In an important development for the Foundation for Jewish Heritage, it is pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine Findlay who will serve as Project Officer, working with Chief Executive Michael Mail.
Katherine comes to the Foundation with a wealth of experience in the heritage sector. She is an experienced project manager with a particular interest in historic buildings, landscapes and archives. She has run engagement and conservation projects at sites ranging from Bronze Age hillforts to Second World War airfields. During the First World War centenary, she was responsible for Devon Remembers, one of largest and most successful county-level research and commemoration initiatives in the UK. This included building relations with Plymouth Synagogue and she has worked on a number of historic places of worship including the 12th century St Nicholas Priory in Exeter. She is also a researcher and writer, and is the author of The Icelandic Adventures of Pike Ward. Before joining the Foundation, Katherine led a specialist team planning the £54 million restoration of Oldway Mansion, the magnificent estate built for sewing machine entrepreneur Isaac Singer. In her spare time, Katherine is chair of Devon History Society.
The Foundation recently undertook a five year strategy review and the creation of a Project Officer position was one of the key recommendations arising from it. The position will enable the Foundation to strengthen its capacity, developing its various current projects while expanding its work and impact in the Jewish heritage sector.
Katherine stated: ‘I'm delighted to join the Foundation for Jewish Heritage team. Historic synagogues and Jewish cemeteries give us tangible connections to a hugely important aspect of European history, culture and memories, but many are at risk of disappearing. I'm very much looking forward to contributing to the vital work the Foundation does to conserve and revitalise these special places.’
Dame Helen Hyde, Chair of the Foundation for Jewish Heritage, remarked: ‘We welcome Katherine to the team and feel sure that, given her experience and expertise, she will make an important contribution to our work.’
Michael Mail, Chief Executive of the Foundation for Jewish Heritage, added: ‘This is an important step forward for the Foundation as we seek to build our organisational abilities and improve our support to the Jewish heritage sector. I am looking forward to working with Katherine as we develop our agenda of work.’