About
Catherine Dewar
I’m Catherine, an urban planner by training and in heart… passionate about making places that not only work but that also bring people joy.
I provide progressive, strategic leadership, advice and expertise based on a foundation of 30 years working across England in the development, heritage and culture sectors, the last ten years as Regional Director for Historic England, working across the north.
During this time, I have led teams working on regeneration and development projects and collaborated with developers, consultants, other Government agencies, and Local/Combined Authorities. I also bring experience in managing the impacts of climate change on historic places, having worked for a year as Historic England’s Director of Climate Change Programme.
I particularly love the everyday heritage that’s all around us, such as an old industrial building showing the scars of use…and seeing it brought back to life in a fun and creative way.
I have recently taken up a new Board role with Oyez Arts, a Community Benefit Society that runs the old Town Hall in Altrincham as an art and community hub.
Outside of work, I help to organise a local film club showing independent films to about 50 people once a month.
More than anything, I love travel…exploring new cities, finding hidden neighbourhoods and pointing at buildings…a busman’s holiday really…with added wine!
Get in touch to explore how Catherine can inform your plans.
Experience
Historic England
Regional Director, North West
2015 – 2026
Senior regional lead and advocate for the historic environment, shaping how heritage is understood and delivered within development. Built strong relationships with the development sector, transforming perceptions of Historic England and establishing a more collaborative, enabling approach to advice.
Led the development and delivery of the first three cohorts of Heritage Action Zones, supporting regeneration through heritage-led strategies. Regularly represented Historic England through public speaking, panel discussions and media engagement.
Historic England
Climate Change Programme Director
2022 – 2023 (National Role)
Led phase one of Historic England’s climate change strategy, overseeing delivery of key projects and raising the profile of climate issues across the organisation and wider sector.
Worked closely with government departments, civil servants and ministers to influence policy, including leading a national review into barriers to retrofitting listed buildings. Established Historic England’s organisational position on climate change, shaping future guidance and advice.
English Heritage
Principal Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas, North East
2012 – 2015
Led a team providing senior-level advice on complex heritage and development projects, supporting the protection and sustainable evolution of historic places.
English Heritage
Historic Areas Advisor, North East
2003 – 2012
Advised on the management and regeneration of historic areas, contributing to place-based strategies and conservation-led development.
Birmingham City Council
Principal Conservation Officer
2000 – 2003
Led conservation advice within a major local authority, supporting planning decisions and the stewardship of historic assets.
Portsmouth City Council
Senior Planning Officer (Conservation)
1995 – 2000
Delivered conservation and planning advice on historic buildings and areas, building early expertise in heritage-led development.
Outside of Work
Committee member of the Altrincham Film Club: We're a group of film lovers who show an indie short and main film every month to about 50 members and non members at Altrincham Town Hall. Our members pay us each month to find them some great films to watch and to enjoy the collective experience of watching a film together in a beautiful historic building.
Steering Group member of Common Good, a group of built environment professionals working together in our spare time to improve the processes that deliver urban change, raising the quality of the everyday environment, and using our skills and networks to engage a broader range of people in the definition and pursuit of the common good.
Member of Expert Advisory Board for FuturHist, a European programme researching and testing energy-efficient retrofit interventions tailored to historic building typologies.
Trustee of the Macclesfield Silk Heritage Trust, latterly as Vice-Chair (2016 – 2022).
Media experience/presence
BBC Breakfast News April 2024 (scroll to 2:20)
Podcast interview for Deloitte UK’s Futureproofed Podcast April 2025 Heritage Works for Housing
Judging
Festival of Place Pineapple Awards Judge 2019 - 2025
Past Judge for Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, North East and North West Renaissance Awards
