London’s archaeologists dig outside the city limits
London’s leading archaeological organisation, Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), is expanding. From 2011 its new regional UK operation, MetroMOLA, will extend the expertise and services of Museum of London Archaeology to assist developers and organisations across the UK and internationally.
MetroMOLA is launching in response to client demand to operate outside of London. The new company will provide clients with cost-effective and tailor-made local services in dealing with archaeology and built heritage.
From offices in Birmingham, Manchester and Portsmouth, MetroMOLA will provide services including:
• consultancy and advice across all aspects of building and archaeological projects;
• project design;
• historic environment assessments;
• environmental impact assessments;
• heritage planning;
• conservation management;
• archaeological mitigation;
• historic building surveys;
• community engagement project management and advice.
Museum of London Archaeology is one of the largest heritage practices in the UK, providing archaeological advice and services to the property sector for nearly 40 years. Over the past few years MOLA has worked on major schemes in Bath, Shrewsbury, Torquay, the West Midlands and East Anglia. The launch of MetroMOLA sees the culmination of this work in the UK regions and allows MOLA’s services to be more accessible and its results to be wider reaching.
Taryn Nixon, Managing Director of MOLA, said “We value our strong client relationships very highly, and this venture enables us to meet their needs across the UK, blending our skills with local expertise.”
Chris Thomas, Senior Consultant in charge of MetroMOLA, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for us to show that high-quality archaeological products can deliver for clients, local authorities and communities alike, throughout the UK and beyond.”
Spokespeople:
Chris Thomas, Senior Consultant at MOLA in charge of MetroMOLA
Chris Thomas is a Senior Consultant at Museum of London Archaeology and, in addition to that role, heads up the MetroMOLA regional service. Chris has worked for MOLA since 1986 and has managed major projects at Spitalfields and Westminster in London, at Southgate in Bath, the Oxford Radcliffe Project and at Torre Abbey in Devon. Chris provides consultancy services and specialises in complex schemes or those that contain statutorily designated sites. Chris has managed a number of projects outside of the UK. MOLA's international work includes projects in Turkey, Egypt, Hong Kong, Ireland and France.
Mark Sanderson, Regional Project Manager
Mark Sanderson is a historic environment consultant who has worked with private, public and third sector clients. Mark’s background is as a Conservation Officer and then as a consultant providing independent advice and specialist services on built heritage, conservation and below-ground heritage issues arising from planning applications. Mark is a Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation.
Huw Sherlock, Regional Project Manager
Huw has 25 years’ experience as an archaeologist and has been involved with some of the largest excavations of urban medieval sites in the West Midlands. He has acted as the archaeological consultant for major developments such as the redevelopment of the Royal Worcester Porcelain site in Worcester. Huw is a Member of the Institute for Archaeologists.
Peter Owen, Regional Project Manager
Peter has more than a decade of experience providing historic environment advice and services to the private and public sectors within a multi-disciplinary consultancy environment. Prior to that, Peter worked as a field archaeologist for organisations in the UK and abroad. He has a wealth of experience relating to all aspects of the historic environment, encompassing below-ground archaeology and standing buildings: from those of local significance to nationally designated heritage assets such as listed buildings, conservation areas, registered parks and gardens and scheduled monuments. Peter is a Member of the Institute for Archaeologists.
MetroMOLA launched in December 2010 and has offices in Birmingham, Manchester, and Portsmouth. For further information and contact details, please visit www.metromola.com.
Notes to editors:
1. For further information, images or interviews, please contact Meredith Jones on mjones@museumoflondon.org.uk or 020 7410 2252.
2. Museum of London Archaeology has been providing professional archaeological services to the property industry and academic community for the past 30 years. It is an independent division of the Museum of London, one of world’s largest museums of urban history. Meeting the requirements of the planning process efficiently and cost-effectively, Museum of London Archaeology designs innovative projects that lead to a greater understanding of our past. At any one time Museum of London may have around a dozen excavations going on across London.
3. MetroMOLA is Museum of London Archaeology's regional service, providing local cost-effective expert solutions to property sector professionals dealing with archaeology, historic buildings and heritage landscapes. MetroMOLA is underpinned by Museum of London Archaeology's extensive track record of helping clients manage heritage risk. Across the UK and internationally we provide independent advice and tailored services.
