Malcolm Crowder OBE 1933-2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Malcolm Crowder OBE on 19 July 2026 at the age of 92. A founder member and first Chair of the United Kingdom Association of Building Preservation Trusts (UKAPT), the organisation from which Heritage Network developed, Malcolm played a pivotal role in shaping the network that supports community heritage organisations across the UK today.

Established in 1989, UKAPT provided building preservation trusts with a forum to discuss common issues, share experiences, pool ideas and offer mutual support and advice. Malcolm remained on the board for many years and continued his involvement with the organisation, following its transition to Heritage Trust Network, as one of our regional committee members. At our inaugural conference as Heritage Trust Network, Malcolm was presented with an Extraordinary People Award in recognition of his many important contributions to both the Network and the wider built heritage sector.

It was not until 2018 that Malcolm stepped back from governance responsibilities. He remained a member, however, and saw the organisation he helped establish evolve into today's Heritage Network. Through the Network's continued work, his vision of collaboration, mutual support and knowledge-sharing across the sector lives on.

Malcolm's contribution to the heritage sector cannot be overstated. Alongside his many years of service to the Network, he was actively involved with a number of organisations working to rescue, restore and reuse historic buildings. Through his professional expertise, leadership and commitment to conservation, he helped to safeguard important heritage assets and inspired countless others working within the sector.

Everyone at Heritage Network extends their condolences to Malcolm's family, friends and colleagues. We are deeply grateful for his dedication, wisdom and leadership over many decades. His contribution to Heritage Network and the wider heritage movement leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit communities and historic places for generations to come.

Malcolm will be remembered as one of the most influential figures in architectural conservation helping to safeguard some of Norwich’s most treasured historic buildings.

After working in the estates department at the UEA Malcolm joined Norwich Preservation Trust (external link) (opens in new tab) in 1975, just nine years after its foundation by Norwich City Council and the Norwich Society. Over the next 43 years he pioneered the Trust’s role as a “restorer of last resort”, taking on complex and often commercially unviable projects for the benefit of the city and its people.

Malcolm led the conservation of many fine buildings in Norwich, such as the Grade II* listed Augustine Steward’s House in Tombland, the Grade II* thatched Briton’s Arms, and the great 16th Century Grade II* listed merchant’s house at 11-15 Fye Bridge Street, now home to the Anteros Arts Foundation. But the main thrust of the Trust’s work under his direction was the preservation and restoration of the historic dwellings and business places of the ordinary merchants and working citizens of Norwich.

Malcolm worked tirelessly for NPT, his meagre retainer never reflecting the value of the time he gave to the Trust. He was hugely knowledgeable on the finer details of conservation and took great pride in the heritage craft skills used to repair our buildings. In his words,

“Our work is varied, no project is the same, and the quality of the work we seek and find amongst the local skills and expertise is exceptional and it is good to feel that our projects go some way to help maintain these.”

NPT was a founder member of the UK Association of Preservation Trusts (now the Heritage Network) with Malcolm taking the role of its first Chair. He was on the Board of the Architectural Heritage Fund overseeing grants distributed to preservation projects nationwide.

Malcolm’s conservation expertise was not restricted to Norwich, at the North Norfolk Historic Building Trust he saved Paston Great Barn, although he often commented that this was in the end a costly hotel for the Barbastelle bats in residence that prevented public use of the building. He was President of the London Historic Buildings Trust, having worked as their Treasurer and Project Organiser on many projects including the spectacular relocation of the St Pancras Waterpoint in 2001 to make way for the new Eurostar services.

Malcolm’s achievements for his services in preservation of the built heritage were recognised with the award of the Order of the British Empire in 2000.