Case Study: Impact on Organisational Development of Training and Recruitment

Pinnacle Conservation’s background in heritage skills training and getting involved in the programme

The Director of Pinnacle Conservation is a supporter of the development of heritage skills and recognises how important it is for the industry, particularly in light of an ageing workforce. Since its inception in 2018, Pinnacle Conservation has maintained a clear focus on the development and nurturing of heritage skills. Their director explains that this was in part a response to the loss of the renowned firm William Aneley in 2017, which left a gap in the heritage construction workforce and removed a pipeline of training.

Pinnacle Conservation sees hosting apprentices as an essential element of their work. However, Pinnacle acknowledges the financial challenges involved, especially the period between initial training and an apprentice becoming commercially viable.

The Historic Building Skills Programme offered an opportunity for Pinnacle Conservation to continue to provide apprenticeships with the additional funding, meaning there would be no losses to the business. Additionally, Pinnacle Conservation welcomed the opportunity to receive expert guidance from Historic England on best practices for designing and delivering apprenticeship programmes.

Developing their approach to recruitment and training following the programme

Participating in the programme has influenced Pinnacle Conservation to change a range of its practices. They have adopted elements of the programme’s recruitment practices and have developed a more equitable shortlisting process. Their Director explains that CVs are now reviewed by one set of colleagues, while interviews are conducted by another – reducing the potential of unconscious bias and allowing interviewers to focus solely on candidate performance.

Secondly, acknowledging the positive relationship that Historic England built with apprentices through check-ins. This led Pinnacle Conservation to introduce a mentoring scheme where apprentices and selected team members are paired with mentors separate from their line managers. This initiative has not only strengthened internal support systems but also provided valuable insights into apprentice development and wellbeing.

Attracting new opportunities and contacts through the HBS programme

Pinnacle Conservation reported that their involvement in the programme and its association with Historic England has enhanced their reputation within the sector, earning them valuable recognition and opening doors to new opportunities. For example, Bassetlaw Council invited them to tender for the opportunity to develop a heritage skills training course in 2024, which they have since successfully developed, delivered, designed and run and have now moved on to phase two. They believe that this invitation was due to their involvement and association with the HBS programme.

They also explained that the programme has provided them with recognition amongst potential applicants. Students attending a careers fair at York College were already aware of Pinnacle Conservation after seeing social media posts about the HBS programme. This visibility helped position the company as a promising and proactive employer in the eyes of aspiring heritage professionals.

Pinnacle Conservation reflect that the programme has helped elevate their profile as a business that genuinely prioritises heritage skills. It has also allowed them to extend their professional network, not only with Historic England but across the heritage contracting community, fostering valuable exchange within a sector that can often be insular.

Long-term aspirations for heritage skills

Pinnacle Conservation reflect that their long-term aspiration is to establish a heritage skills programme that bridges gaps in the current college curriculum, which often does not include heritage skills and traditional techniques.

A key example within joinery is that the college course does not include any training on how to repair a sash window, whereas 70% of a joiner's workload at Pinnacle Conservation is taken up by undertaking repairs to sash windows.

By developing a supplementary programme, the organisation aims to equip future craftspeople with the specialist knowledge essential for heritage conservation and ensure that critical skills are not lost to time.

Case study prepared in partnership with programme evaluators Harlow Consulting, Data collected by Harlow Consulting, with interviews conducted between May and June 2025