Tony brings with him 28 years of archaeological and heritage professional expertise, having worked throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East for archaeological fieldwork organisations and universities such as Mola, Plymouth College of Art, the University of Birmingham, the University of Nottingham, and Durham University.
Tony has worked as an archaeologist since 1994 after getting his postgraduate diploma in Practical Archaeology from the University of Birmingham. After 10 years as a field archaeologist he went on to work for several museums and local councils (including Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Stoke on Trent Potteries Museum, and Shropshire Council) as a historic buildings surveyor, surveying and recording historic buildings, farmsteads, castles, and churches throughout England and Wales. He has worked with Historic England and Cadw on Scheduled Monuments Sites including Wat’s and Offa’s Dykes, and World Heritage Sites including Cromford Mills, Derwent Valley in England, and in Wales the Slate Landscape of northwest Wales in Gwynedd, Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, and Pontcysllte Aqueduct and Canal.
Tony has been an archaeology and heritage consultant for the past ten years working with WSP, Atkins, Archaeological Research Services, and Lanpro on a number of DCO/NSIP schemes including HS2, East West Rail and Highways England road schemes, airport schemes, and solar farm schemes. He was a Historic Environment Manager on major infrastructure programmes before progressing to Head of Heritage.
Tony is based in Shrewsbury in Shropshire, and will be working mainly from our Manchester office. Outside of work he enjoys long walks interspersed with historic pubs. In fact, he’s a bit of a buff on Shrewsbury’s haunted pubs and has recommended the Nag’s Head, which was named in CAMRA’s top 5 most haunted pubs.
"I hope to continue the good work and reputation of Ecus by growing the heritage team, in tandem with archaeology and the wider environmental team, to be the best in the UK. I have worked as an archaeologist and heritage professional for 28 years on a wide range of projects from excavating Iron Age hillforts to managing large scale infrastructure projects such as HS2 and East West Rail.
I see the historic environment as part of the wider built and natural environment and an important aspect of planning and development for sustainable growth in the 21st century. Although I have a good deal of knowledge and experience I am always learning, so I am here to support this growing company but I also want learn from everyone at Ecus and to be better at whatever I do."Tony Hanna
Head of Heritage Consultancy
