As part of our 30 Years in 30 Days campaign, we are excited to highlight Fiona King’s achievements since joining in 2021. Associate at our London office and a key member of the CREATE team, Fiona’s unique background, expertise, and passion for heritage have made an outstanding impact, culminating in her recent promotion. Fiona has been instrumental in expanding the CREATE team in the southeast, bringing fresh ideas and a deep commitment to her work.

Read more about her incredible journey, achievements, and future vision below.

NAME: Fiona King

ROLE: Associate

QUALIFICATIONS: MSc Built Environment: Sustainable Heritage / MA (Hons.) Anthropology and Sociology

JOINED: June 2021

BACKGROUND:

Several years in communications and PR before undertaking a 13-month flight-free journey around the world travelling on cargo ships. Visiting 31 world heritage sites inspired a move into the heritage sector on my return to the UK. I undertook a heritage MSc and have spent the past thirteen years working in heritage consultancy, including stints at Barker Langham and as a freelancer, before joining Focus in 2021.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS:

• Being promoted to Associate in July 2024.
• Establishing a strong CREATE presence in the London office and growing this part of the business, with the support of London colleagues, in the southeast.
• Growing the team with my first London recruit and supporting them to take full advantage of opportunities in the sector (e.g. starting the AMA qualification).

NOTABLE PROJECTS:

• Dr Johnson’s House
• Glastonbury Abbey House
• Zoological Society of East Anglia, Banham Zoo.

PERSONAL INSIGHTS:

• Motivation: celebrating the value that heritage can bring to our everyday lives and its contribution towards creating interesting places to live, experience and visit.
• Memorable Moments: bouncing across the sands in a 4×4 to visit Hilbre Island, 2 miles offshore from West Kirby in the Wirral to visit the island in advance of undertaking some business planning work for a project [visits to the islands have to be coordinated with the tides].
• Future Vision: continuing to grow and nurture the team and develop stronger crossover working with economic development and assess teams.
• Fun Fact: See above – I have travelled the world on cargo ships.
• Favourite Focus Day: I am fortunate to experience many interesting places on site visits, but as a Scot, a highlight has to be a recent trip to the beautiful Isle of Arran for a project with the Community of Arran Seabed Trust – my first Scottish project.
• Why I love working at Focus: a wonderfully supportive working environment and an incredibly lovely bunch of colleagues.