About Dr Sadie Jarrett

Academically robust and community-focused heritage expertise

Born and raised near Swansea in south Wales, I grew up surrounded by castles, Iron Age hill forts, Victorian mansions, and the industrial heritage of the region. I’m still fortunate to live on the beautiful Welsh coast, and I love being involved in projects connected to Welsh heritage, but I’m equally enthusiastic about working on heritage projects across the UK.

I studied History at the University of Cambridge before completing a Masters in Historic Conservation at Oxford Brookes University. My early career included work as a research assistant at the College of Arms, developing expertise in genealogical research, and as a historic buildings consultant, preparing planning applications for Listed Buildings Consent and researching heritage assets. I went on to complete a PhD at Bangor University’s Institute for the Study of Welsh Estates and held research posts at the Institute of Historical Research and The Queen’s College, Oxford. My first book on the early modern Welsh gentry won the 2024 Francis Jones Prize from Jesus College, Oxford.

After a successful period in academia, I returned to the heritage sector, managing National Lottery Heritage Fund projects and supporting organisations with their heritage funding bids. Today, I offer my expertise in historical research, project management, heritage planning, and public engagement through my own heritage consultancy. I combine the rigour of an academic historian with practical experience delivering results for organisations, helping communities and heritage projects thrive.

Experience

I have worked across a wide range of heritage contexts, from small, volunteer-led community projects to nationally significant historic sites. I am a specialist in late medieval and early modern history with reading knowledge of English, Latin, Welsh and French, and I have advised on heritage assets dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. I am currently a member of the Wales committee for the Heritage Network Trust. Previously, I was a member of the user advisory group for The National Archives, London.

My experience includes:

Managing National Lottery Heritage Fund projects, from development through to delivery and reporting.
Overseeing bilingual outcomes and liaising with translators.
Helping volunteer-led organisations with their grant applications.
Working as a historic buildings consultant across the UK, supporting listed buildings and historic environments.
Designing and delivering training and workshops.
Translating archival and academic research into engaging public outcomes, including an award-winning book and community talks.

Working with me

I am an independent consultant and work closely with clients across the UK in person and online to provide clear, proportionate and realistic support.

Clients value my:

Calm and structured approach
Research expertise
Clear communication
Understanding of funder expectations
Sensitivity to place, people and heritage values

I am particularly committed to supporting:

Community-led heritage
Welsh heritage projects
Projects that protect and reinterpret historic places
Work that makes archives and research accessible to wider audiences
Training and hands-on workshops that helps organisations understand the heritage world

Professional qualifications

You’ll be working with an experienced, qualified heritage professional who understands both the practical and intellectual demands of projects of all sizes, including complex sites and volunteer-led community groups. My qualifications include: