John Barnes joined Historic Royal Palaces in October 2001 in the position of Conservation Director responsible for the care, conservation, and presentation to the public of the five palaces and their collections: the Tower of London (including the Crown Jewels), Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, the Banqueting House in Whitehall, and Kew Palace. In 2006 his title was changed to Conservation & Learning Director, reflecting the diverse work of his department.
John, an architect by profession, began his career in 1982 at the Historic Buildings Division of the Greater London Council, before spending the next 10 years in private practice with a succession of leading conservation companies on some of the most significant projects of their kind.
