Ed Simons

Ed Simons had a long association with Wessex Archaeology but joined in 2019 as Head of International Heritage Management. His role builds on his experience of working outside the UK to bring the skills of Wessex Archaeology to the wider world. Ed has worked in heritage management for over 25 years, with projects ranging from interpretation of Jordanian castles to management plans of vast colonial fortifications on St Helena Island. In recent years he has been working on repurposing and conserving the whaling stations of the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. Ed still carries out consultancy and management work in the UK and has a particular interest in assessing significance. He has been the heritage masterclass tutor to the Royal Town Planning Institute since 2013.

Ed's main motivation is putting together teams of exceptional people to do brilliant things. Heritage can make a hugely positive contribution to communities and to the environment and making this happen is a joy.

Ed is a Reader at the Centre for Remote Environments (University of Dundee). He has also recently been made a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society; He's also a full member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation.

Ed frequently give talks and lectures and, on occasion, appear on TV and radio. Particularly in relation to his work on historic kitchens and food, he has recently been involved with the interpretation of Neolithic food at Stonehenge and for 15 years he was part of the innovative Hampton Court Palace experimental kitchens project.