ANDREW WELLS has over 25 years' experience working on the conservation, maintenance, presentation and promotion of Grade I listed historic property, including interiors and contents, gardens and parks.  He has a first degree in historical geography and an MA (Distinction) in the history, art and architecture of country houses.  He is a Member of the Association of Building Engineers and has overseen many sensitive conservation projects.  He is listed in the Directory of Expert Advisers to the National Heritage Memorial Fund, and lectures and writes on historic buildings and works of art.  He is a former director, curator and land agent at Leeds Castle, Kent (one of the United Kingdom's most popular heritage sites, welcoming over half a million visitors a year).  He researches the history of houses and their owners and has written guidebooks to several historic buildings.     

Previously he managed several Grade I buildings in the City of London and 60 almshouses in Sussex.  A member of the Executive Committee of the Historic Houses Association (representing more houses and gardens in private ownership than English Heritage and the National Trust combined), he was Chairman of the HHA's south-east region 1997-2001.  

He is a Trustee of the Kent Gardens Trust and a former Trustee of the Chevening Estate.  He organised the Kent Heritage Event at Mereworth in 2005 and 2008.