Samantha Polkinghorneappointed asNBRS ChairSamantha Polkinghorneappointed as NBRS Chair

NBRS are thrilled to announce the appointment of Samantha Polkinghorne as the new Chair of the NBRS Board.

As NBRS’ first female Board Chair, Sam is no stranger to embracing leadership roles. With more than 35 years within the Built Heritage industry, she is an influential leader offering guidance on decisions related to conservation, interpretation, and restoration of significant structures across Australia. Her commitment to conserving and unlocking the potential for successful adaptive re-use is a testament to her belief in delivering projects with enduring value for our clients and conserving the historic identity of the wider community.

As an International member of ICOMOS, International member of DOCOMOMO and currently also serving as the treasurer and secretary of the Australian arm of DOCOMOMO, Sam brings a wealth of proven experience and expertise to her new role, and we couldn't be more excited to have her lead our team.

Sam said she is excited to be taking on the role of Board Chair and building on NBRS’ Success. “I am absolutely delighted to be offered the opportunity to Chair such an excellent employee-owned Design business. I have worked alongside NBRS for the last 8 years and have been deeply impressed by the dedication of our staff and their ability to create lifechanging environments for a wide range of communities. For over five decades NBRS has contributed to our New South Wales, Victorian and Queensland communities, and through this appointment I look forward to continuing to work closely with the great people who are NBRS and with our key clients”.

We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank James Ward, who has transitioned from Chairman to the role of Deputy Chair, Director, and Chief Marketing Officer. James has been an integral part of our NBRS team, and we look forward to his continued contributions in his new capacity.

Please join us in congratulating Samantha on her well-deserved appointment. Her leadership will undoubtedly usher in a new era of innovation, excellence, and inclusivity at NBRS.