Abby Bryant

My career has focussed on development led impact assessment and the application of historic environment planning policy. I’m an expert in the assessment of change within the setting of heritage assets, with a particular focus on largescale aggregate projects. 

I have a first-class degree in Archaeology and a master’s degree in Landscape Archaeology from Bristol University. Soon after completing my post graduate studies in 2004, I joined Wessex Archaeology and became part of the newly created Consultancy team. Leaving in 2011, I set up my own successful consultancy practice producing desk-based assessments, impact assessments and management plans. I then re-joined Wessex Archaeology in 2017 as the technical and commercial director of our nationwide team of historic environment consultants. 

Ensuring that we are a sustainable business, and that heritage contributes its true value to a sustainable future is very important to me. During 2020 I became part of our Sustainability Working Group and developed our corporate Sustainability Strategy. More recently I was a guest on the Heritage & Sustainability podcast talking about sustainability and historic environment planning.

In 2021, I joined the Executive Management Team and took on the newly created role of Deputy Chief Operating Officer to assist with the management of our UK operations. Along with my EMT colleagues I am responsible for the strategic development of the business and the successful commercial delivery of our terrestrial and marine operational services.   

After nearly two decades working in the sector, I am still fascinated by the intersection of change and the historic environment; with careful management it’s a place where exciting things can happen. I really value working for an educational charity which delivers meaningful and measurable benefit to people now and in the future.