About Us

                             The goals of the Birmingham History Society

The society aims to promote and protect the heritage of the Birmingham area. This is by taking a proactive approach and by working collaboratively on projects and  events. Birmingham has an incredibly rich history dating back two millennia and more. Our aim is to explore, uncover, research and most importantly disseminate that history. We hope to encourage others with a history of this great city to join us and help research and discuss aspects of the history of the area. If you have read anything here that inspires you, we encourage you to join us and move forward in what we hope is an exciting historical journey.

Meet the Committee

                     The Birmingham History Society was formed by the founding committee(below)on 16th March 2026 in Central Birmingham

James BURGESS

CHAIRMAN
James has lived in Birmingham since 2019 and has developed a strong passion for its rich and diverse history. He led the ‘Grand Round’ medical history tour during Birmingham Heritage Week 2025 and hosts the Birmingham History Podcast. James looks forward to collaborating on projects and events in 2026 and beyond.
Karen averby

TReasurer
Karen has a strong Brummie heritage, and grew up in south Birmingham. After over 20 years away, she has returned to the area. She is a consultant historian/ researcher, and author, specialising in the architectural and social history of buildings, including house histories, hotels, 
working class and seaside heritage. Having worked in heritage for over 20 years, in archives, archaeology and architectural history, she is now Director of her heritage consultancy Archangel Heritage Ltd, focusing on built heritage and social history.
She sits on the Art Deco Society UK's Preservation Committee, is one of the team behind the  Independent Historians Network, is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. Society membersships include the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain, the Social History Society, the Victorian Society, and Midlands Ancestors.
She is excited and honoured to be part of this new collaborative chapter for Birmingham
history, especially in researching and championing the lesser-known stories of our
wonderful city's people, buildings, and places, and meeting and working with others who share the same vision.'
RiFF DEVIN

SECRETARY
I came to the Midlands 30 years ago as a mature student. I read History & War Studies at Wolverhampton University. I enjoyed it so much I decided not to return back down south and built a life here where I’ve remained. I love this part of the world, I think Birmingham is an amazing city. I’ve been excited to see the redevelopments since I arrived here I’m in my early 60s, living in the Black Country and outside of life’s normal humdrum stuff. I’m a keen photographer, so Birmingham’s redevelopment has been a special event from that perspective. I present a weekly jazz show on Black Country Xtra radio, as well as a chat show featuring people in the local Birmingham & Black Country community.
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