Liz Bailey

Regional Policy Officer

What is your job and how did you come to work for English Heritage?
I am the Regional Policy Officer in the South West. I work with the Regional Director and colleagues to get the historic environment on others' agendas.

When I left university I knew that I wanted to work in heritage conservation. I had a degree in the History of Art with a specialism in architecture and had dealt with EH on a final year project. This contact with the organisation meant that I wanted to apply. I wasn't successful at first, but a year later, with administrative work experience under my belt, I joined the Monuments Protection Programme team as an administrator. From there I moved into regional grants and advice casework, and into this role in 2003.
 
Do you have a typical day?
Not really - this job is about turning your hand to all sorts of things sometimes at quite short notice. Today, for example, I am trying to set up a photo shoot on a boat off Penzance for the cover of a publication! Otherwise, there is a fair amount of written work, a lot of internal and external networking and policy developments to try to keep up to date with.
 
What does it feel like to work for English Heritage?
I left last year due to family relocation, but came back when the opportunity arose, so I have to say that I like working for EH very much! I've seen some amazing places and watched them return to life after major repair projects, but equally there are still buildings and landscapes out there whose future remains uncertain. I like being part of something that can make a difference - but still has its work cut out. The people are great too….!