PAUL BELFORD

The core focus of my professional work is as the founder and CEO of Heritage Innovation a UK-based archaeology and cultural heritage consultancy, working internationally.

Outside of my consultancy work, I also serve:

• as a member of the National Trust's Historic Environment Advisory Group, which provides high-level policy and strategy advice and support to Trustees and senior management.
• as chair of the European Association of Archaeologists' Urban Archaeology Community - a pan-European forum for professional management of urban archaeology and heritage.

• CEO, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust (2013-2023). CPAT was an archaeology and heritage charity providing services to commercial clients, national and local government, and third-sector bodies in Wales and England. It was one of four similar Trusts with around 80 staff and a combined turnover of around GBP 3.5 million.
• Principal Consultant, Nexus Heritage (2010-2013). Nexus was a UK-based for-profit consultancy working internationally, focussing on Europe, west Africa and east Asia.
• Head of Archaeology and Monuments, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (2000-2010). IGMT was one of the UK’s leading independent museums, with an annual turnover of around GBP 9 million. I led archaeology, conservation and regeneration projects in the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site; and also grew a GBP 2 million commercial project portfolio .
• Project Officer, ARCUS (1995-2000). ARCUS was the commercial archaeology consultancy of the University of Sheffield. I  managed and delivered development-driven archaeology projects, specialising in complex urban regeneration schemes involving industrial archaeology and historic buildings.
• Archaeologist, various employers (1991-1995). Technician, supervisor and site director on a wide range of commercial developer-driven and research-led projects in UK, Germany and France; latterly specialising in complex medieval urban archaeology and industrial archaeology.

• Chair, Black Country Living Museum (2020-2025). BCLM is an award-winning independent open-air museum, educational charity and heritage attraction. With over 380,000 visitors every year, and 300 staff, the museum’s annual turnover is around GBP 20 million.
• Chair, Historic Environment Partnership, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (2021-2023). This was a multi-agency partnership to develop and deliver an historic environment action plan as part of the National Park’s overall Management Plan.
• Board Member / Director, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (2009-2012 and 2014-2020). CIfA is a leading professional institute for the UK historic environment sector.
• Chair, Historical Metallurgy Society (2011-2014). The HMS is a specialist society for the cultural heritage of international archaeometallurgy and materials science.

• Member of the Editorial Board of The Historic Environment: Policy and Practice journal (from 2010 until 2026), including a period as reviews editor (2011-2013).
• Member of the Collections and Learning Committee of the former Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (2019-2026), advising the leadership team on academic and curatorial policy.
• Assistant Editor of the academic journal Post-Medieval Archaeology (2009-2011).
• Visiting lecturer for University of Birmingham (Honorary Research Fellow), University of Chester, Birmingham City University, University of York and University of Bristol.

Author, co-author, editor and co-editor of eight books and over 70 articles and book chapters, including both peer-reviewed academic papers and popular publications. Published work includes analyses of policy and practice as well as studies of specific landscapes and sites. 

Please visit the publications page for a full list.

• PhD Archaeology. University of York
• MA Historical Archaeology. University of Sheffield
• BSc. Archaeological Science. University of Sheffield

• FSA. Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London (elected 2008)
• MCIfA. Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (since 2007)