still lives, Matthew has visited churches, chapels and meeting houses across the diocese (and beyond).
He also sits on the national Listed Buildings Advisory Committee for the Methodist Church.
Matthew said: “I can normally be found in the nearest (or oldest) church wherever I happen to be, both at work and on the weekends.
“I’m looking forward to bringing my archaeological and conservation expertise to the DAC as well as being able to offer plenty of firsthand experience working with a range of churches.
“I want to help keep these buildings in use far into the future.
“Making sure they retain their unique heritage values, whilst also keeping up with the diverse needs of modern church use.”
Find out more about our new DAC here.