John Coley and Oliver Burgess join Pick Everard culture and heritage team
Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard has strengthened its capability in the heritage construction and building conservation sector with two key appointments. Oliver Burgess and John Coley join as a senior conservation architect, and director, respectively.
Founded in Leicester in 1866 as an engineering and architectural practice, today, Pick Everard is a UK-based multi-disciplinary consultancy, operating primarily in the built environment. The national practice boasts over 700 employees and 13 UK offices including a head office in Leicester and offices in Glasgow, London, Cardiff and Manchester.
John Coley has joined the firm as director of building services engineering. While Pick Everard looks to expand its culture and heritage team, Coley brings over 25 years of experience in delivering mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems. Projects he has worked on include Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Sydney Opera House, the Barbican Centre and the Imperial War Museum, where he has helped integrate modern building services within highly constrained historic environments, often while maintaining live operations.
Coley noted, “Balancing heritage significance with contemporary standards starts with understanding what is genuinely important about the building and where flexibility exists. I work closely with architects and conservation advisors at an early stage to establish clear principles, allowing proportionate engineering responses that deliver real long-term value rather than standardised solutions. By focusing on targeted measures and clear communication with stakeholders, it is possible to achieve compliant, functional performance while minimising impact on historic fabric.”
Oliver Burgess also joins the culture and heritage team as a senior conservation architect. He brings with him experience in the major renovation of country houses as well as projects at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Stationers’ Hall in London. He has worked in architecture for almost 15 years, specialising in conservation for the last 10 years and completing an MSc in building conservation in 2024.
Burgess added, “I find it extremely rewarding to see buildings that have often been neglected or poorly treated transformed into functional, viable spaces. I also really enjoy uncovering a building’s history and revealing hidden features or stories. The same fundamental approach should apply to most projects, regardless of age. Prioritising the retention of as much existing fabric as possible is both inherently sustainable and good conservation practice. Contrary to what people might expect of a conservation architect, I strongly believe there is a clear role for contemporary design within historic settings. In fact, this is often encouraged by bodies such as Historic England, where a clear distinction between old and new is seen as desirable.”
Coley and Burgess join Pick Everard as it continues to work with some of the UK’s best-loved cultural, heritage and conservation organisations in 2026, including the V&A family of museums and the National Trust. The appointments will enable Pick Everard to meet a rising demand for its specialist knowledge and expertise in maintaining and protecting sites of architectural and cultural significance.
