Heritage Innovation

What Heritage Innovation does

Heritage Innovation is a UK-based boutique cultural heritage consultancy founded in 2023 by Dr Paul Belford FSA MCIfA, operating from Shrewsbury under the legal entity Heritage Innovation Limited. The firm provides three principal service lines: heritage consultancy (Heritage Impact Assessments, Conservation Management Plans, archaeological services, historic building recording, and cultural heritage chapters for Environmental Impact Assessments); independent expert witness evidence for planning appeals, public inquiries and civil disputes across England and Wales; and forthcoming CIfA-approved online CPD courses for heritage practitioners, the first of which (Ethics in Archaeological Practice) is scheduled for July 2026.

Its technical capability centres on drone-based aerial survey and photogrammetry, executed under a Civil Aviation Authority UAV licence, with outputs delivered as fully textured, georeferenced 3D models, orthographic images, and CAD-compatible drawings hosted via Sketchfab. The firm combines conventional archaeological and heritage planning expertise with these digital survey techniques, drawing on the founder's prior leadership of heritage assets at the Ironbridge Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site and CEO tenure at Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust. The client base spans UK local government (e.g., Shropshire Council), national heritage bodies (English Heritage, English Heritage Trust), international organisations such as the Butrint Management Foundation in Albania and projects in Saudi Arabia, Romania and Bermuda, alongside private developers, architects and landowners.

Revenue is generated through bespoke project-based professional services fees, with no publicly disclosed pricing and no external institutional funding. GTM is sales-led via professional networks, referrals, conference participation (European Association of Archaeologists, UN Cultural Heritage Symposium), and direct client engagement. The firm explicitly markets a senior-expertise-on-every-project model with no junior dilution, and is positioning to add a subscription/recurring revenue stream through CIfA-approved CPD course delivery from 2026.

Name

Heritage Innovation

Legal name

Heritage Innovation Limited

Website

https://heritageinnovation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Heritage Innovation is a UK-based boutique cultural heritage consultancy founded in 2023 by Dr Paul Belford, delivering Heritage Impact Assessments, Conservation Management Plans, aerial survey and photogrammetry, expert witness services, and forthcoming CIfA-approved CPD courses to developers, architects, landowners, and heritage organisations across the UK and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Heritage Consulting

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH)

Keywords

• Cultural heritage consulting
• Archaeological services
• Heritage impact assessment
• Aerial survey photogrammetry
• Conservation management plans

Headquarters

HQ city

Shrewsbury

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Heritage Consultancy Services: Project-based professional services including Heritage Impact Assessments, Conservation Management Plans, archaeological services, historic building recording, and aerial survey. Fee proposals provided before work begins.
2. Expert Witness Services: Independent written and oral expert witness services for planning appeals, public inquiries and civil disputes in England and Wales.
3. Professional Development Courses: CIfA-approved online CPD courses for heritage practitioners. First course launching July 2026.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Heritage Innovation is a boutique cultural heritage consultancy that delivers expert heritage consultancy services including Heritage Impact Assessments, archaeological advice, historic building recording, and CAA-licensed drone-based aerial survey with photogrammetry and 3D modeling. The firm also provides independent expert witness evidence for legal proceedings and CIfA-approved professional development courses for heritage practitioners.

Product overview

Heritage Innovation is a boutique heritage consultancy practice offering a portfolio of professional services rather than a unified software product. The core offering comprises heritage impact assessments, planning advice, archaeology services, historic building recording, and aerial survey/photogrammetry with 3D modelling capabilities. These services are delivered alongside Conservation Management Plans, Cultural Heritage Management and Business Plans, Disaster Risk Management Plans, Visitor Analysis, and Digital Heritage Interpretation. The practice also offers a CIfA-approved online CPD course on ethics in archaeological practice (launching July 2026) and independent expert witness services for legal proceedings. All services are provided by senior expertise directly, with specialist associates engaged on a project-by-project basis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Heritage Planning Advice Practical, experienced guidance on heritage and planning policy at every stage of projects, from initial feasibility through to consent and beyond. For developers, architects, landowners, and heritage organisations.
• Heritage Impact Assessment Thorough assessment of heritage significance and impact of development proposals, tailored to local planning authority requirements under NPPF and PPW frameworks. Designed for developers, architects, and planning consultants working on projects involving heritage assets.
• Archaeology Services Desk-based assessments, watching briefs, evaluation and management of archaeological works, all delivered to Historic England and CIfA standards. For developers, architects, and heritage organisations.
• Historic Building Recording Level 2, 3 and 4 recording to satisfy pre-commencement planning conditions, undertaken to the highest professional standards. For developers, architects, and private clients needing heritage records.
• Cultural Heritage Chapters for Environmental Impact Assessment Proportionate, policy-compliant heritage chapters for Environmental Statements, prepared in collaboration with wider project teams. For EIA consultants and developers requiring heritage input.
• Aerial Survey and Photogrammetry Accurate measured surveys from drone-based aerial photography, using Civil Aviation Authority licensed UAV operations. Produces georeferenced 3D models of heritage sites, buildings, and landscapes. For heritage organisations, local authorities, and conservation bodies.
• 3D Modelling and Analytical Drawing Fully textured, georeferenced 3D models, orthographic images and CAD-compatible drawings derived from survey data. Models hosted on Sketchfab for client access. For architects, conservation teams, and heritage bodies.
• Conservation Management Plans Rigorous, bespoke Conservation Management Plans that distil the history and significance of a place into a practical framework for long-term conservation and management. For heritage organisations, national bodies, and UNESCO World Heritage Site managers.
• Cultural Heritage Management and Business Plans Integrated management plans addressing operations, interpretation, education, marketing and financial sustainability beyond pure conservation. For heritage organisations and museum operators.
• Disaster Risk Management Plans Comprehensive DRM plans anticipating and mitigating risks from fire, flooding, climate change and visitor erosion for heritage sites. For UNESCO World Heritage Site bodies and national heritage organisations.
• Visitor Analysis and Management Advice Evidence-based strategies for creating sustainable visitor economies around heritage sites and attractions. For heritage site operators and tourism bodies.
• Digital Heritage Interpretation Accessible, engaging digital interpretation for heritage landscapes, historic sites and museum collections. For heritage organisations, museums, and visitor attractions.
• Expert Witness Services Independent written and oral expert witness evidence for planning appeals, public inquiries and civil disputes on heritage significance, setting, planning policy and professional standards across England and Wales. For solicitors, barristers, and legal teams.
• Ethics in Archaeological Practice CPD Course Online continuing professional development course approved by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), developed by the authors of the Routledge textbook on archaeological ethics. Targets mid-career and experienced heritage and archaeology practitioners seeking rigorous, practice-led CPD for professional accreditation.

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AbkonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject manager for Butrint World Heritage Site Conservation Management Plan. Heritage Innovation undertook visitor analysis, disaster risk management planning, and survey work as part of the multinational team.
• Shropshire CouncilcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned for aerial survey and photogrammetry of Cambrian Station to inform ongoing conservation work led by the council.
• English HeritagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned for aerial survey and photogrammetry of Old Oswestry Hillfort for vegetation management and conservation programme.
• J3 Building Futures LLPminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned on behalf of MakeSpace Arts and Well-Being CIC for aerial survey of English Bridge Studios.
• University of BirminghamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject led by Dr Roger White (University of Birmingham) for Wroxeter Roman City research project.
• English Heritage TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWork undertaken on behalf of English Heritage Trust for Wroxeter Roman City, including aerial photography and photogrammetry.
• Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation body that has approved Heritage Innovation's CPD course. Dr Belford serves as Board Director of CIfA.
• National TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr Belford is a member of National Trust's Historic Environment Advisory Group, providing strategic advice to Trustees and senior management.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wessex Archaeology: UK-based heritage and archaeology consultancy offering heritage impact assessments, fieldwork, and specialist heritage services. Direct competitor to Heritage Innovation with similar planning-system and conservation advisory work, though at significantly larger scale.
• Cotswold Archaeology: One of the UK's largest archaeological consultancies providing heritage services to developers, planners, and public bodies. Directly comparable to Heritage Innovation across planning advice, fieldwork, and historic building recording, with overlapping professional standards (CIfA).
• Oxford Archaeology: Long-established UK archaeological and heritage consultancy offering heritage assessments, fieldwork, and post-excavation services. Comparable service portfolio (heritage impact, planning, conservation) and similar client mix of developers, local authorities, and national bodies.
• AOC Archaeology: UK heritage consultancy providing planning advice, historic environment assessments, and conservation services to developers, architects, and public sector clients. Closely comparable service mix and client base to Heritage Innovation.
• MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology): Major UK archaeology and heritage consultancy delivering heritage assessments, fieldwork, and post-excavation services. Comparable to Heritage Innovation in scope of planning and conservation work, though with significantly greater resources and institutional backing.
• Headland Archaeology: UK and Ireland-based heritage consultancy providing archaeological and historic environment services to developers and public bodies. Direct competitor in heritage impact assessments, planning advice, and building recording.
• Pre-Construct Archaeology: UK heritage consultancy delivering archaeological and heritage services across planning, fieldwork, and built-heritage recording. Direct competitor to Heritage Innovation in the heritage/planning advisory segment.

Broad incumbents

• RPS Group: Large multinational consultancy with a heritage and archaeology practice serving planning, infrastructure, and development clients. Broader and larger-scale alternative to Heritage Innovation, often competing on tendered framework work.
• WSP: Global professional services firm with heritage and cultural heritage teams embedded in infrastructure and environmental impact assessment work. Larger incumbent that Heritage Innovation may partner with or compete against on EIA heritage chapters.
• SLR Consulting: Global environmental and advisory consultancy with heritage and cultural heritage capabilities as part of broader EIA and planning services. Broader-scale competitor for heritage chapters and large development-related heritage work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/herinovation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heritage-innovation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Heritage Innovation