A Nation of Differences: Reflections from York

A Nation of Differences: Reflections from York

A couple of weeks ago, our newest Interact branch in York hosted its inaugural lunch at the York Minster Refectory – an event that marked more than the beginning of a new group. It was a moment that captured what Interact is all about: heritage, regional identity, and the quiet strength of thoughtful leadership.

The lunch was led by Niamh Batterton, Legal Director at Bevan Brittan LLP and Chair of the brand new York branch. Niamh brought energy, warmth, and purpose to the lunch – creating a gathering that was not only well attended, but deeply aligned with the city it now serves. Nansi Rosenberg, the branch’s sponsor and Managing Director of Prospect Archaeology, also attended the event – bringing her insight and passion for Interact’s values to the table, quite literally.

The choice of venue was fitting. York is a city rich in history and character, and the York Minster Refectory added gravitas to the occasion. In fact, the branch has already had the opportunity to visit York Minster itself, thanks to one of its members serving as Director of Works and Precinct for the Minster. That kind of connection—a literal seat at the heart of the city’s architectural legacy—speaks volumes about the strength and relevance of the group forming there.

After the event, Niamh and Nansi reflected on the unusual and refreshing presence of heritage professionals around the table. In most cities, that level of sector alignment might be hard to find. But in York, it was natural. And for Nansi, whose career spans decades in archaeology and built heritage, it was a powerful moment: a community not just of property professionals, but including many people with shared interests, professional relevance, and lived understanding.

When I became National Chair, I was immediately struck by the breadth of difference across the Interact network. While we operate under one banner, we do not serve one type of member or one type of place. The business culture in Edinburgh is different to that in Cambridge. Liverpool doesn’t work the same way as Bristol. What our members need in London, or the Midlands, is different again. We are a small island – but we are not homogenous.

That’s what makes Interact exceptional. We have a national identity and shared values, but our real strength lies in our regional autonomy and relevance. Each branch is shaped by the people and professions who live and work in that place. And no two branches are the same.

The York branch is already showing what that looks like in practice: a breadth of knowledge, heritage voices, local leadership, and a close connection to the culture of the city itself. Their next visit to York Minster is already in the works – and perhaps maybe that becomes a tradition, a kind of anchoring presence for a group whose focus is so rooted in history.

Nansi suggested a visual that represents “modern development set against historic fabric” – and that’s exactly what the York branch represents. Something new, growing confidently from something old. It’s a dynamic we see all across the Interact network: old and new, experience and ambition, tradition and innovation.

We are not a flat organisation. We are a textured one. And it’s in that texture – those local nuances and cultural details – that Interact becomes more than just a network. It becomes a national community with deep local roots.

Welcome, York. We’re already learning from you.