Rupert Hilton is a CIOB Conservation Certified Specialist and RICS Conservation Accredited Building Surveyor. He was recently appointed at Cliveden Conservation as head of advisory section.
You are now a CIOB Conservation Certified Specialist. What does that mean and what did it entail?
I have been interested in historic buildings from an early age. My father, who was a photographer, took me along to Lancashire mills which he was documenting. These buildings were being demolished at an alarming rate during the mid-late 1980s. This sparked my interest in the historic environment and its importance to our society which has persevered until this day.
The CIOB conservation accreditation, along with the RICS conservation accreditation which I received early this year, represents over 15 years of study, hard work and determination.
My studies began with an undergraduate degree at Nottingham Trent University in 2002, followed by a distance-learning master’s degree in Conservation of the Historic Environment from Reading University in 2009.
I then achieved my professional qualifications with both the CIOB and RICS and finally my conservation accreditations. The qualification gives legitimacy to, and rewards, the work that I have put in over the years. I am proud of my achievement.
You are new to the job at Cliveden Conservation. What are your goals?
I am looking forward to the challenge of developing Cliveden Conservation’s Advisory Section and branching out into new and exciting areas of expertise.
For example, I am looking to use my experience in application of new inspection and repair techniques, such as bespoke 3D-printed solutions, 3D photogrammetry and the application of virtual and augmented reality, and integrating these modern technologies within different areas of the business, adding to its in-house capabilities.
What does a typical day in your job look like?
A typical day might involve writing/checking reports or producing drawings to help clients understand their heritage assets and the best way to repair or maintain them using correct techniques and most appropriate palette of materials.
I am on site two to three days a week either undertaking inspections or managing jobs: Cliveden Conservation deals with many of the most significant buildings in the country. Becoming part of the history of these buildings and having the opportunity to pass them on to the next generation in as good, if not a better, condition than when we found them, is a privilege and a responsibility that I do not take lightly.
