Elizabeth Smith  

Elizabeth Smith is a highly regarded architect and heritage leader, and Chair of Purcell since 2021. She led the practice’s role as heritage architect on the transformation of the Grade I-listed National Portrait Gallery, in collaboration with Jamie Fobert Architects, a project shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2024.

A recognised voice in the profession, Liz established and presented the inaugural RIBA Conservation Award in 2026. She is a member of the RIBA Awards Jury and Westminster Design Review Panel.

A passionate advocate for progressive conservation, Liz believes that heritage offers opportunities for innovative design creativity. Inspired by place, she champions an approach that celebrates architectural heritage while securing sustainability, relevance, and vibrancy of historic buildings for the communities they serve.

Throughout her career, Liz has demonstrated exceptional creativity and expertise, contributing to award-winning projects at some of the UK’s most significant historic places, including Chatsworth, the V&A Museum, the British Museum, Royal Museums Greenwich, Windsor Castle, and Kensington Palace. She recently led the award-winning restoration of Grade I-listed North Wing at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, safeguarding its remarkable architectural heritage while opening the building to the public for the first time in nearly 300 years.

Committed to nurturing the next generation of conservation architects and designers, Liz plays a leading role in Purcell’s Learning and Development programmes. She founded and continues to lead the annual Purcell Conservation School, which provides specialist training in traditional building conservation skills. She has also been instrumental in developing the Purcell Academy, supporting senior colleagues in strengthening the leadership, technical and design expertise needed to deliver complex conservation, refurbishment and adaptive reuse projects.

An accomplished public speaker and advocate for the built environment, Liz has also brought her expertise to a wider audience through television, appearing as the conservation architect on Channel 4 TV’s Phil Spencer’s Stately Homes.