Our people
At Orion, we are a small, dedicated team of exceptional people with experience drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds in planning, archaeology and built heritage.
The Board
Rob Bourn
BA, MA, MCIfARob Bourn
BA, MA, MCIfARob is the co-founder and Managing Director of Orion Heritage. He plays a key role in the leadership and strategic development of Orion. Rob is an authority on archaeological and built heritage planning, development and construction related issues. He works on projects across all development sectors, and has a particular specialism in strategic land promotions, housing, renewable energy. Rob is an experienced heritage expert witness at public enquiries and hearings.
When not at work, Rob is a keen guitarist, avid F1 fan, and enjoys walking his Border Collie on the South Downs. He has a love for travelling and sampling new cultures, food and traditions.
Jane Bourn
LLB, SolicitorJane Bourn
LLB, SolicitorJane is a co-owner, practice manager, and in-house solicitor for Orion. Her commercial insight, drawn from extensive professional experience of commercial and property litigation, benefits Orion’s clients as we negotiate for them in often complex and sensitive situations.
Outside of her professional life, Jane enjoys travel, cake decorating, and being with her family and dog.
Dr Rob Smith
MCIfADr Rob Smith
MCIfARob sits on the board of Orion, playing a key role in the growth and strategic direction of the company. Over the last 20 years, Rob has advised clients on a variety of archaeological and heritage related matters; providing advice and support to DCO schemes, large-scale mixed-use urban extensions, renewable energy projects, leisure parks and villages, retail developments and residential schemes, right through to small-scale sensitive developments. Rob has an in-depth understanding of historic environment planning policy and guidance, and acts as an expert witness at Public Inquires and Hearings.
In his spare time, Rob is a keen squash and racquetball player, and occasional runner. He enjoys keeping active and spending as much time outdoors as possible.
Archaeology team
Helen MacQuarrie
MA MPhil MCIfAHelen MacQuarrie
MA MPhil MCIfAHelen is a Principal Archaeology Consultant and she provides informed archaeological advice for a wide range of projects across the South, including DCO schemes. She advises on settings assessments, conservation management plans, desk-based assessments, ESs and management of archaeological investigations for residential, retail, industrial and energy schemes. As well as her wide-ranging consultancy experience, Helen has an established fieldwork, research and post-excavation background. She has travelled through her career, taking part in excavations abroad including Egypt, Sudan and St Helena. The discoveries on St Helena became the focus of an MPhil at Bristol University and she co-authored a written study for the Council for British Archaeology.
Outside of work Helen enjoys sea swimming, live music and travel.
Cathy Patrick
BA DipArchaeol MPhil MCIfACathy Patrick
BA DipArchaeol MPhil MCIfACathy is a Technical Director and she has over 28 years’ experience in professional archaeology, predominantly in archaeological consultancy. She is known for her pragmatic approach and commercially-aware advice. She works successfully and effectively with clients, promoting strategic sites, guiding projects through planning and delivering them to the market for construction. She has a particularly strong client base in the West Midlands.
Cathy is Mum to three children, and loves getting out and about on walks with her Labrador.
Sylvia Lock
BA ACIfASylvia Lock
BA ACIfASylvia is a Senior Archaeology Consultant and has extensive experience in the production of desk-based assessments, ES chapters and written schemes of investigation. Sylvia organises and manages all stages of archaeological fieldwork for strategic land promotions as well as residential, commercial and energy schemes across the UK. She has a particular interest in the archaeology of prehistoric human migration.
Beyond work, she is an avid reader and enjoys exploring National Trust properties as well as spending time in her native Austria.
Becky Ryan
BA MCIfABecky Ryan
BA MCIfABecky is a Principal Archaeology Consultant with experience of archaeological and heritage consultancy across a variety of projects, from small scale due diligence assessments to large development and infrastructure projects, including wind farms and road schemes. She has experience of working on desk-based assessment, Environmental Impact Assessments, the production of Written Schemes of Investigation and the procurement, management and review of archaeological contractors. Becky sits on the Registrations Committee (Organisations) of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists.
In her spare time, Becky is a keen hiker and piano player. She’s also a passionate Middlesbrough fan.
Dr Charlie Willis
BA MSc ACIfADr Charlie Willis
BA MSc ACIfACharlie is a Senior Archaeology Consultant with over eight years’ experience in professional and academic archaeology. She holds specialist skills in GIS, Lidar, aerial photography and Osteology. Charlie has worked on a wide range of projects across a variety of sectors including strategic land promotion, residential, commercial, energy and infrastructure. She is particularly involved in large scale projects and is currently working on a portfolio of complex sites across the UK.
Outside of work, Charlie is a keen baker and enjoys travelling.
Hayley Goacher
BA MCIfAHayley Goacher
BA MCIfAHayley is a Principal Archaeology Consultant, responsible for assessing the archaeological potential through desk-based and setting assessments, as well as guiding clients through planning processes with environmental statement chapters and mitigation fieldwork. Hayley has a background in fieldwork project management, including infrastructure and multi-disciplinary/phase sites utilising evaluation, building recording and mitigation excavation. She has a particular interest in green energy, including involvement in the early adoption of wind turbines across the South West, port assessments in eastern England, and developments across the Midlands and Southern England.
Outside of work, Hayley enjoys walking and exploring the countryside, sailing and learning new textile crafts and techniques such as knitting, especially those with a historical angle.
Charles Walker
BA MACharles Walker
BA MACharlie is Orion’s dedicated Researcher providing the historic background to a range of archaeological and built heritage reports. He successfully completed a research internship in 2022. With an academic background in the conservation of the North West’s built heritage, Charlie is experienced with compiling land ownership detail and historic mapping for a variety of projects.
At weekends, Charlie likes to explore museums and galleries. He is also an avid skier, and likes to collect modernist novels.
Sean Wallis
BA MCIfASean Wallis
BA MCIfASean has recently joined the team at Orion as a senior archaeological consultant. He has over 20 years of experience in commercial archaeology, and spent the last 14 years directing fieldwork projects, largely in the south east of England. Sean will be working on desk-based assessment, Environmental Impact Assessments, the production of Written Schemes of Investigation and the procurement, management and review of archaeological contractors.
Outside of work, Sean enjoys playing tennis and watching non-league football. He also sings and plays with a couple of Brighton based bands.
Built heritage team
Jan Mathieson
BA(Hons) BArch ARB RIBA AABCJan Mathieson
BA(Hons) BArch ARB RIBA AABCJan is a Principal Consultant, qualified as an architect and accredited in conservation, with over 30 years’ experience in the repair and refurbishment of historic buildings. This includes work at the Tower of London, Crown Estate and World Heritage Sites, together with designated and non-designated heritage assets and historic landscape. She is a specialist in the production of Heritage Assessments; work includes compiling comprehensive documentation for Listed Building Consent Applications and Discharge of Conditions. In addition to Heritage Assessments, this encompasses Schedules of Condition, Repair or Maintenance and Written Schemes of Recording.
In her free time, Jan enjoys walking, travelling and cooking.
Robin Sheehan
MScRobin Sheehan
MScRobin is a Senior Built Heritage Consultant who specialises in the assessment of historic buildings and structures and the relationships they share with their environment. He has particular experience in building pathology and analysis which he uses in the production of historic building surveys, following Historic England’s guidelines. Using these skills, Robin successfully completed a historic building survey of over 100 Cold War military structures on a former airfield. Robin has a keen eye for detail and, combined with his passion for the historic environment, is proficient at producing comprehensive and informed heritage assessments.
Outside of work, mountaineering, rock climbing and trail running are Robin’s key passions, along with spending time with his family.
Sophie Allen
BA MASophie Allen
BA MASophie is a Built Heritage Consultant and relishes incorporating detailed historical investigation into assessments of heritage assets. She joined as a Researcher in 2021, undertaking specialist research into historic buildings, which has taken her to national, county and planning archives up and down the country and provided experience in interpreting a diverse range of historic documents, maps and plans. Sophie graduated from the Courtauld Institute of Art with a first class Masters degree in History of Art, with a specialism in the ecclesiastical architecture of medieval Britain.
Sophie has a keen interest in medieval art and architecture and enjoys wide reading for personal study. In her free time, she is a keen baker and prolific jam-maker.
Graphics team
Luke Wayman
BScLuke Wayman
BScLuke is Orion’s Graphics Manager, responsible for the wide range of graphics work produced for the company. He has an in-depth knowledge of technical software including ArcGIS, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite, gained working in the heritage sector for almost 15 years. Luke uses this expertise to provide illustrations such as historic map regressions, archaeological mitigation plans, maps of designated assets and HER data, archaeological deposit models, historic building phasing plans, LiDAR data plots and material for public outreach.
In his spare time, Luke loves being outdoors and skateboarding with friends. He is also passionate about film and photography, developing films at home and making prints in the darkroom.