Oli Gerrish

Oli’s love of architecture began at an early age and, as the chairman of the Young Georgians (which he re-founded in 2002) , he has helped to bring the Historic architecture to a new generation.

 

He was a choral scholar at Lichfield Cathedral (the only Medieval cathedral in Britain with three spires!), and while there started to write his first feature article for Country Life on Peak District manor house called Casterne Hall. From there he went to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as a countertenor and it was as a student that he contacted The Georgian Group, an encounter which led to his chairmanship of The Young Georgians. Oli also established the flourishing American Young Georgians, which is based in New York. Oli was a judge for The Georgian Group’s Architectural Awards in 2013. 

 

Oli published his first article in Country Life in 2005, becoming the youngest ever writer for the magazine. He regularly writes for that magazine, as well as House and Garden, The Georgian, and his work has been featured in the Sunday Times. He has written two feature articles for Country Life in 2022.

 

Oli has lectured internationally for the Royal Oak Foundation, the Winterthur Museum, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the ICAA, Wentworth Woodhouse, Syon House, the Cambridge Society in Derbyshire, the University of Cambridge and others. 

 

Oli has made a number of appearances on shows including The Titchmarsh Show and BBC's Secret History of Our Streets. He also worked with Sarah Beeney on her Rise Hall Restoration Nightmare programme, when he took her around Sutton Scarsdale Hall in Derbyshire. Oli won ITV's ‘May the Best House Win’ in 2010.

 

Oli founded study series www.historicdecoration.com with interior designer and consultant, Caroline Percy, in 2016. The courses often take place in the magnificent surroundings of Robert Adam's Syon House. Oli also creates bespoke tours to many of the finest private stately homes in Britain with www.thegreatbritishtour.com. 

 

Oli is a trustee of the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust, and founded their Architecture Awards in 2018..

 

Oli regularly sings with a number of famous ensembles and orchestras, including The Philharmonia. He is in the Choir of St John’s Wood Parish Church, as well as being a ‘Deputy’ in the choirs of St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.

 

Oli is married to gemmologist Zuleika Gerrish and they have a three and a one year old.