Research committee

An Associate of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (ACIFA), Derek is the CEO of Pre-Develop Archaeology Ltd after co-founding the company in 2009. Derek has excavated extensively throughout Britain and has experience of all periods. He is a specialist in excavation and fieldwork surveys with a BSc (Hons) degree in Archaeology from the University of Sheffield. Over the last 30 years he has carried out numerous surveys and contractual archaeological project work in various parts of the UK. Derek specialises in initial on-site excavation and survey work, providing efficient profiles which enable developers and building contractors to fulfil their archaeological requirements.

With many years spent in the construction industry Derek has the knowledge and understanding to advise clients in all aspects of development and archaeological works.

Derek provides detailed landscape reports on various aspects of archaeological investigations and historic building surveys, as well as overseeing the day-to-day running of the company.

Prof. Stephen Upex has written on a wide variety of topics related to British landscape history and archaeology and his interests range from Roman and Saxon landscapes and archaeology to medieval open fields systems. He has directed archaeological excavations on Roman and Saxon sites in the East Midlands and contributed to several Time Team programmes for Channel Four. Recently, Stephen has written a series of landscape and archaeological reports and books on sites within the East Midlands and he is currently working on a volume for the Society of Antiquaries on Roman and Saxon landscape in northern Cambridgeshire. His most recent book on the ‘Romans in the Nene valley’ was published in 2022.

Stephen lectures at the University of Cambridge and also works a freelance archaeologist, author and consultant. He is a member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (MCIfA) and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (FSA).

Dr Paul Stamper is a specialist in the English landscape and its buildings. After a long career with first the Victoria County History and then Historic England he set up his own consultancy in 1996, Paul Stamper Heritage paulstamperheritage.wordpress.com. Most of its work involves assessing the significance of historic buildings and landscapes, including historic parks, and the likely impact of proposed changes. The scale ranges from local barn conversions to multi-million pound development schemes, including expert witness work at Public Inquiries.

Paul has extensive experience of the listing process, and as Senior Adviser in Historic England’s Designation Department was responsible for the 44 selection guides setting out criteria and standards for listing, scheduling, the two registers (battlefields and designed landscapes), and ships and boats historicengland.org.uk/listing/selection-criteria/

He has published extensively through monographs, articles, and book reviews.