NFB joins member D A Cook at heritage careers fair in Worcester Cathedral

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) joined its member D A Cook (Builders) at the West Midlands Heritage careers fair at Worcester Cathedral on 21 October 2026 to promote traditional construction skills to would-be heritage professionals.

NFB Strategy and Technical Manager Mia Silverfield attended on behalf of the trade body. The federation said the event brought together people interested in heritage careers and the skills needed to preserve historic buildings.

Mia Silverfield, Strategy and Technical Manager at the National Federation of Builders, said: "Protecting our built heritage means investing in the skills and people that make its future possible."

She added: "By working together as an industry, we can help ensure that the knowledge and craftsmanship needed to care for our historic buildings continue to thrive."

The fair

The fair was organised by West Midlands Heritage, which Worcester Cathedral said acted on behalf of the West Midlands Heritage & Heritage Network. The cathedral listed Heritage Network, Worcester Cathedral and The National Lottery Heritage Fund as supporters.

According to the organiser's event page, the fair ran on Wednesday 21 October from 10am, and was open to students interested in careers across the heritage industry, young professionals already in the sector and anyone with an interest in heritage who may be considering a career change.

Exhibitors covered career paths from conservation to education and from archaeology to historic building management. The cathedral's listing said the event targeted students considering careers in museums, archives, conservation, archaeology, historic buildings and architecture.

Organisations were invited to exhibit, give a talk, provide a demonstration or discuss sponsorship. The organiser listed D A Cook (Builders) Ltd as a bronze sponsor, with Marrons, described as a national multi-disciplinary consultancy, as gold sponsor.

West Midlands Heritage said the heritage sector relies on attracting talented, passionate people with a wide range of skills.

D A Cook

The NFB described D A Cook (Builders) as a family business founded in 1968 that specialises in the repair, restoration and adaptation of historic buildings. The federation said the company has worked with organisations including the National Trust, English Heritage and Natural England.

On its own website, the firm says its work covers traditional timber framed structures, Cotswold stone manor houses and lime rendered Regency buildings, including buildings of Grade 1, Grade 2* and Scheduled Ancient Monument status. Its work area takes in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire and Oxfordshire.

The NFB's heritage work

The NFB said taking part in events such as the careers fair helps raise awareness of the opportunities open to people considering a career in heritage construction.

The federation said its National Heritage Skills Forum supports members working in heritage and traditional construction and raises awareness of the skills the sector needs.