Chair of Trustees

Following the expiry of his three year term as Chair of Heritage of London Trust (HOLT), Sir Laurie Magnus CBE has announced his decision to step down from the role in March 2026.

Since joining the Board in 2023, Sir Laurie has brought immense levels of expertise, developed a robust governance framework and overseen an expansion of the charity which, under his leadership, has grown its portfolio of heritage projects, opened a new community and skills hub in the City of London and acquired David Bowie’s childhood home, with a view to restoring it and opening it as a visitor attraction and youth engagement centre. He has been an invaluable source of knowledge, guiding the charity with dedication and care.

We are delighted to announce John Phillips, trustee of HOLT, will become Chair from March 2026.

Sir Laurie said:

“I want to thank everybody involved with HOLT - trustees, volunteers, donors and above all Nicola and the staff - for their passion and dedication and for making my time as chair so inspiring, enjoyable and rewarding. HOLT has exciting times ahead – playing a defining role in the restoration of London’s precious heritage, preparing the recently acquired Bowie House for public viewing as soon as possible and continuing to deliver the brilliant Proud Places programme to nurture our nation’s next generation of heritage custodians. I am delighted that John Phillips is to be my successor and have no doubt that HOLT is set fair to achieve great things in future. I remain a committed Patron and much look forward to contributing to HOLT’s continuing success.”

Dr Nicola Stacey, Director of HOLT, said:

“I and everyone at HOLT thank Laurie for his guidance and support through the last three years and wish him well with his many other commitments. Laurie has been a fantastic steward of the charity over the last three years and leaves HOLT and the Board well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead. We are thrilled that John Phillips, who has been instrumental in developing our ground-breaking Proud Places programme over the last five years, is taking the helm.”

Appointed incoming Chair, John Phillips, trustee of HOLT, said:

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Sir Laurie for his outstanding contribution since 2023. He has played a pivotal role in its strategic development and he is a master of Board oversight. The charity is now well positioned to build on its increasing expertise in

public engagement, transforming the way communities view and value heritage. I am delighted to be appointed as Chair and looking forward to being involved in its continued success.”

Restoration of Hanbury fountain

We were thrilled to unveil the restored Hanbury Drinking Fountain in Wimbledon yesterday.

Over 100 local people joined us to celebrate the restoration and relocation of the fountain including the Mayor of Merton, Cllr Martin Whelton, and pupils from Ursuline High School and Wimbledon College.

The ornate Victorian fountain is a striking example of the 19th century fascination with classical architecture. Modelled on the 4th century BC Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens, it reflects a period when classical Greek design shaped Britain’s public monuments and civic spaces.

It has been moved to the bustling Wimbledon High Street from its former Wimbledon Common site in order to serve a higher number of passers-by with free, fresh drinking water.

As well as being brought back to working order, the restoration project included new piping as well as work to the heavily corroded cast iron fountain pillars and gilded lettering.

This is the19th historic drinking fountain restored by HOLT. In 2023 Heritage of London Trust restored the Toynbee Fountain in Wimbledon.

108 local young people were involved during the project as part of the Proud Places programme, including from Malden Oaks alternative provision school.

Local residents and school children were delighted with the project.

Steve Graham, Managing Director, Imago Interiors said:

“The relocation is fantastic, it’s in an active area and as a landmark is iconic, it will be forever. To see the interaction from the schools that have been involved; it's great to see them talk with confidence and you can see people that maybe might not be used to speaking in public master that. Excellent attendance for the event too!”

Robert Moses, local resident, said:

“I think the relocation is fabulous, it puts the whole thing front and centre, because where it was in the past it was largely out of sight, out of mind. The work that has been done here is brilliant, the idea for it to have fresh running water. Now we have the Toynbee Fountain at one end giving fresh drinking water and this at this end. I think it’s brilliant, I’m really delighted.”

Ben, age 16, from Wimbledon College said:

"This drinking fountain represents the ability to bring more to locals. It's a necessity for all of us, even though some of us here may not be from an English heritage, we all need water to survive. With projects like this we can come together as a community and a culture to do something good for everyone.”

Emily, 15, Malden Oaks Lower School Richmond (AP) said:

"I think it's a good idea to move the fountain to Wimbledon village because it's then in a more social and beautiful area. People will be able to see the horses walking through as well as the fountain."

Thanks to the support of the Jones Day Foundation and to Merton Council and the Wimbledon Society for working with us on this project.

Read more about the project in the press here.

Young Heritage Hero Award

This week, our Proud Places Ambassador Destine Pinzi received The Heritage Alliance's prestigious Young Heritage Hero Award, which celebrates the contribution of a volunteer under the age of 30 who has gone above and beyond for a heritage organisation.

Destine started volunteering with Heritage of London Trust's Proud Places programme three years ago when she was just 15 and has been a fantastic support throughout her time with us. She has helped facilitate visits and workshops for more than 500 young people and contributed to over fifteen Heritage of London Trust sites and projects, including Bowie Bandstand, Columbia Market Gates and Merton Priory Wall.

She led community engagement with the Leaning Woman project, designing posters and knocking on doors with primary school pupils to build community awareness of the restoration.

She has given speeches at the House of Lords for a Speakers Trust event, the Proud Places Conference at Burlington House in 2023, and at a King’s College Heritage Careers event in 2024. Since 2023, she has addressed multiple audiences, receiving glowing feedback for her passion and eloquence.

On her role as Proud Places ambassador, Destine says:

"Proud Places has helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect, such as speaking in Parliament and leading workshops with young people from a wide range of backgrounds. The Proud Places programme has helped me connect with my community by sparking my interest in the history behind where I live. I’m now studying Politics at university and I’m passionate about creating change, widening access and ensuring that heritage is inclusive for all generations."

Reflecting on her Young Heritage Hero award,

“Heritage shouldn't just be focused on kings or queens, but make it local, make it impactful to [young people]. How will it relate to me? How will it relate to my studies? How will it relate to my life? Young people need to see other young people who look like them doing this… I personally don't like mentioning race, but it has a part to play. Heritage needs to be more diverse because history shows everyone's story and not just one. Young people don't have a good relationship with history, so make it about them, because history is for everyone.”

We look forward to following Destine's journey as she continues to grow into the change-maker she has already started to become.

The Proud Places programme is generously supported by The Jones Day Foundation.