With over 40 years' experience in both public and private practice, Stephen has worked across an extraordinary range of historic buildings. The scope of building types and projects is prodigious, covering every aspect of the field, with many clients returning repeatedly — a reflection of trust built over time.

‍

A tenacious problem-solver, he relishes a challenge and takes a pragmatic, hands-on approach. He has developed an enviable track record in securing planning and listed building consents, often finding workable solutions where others have failed.

‍

At Levrant, Stephen leads professional teams with a focus on mentoring and developing others' abilities. His extensive knowledge and experience — backed by an equally extensive library — are shared generously across the practice. Creativity and quality are at the heart of his approach, and he finds absolute satisfaction in the day-to-day work, the craft of conservation, and the joy of delivering meaningful results for clients alongside a collaborative and capable team.

Susanna joined the company in December 2013 after running her own business in London. She trained as a graphic artist and designer, gaining her Pre-Dip at the Wimbledon School of Art, and then studied film animation at Plymouth Art School. She became a successful wholesaler and retailer in Covent Garden, travelling to India and China to manufacture and source new products, which she sold to major stores and shops.

‍

Her experience and knowledge of running her own business have been a stabilising and supportive force for all staff, and her ability to learn new skills has enabled her to work alongside her husband, Stephen Levrant, as Financial Director.

Francesca brings decades of experience in heritage conservation to Levrant since 2005, shaped by work on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Chile and Nepal, as well as landmark projects across the UK. As a RIBA Specialist Conservation Architect, she specialises in the conservation and repair of listed buildings and sensitive contemporary interventions in historic settings. Her pragmatic, collaborative approach helps clients navigate complex planning and legislation, and meet unique restoration challenges.

‍
Francesca has led significant projects, including the centenary restoration of the Liberty Department Store, and is currently overseeing the restoration of Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios. She also advises on heritage portfolios for the University of London and King’s College London.

‍
Appointed Practice Director in 2020, Francesca plays a key role in shaping the firm’s direction. Known for her passion, warmth, and integrity, she fosters a collaborative team culture. She takes pride in the collective achievements of the practice, seeing it not just as a workplace, but as a professional community.

Kirsten leads the Manchester team and is a heritage professional with over 20 years’ experience managing high-profile heritage projects for public and private sector clients across the UK. Having cut her teeth working for the RIBA and the Georgian Group, she joined Levrant in 2011 from Mouchel. In this global consultancy group, she led the delivery of several large EIA projects and planning applications. Kirsten is the former Secretary of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation’s North West Branch and a member of the Northern Buildings Committee for the Victorian Society, positions she held for over 10 years.

‍

Her strong leadership and communication skills result in practical, strategic, and commercial advice, ensuring complex heritage projects are managed efficiently and effectively. Kirsten brings unique insight to roles within multi-disciplinary teams and organisations, having provided heritage input on over 10 Strategic Regeneration Frameworks for Manchester City Council and masterplans for key city centre sites in Leeds. Her project experience is extensive and includes delivering the heritage input to the feasibility stage of the Grade I listed Manchester Town Hall refurbishment project and the restoration of the Category A listed Tarlair Lido Pavilion in Scotland.

Lee has worked in the heritage sector across the North West since graduating from the University of Glamorgan in 2006. Based in our Manchester office, Lee has been involved in several high-profile schemes where his tenacious research skills and knowledge of historic sites allow him to provide pragmatic design solutions and problem-solving as part of the project team.

‍

Lee has extensive experience preparing heritage reports and has worked on a wide range of historic buildings, from the medieval period through to the late 20th century, across a variety of building types.

‍

Lee has a passion for all things terracotta and loves historic wallpaper and lino.

‍

Vicky is a highly experienced Heritage Consultant with over 14 years’ experience across leading planning and heritage consultancies in London, Yorkshire and the northwest, and Edinburgh, including Turnberry Consulting and Donald Insall Associates. She also spent time at Historic Environment Scotland, where she gained invaluable public-sector insight and a pragmatic understanding of the complex challenges involved in managing the historic environment.

‍

Her portfolio spans projects of all scales, from small, sensitive interventions to strategic conservation strategies and masterplanning. She has led Conservation Area Appraisals and Conservation Management Plans, and delivered heritage training to a wide range of audiences. Known for her approachable and collaborative style, Vicky works closely with clients and design teams to shape practical, thoughtful solutions. She has a particular interest in how cultural heritage can adapt and thrive within changing landscapes - especially in response to climate change - and in navigating the delicate balance between regeneration and gentrification, meaningful community engagement, and the protection of character and identity.

‍

Since joining Levrant’s London office in 2023, Vicky has brought fresh perspective and a hands-on, solutions-focused approach to the team. She holds a BA (Hons) in Interior Design and an MSc in Architectural Conservation from the University of Edinburgh, and has been a full member of the IHBC since 2017. She previously served on the Design Review Panel North West, providing specialist heritage advice on major schemes across the region.

Sarah Stirling is an experienced heritage consultant based in our Manchester office. After graduating with a Master’s in World Heritage Management from the University of Birmingham in 2015, Sarah worked for Civic Voice. During that time, she principally focused on the War Memorials Listing Project.

‍

Sarah joined the team in 2019 and has since worked on a broad range of heritage projects across the city and the North West. Her principal role is to provide specialist advice on development proposals that may impact the built historic environment.

Matilda joined Levrant in January 2024 with over 15 years’ experience in the heritage and conservation sector. Her background spans both public and private practice, including roles with the Georgian Group, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and the London Borough of Enfield.

‍

Holding an MSt in Building History from the University of Cambridge, she has worked on projects ranging from modest urban buildings to major eighteenth-century estates and landscapes. This breadth of experience gives her a strong understanding of heritage legislation, architectural history, and the practicalities of caring for historic places.

‍

Matilda takes a collaborative, research-driven approach, believing that every building’s story should guide its conservation. She combines detailed analysis with a pragmatic, solutions-focused mindset and enjoys helping clients navigate the balance between heritage sensitivity and modern needs.

‍

At Levrant, Matilda contributes to heritage assessments, conservation advice, and research across a range of projects. She brings academic insight, practical experience, and a clear, balanced perspective to deliver well-informed, sensitive outcomes. She values the collaborative spirit of the practice and enjoys working alongside colleagues and clients who share a passion for protecting and celebrating architectural heritage.

Bianca joined Levrant in October 2024 as our Office Manager. Although new to the architectural field, she brings a wealth of experience from a varied career, having worked as a PA, Office Manager, and Prison Officer.

‍

Bianca takes a methodical approach to streamlining and improving processes and procedures, ensuring the smooth, efficient running of the practice. Her strong interest in architecture and the arts, paired with her versatile skill set, makes her a valuable addition to the team.

‍

Outside of work, Bianca is actively involved in Scouting and enjoys travelling, trying new experiences, and exploring heritage buildings through her National Trust membership. She also treasures spending quality time with family and friends.

Cath works for Levrant in Bristol and supports the practice’s work across the UK. She has worked in various roles in architecture and design practices since completing her undergraduate degree in 2012. Cath joined Levrant in 2019 after winning the Stephen Levrant Prize during her Postgraduate Diploma in Historic Conservation at Oxford Brookes University.

‍

At Levrant, Cath has worked on a variety of historic and listed building projects and has provided design advice and assessments for new-build schemes in sensitive historic environments. She has provided conservation and design guidance in the form of conservation area appraisals on behalf of local authorities and conservation management plans, including one for Folkestone’s Leas Lift (Grade II*), a treasured community asset that received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.

‍

Cath particularly enjoys projects that pose planning or legislative challenges and has enjoyed crafting creative, robust written arguments while working on planning appeals.

Paola is a Senior Conservation Architect and accredited RIBA Conservation Architect (RIBA CA) with a lifelong passion for historic buildings and landscapes. She studied architecture at the Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II" before completing a postgraduate specialisation in Heritage and Historic Landscape (SSBAP, Naples). Her early career in Italy saw her working on some of Europe's most treasured landmarks, including the Colosseum in Rome and Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan — experiences that nurtured her deep appreciation for craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

‍

With over a decade of experience, Paola enjoys the balance between research, design, and hands-on conservation. She has developed expertise in condition surveys, repair schedules, and detailed design, and approaches each project with enthusiasm and care. She values collaboration and is motivated to find practical, thoughtful solutions that respect a building's history and story.

‍

Since joining Levrant in 2019, Paola has worked across all RIBA stages on several projects throughout London. Between 2019 and 2021, she served as the site architect for Liberty's Grade II* Tudor building. At Levrant, she brings curiosity, energy, and enthusiasm, and values being part of a team dedicated to protecting and celebrating historic places.

Isobel graduated with a BA in History in 2019, followed by an MA in the Conservation of Historic Buildings from the University of York in 2024, and joined the London office of Levrant later that year.

‍

Since joining the practice, she has worked across a range of projects, primarily involving alterations to listed buildings and those within conservation areas. She has also contributed to more unusual cases, including the rationalisation of unconsented works and a successful delisting application. Isobel has enjoyed helping to produce broader strategic documents such as a Conservation Area Appraisal (CAA) for Covent Garden and a Conservation Management Plan (CPA) for a 16th-century timber-framed hunting lodge.

‍

She brings a thoughtful, research-led approach to her work and values the team's collaborative nature. Isobel particularly enjoys how the work deepens her understanding of London's history and how its built environment reflects the city's evolution — informing her approach to balancing architectural change with respect for historic fabric and context.

Claire has worked at Levrant since 2022, having joined after completing her MSc in Historic Conservation at Oxford Brookes University. She received the Stephen Levrant Prize in 2020. Before joining the practice, she worked for Waltham Forest Council for five years, her final role being Workforce Development Manager providing her with public sector and procurement experience.

‍
She is a valued part of our London team, offering specialist heritage- and townscape-related advice. Her project experience has taken her around the UK, working primarily with designated and non-designated heritage assets, providing heritage-led advice to inform and assist successful planning applications. Her portfolio and interests stretch to assessing new development within the historic built environment through the preparation of Heritage, Townscape and Visual Impact Assessments (HTVIAs).

‍
Claire is known for her attention to detail and enjoys collaborative working. She is particularly interested in understanding a building’s evolution, the tangible connection it holds with the past, the characteristics of places, designed landscapes and the relationship between contextual design and townscape.

John joined Levrant in 2020 and quickly established himself as a key member of the team. His early contributions included supporting the reinstatement of the fire at KOKO, Camden, where he played a vital role in the timber-frame dome reconstruction package.

‍

Recently qualified and registered as an architect, John completed his Part 3 at the University of Westminster while working with Levrant, building on a strong academic background that includes a BA (Hons) in Architecture from the University of Brighton, an MArch from the University of the West of England (Bristol), and an MSc in Building Conservation undertaken between his Part 1 and 2.

‍

Guided by an enthusiasm for conservation and craftsmanship, John has developed a particular interest in the behaviour and use of traditional materials, inspired by the principles of SPAB. He has gained extensive experience in conservation architecture and heritage consultancy during his time with Levrant. Building on insights from his recent Part 3 studies in sustainability and the implications of the Building Safety Act regulatory framework, John brings a thoughtful and innovative approach to every project, making him an invaluable contributor to Levrant’s work.

Marie joined the London office in September 2019. Before this, she built her career in other areas of construction, working as a Personal Assistant (PA) to a board of five directors at a leading concrete-frame subcontractor, and later as PA and Office Manager at a civil engineering firm.

‍

In her current role, Marie is Stephen’s PA. Also, she provides valuable support to the London team, assisting with project-related tasks, coordinating bids and tenders, and delivering general administrative support. In addition, she manages the company’s social media presence, helping to grow our following significantly in recent years.

‍

Since joining the business, Marie has enjoyed expanding her knowledge in a new field. She looks forward to continuing her professional growth while supporting the team in every way she can.

Sabrina joined Levrant in October 2023 after receiving the Stephen Levrant Prize. She has studied and worked in the UK and abroad with practices specialising in architecture, heritage consultancy, and architectural conservation.

‍

With this varied background, Sabrina enjoys working in detail across a range of tasks — from site surveys and drawings to research and construction work. She is a highly dedicated team member who brings logic and order to everything she does.

Holly joined the Levrant team in Manchester in 2025, following two years as the sole heritage consultant for a planning consultancy in Leeds. Her project experience ranges from providing advice on the restoration, transformation, and repair of listed buildings, non-designated heritage assets, and redundant historic sites to liaising with project teams on the heritage and visual sensitivities of complex, multi-faceted development schemes involving hundreds of new homes or large tower buildings. 

‍

Holly graduated with a BA in History from the University of Alberta, Canada, in 2022, followed by an MA in Heritage Studies from the University of Manchester in 2023. She is particularly interested in the character of buildings and their role within the wider area, as well as the intangible associations of heritage.

Li Lu joined the Levrant London office in 2025 as an Assistant Heritage Consultant. She studied Architecture at University College Dublin before completing an MSc in Architectural Conservation at the University of Edinburgh in 2024. Her dissertation examined the adaptive reuse of church buildings in the Irish landscape, exploring their cultural significance and practical future reimaginings.

‍

Before joining the practice, Li Lu worked as an architectural assistant on historic structures and urban regeneration projects, gaining hands-on experience in conservation-based design. At Levrant, she is building on this experience, contributing to a range of heritage consultancy projects while expanding her knowledge of the assessment and repair of England’s historic environment.