Foundations for success: Hilary Taylor’s legacy helps women build careers in architecture
We're proud to celebrate the lasting legacy of alumna Hilary Taylor, whose passion for architecture and championing women in the profession continues to inspire future generations through a bursary established in her memory.
19 October 2026
How one alumna’s legacy will be supporting architecture students on campus for generations
Created in memory of Class of 1988 graduate Hilary Taylor, by her father John, the Hilary Taylor Bursary supports two female Master of Architecture students each year from underrepresented backgrounds, helping them access opportunities and thrive in a profession where women remain underrepresented.
Hilary studied architecture at Newcastle University between 1982 and 1988, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Architecture. She went on to build a distinguished career with Maber Architects, where she worked for 28 years and became the practice’s first interior design specialist.
Known for her creativity, warmth and generosity, Hilary was deeply committed to helping young women enter the construction and architecture industries. Tragically, she died in July 2020 after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour.
Determined to honour his daughter’s memory and values, John established a bursary on campus, initially donating £20,000 to the cause. This generous gift, along with donations from Hilary’s friends and contemporaries, has so far supported 12 female architects at Newcastle University.
And now, with a new academic year beginning, we are thrilled to announce that John has pledged a further £100,000 to secure support for the next 25 years.
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Niamh’s story
Class of 2026 graduate Niamh Ashley (pictured) is one of the students who has benefited from Hilary’s legacy.
Having completed her undergraduate studies in Leeds, Niamh chose Newcastle because of its international opportunities and world-leading research, including work taking place through the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment. During her studies, she completed an exchange semester in Stockholm and balanced her degree with part-time work in practice.
The bursary, she says, made a significant difference to her student experience.
“The Hilary Taylor Bursary meant I didn’t have to work as much in the office during my final year of study. I had more time and energy to spend on my university work. The bursary also helped me purchase materials to produce the models for our degree show. It has also helped with travel, materials and supporting my studies.
“I’m glad to be carrying on Hilary’s legacy as a female in a very male-dominated industry. It feels really significant and special.”
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Despite only graduating in July 2026, Niamh’s work has already earned national recognition, including a shortlist for the Archisource Drawing of the Year Award 2026 and a RIBA North East Student Award. Looking ahead, she hopes to qualify as an architect before pursuing research in biomaterials and regenerative design.
Building confidence and opportunity
The bursary’s impact can also be seen in the achievements of earlier recipients, including Chloe Dalby (pictured), one of the first students supported through the programme and among its inaugural graduates in 2023.
Reflecting on the award, Chloe said Hilary’s commitment to supporting women in architecture resonated strongly with her own experiences in practice.
“Hilary’s passion for supporting young women into the field really resonated with me because working in practice highlighted the very apparent gender imbalance in the construction industry as a whole.
“Having the opportunity to apply for, and then be awarded, the bursary really gave me the confidence to continue pursuing a career in architecture when a lot of fellow female students I know had gone into other fields after graduating.”
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A legacy that lives on
At Maber Architects, Hilary remains fondly remembered for her talent, character and dedication to mentoring others. Throughout her career she worked on a diverse range of projects, from hospitality and residential developments to workplace and commercial interiors, earning the respect of colleagues and clients alike.
In June 2026, Maber welcomed Hilary’s father John, Niamh, Chloe and other recipients of the Hilary Taylor Bursary to their offices in Nottingham, so they could find out more about her work and the legacy she has left there. John told us:
“Hilary was an outstanding graduate from Newcastle University’s School of Architecture and passionate about the role of women in the profession.
“Following her untimely death in 2020, the Bursary was established to first remember her name, and to give modest help each year to worthy aspiring female students. Judging from the quality of those I met in Nottingham, our intention seems to be working well!”
Her former colleagues describe Hilary as someone whose “big personality, warmth and talent” left a lasting impression on the practice, while her commitment to encouraging young women into architecture continues to influence the profession today.
Thanks to Hilary’s father, John, that influence is now being felt on campus too, helping talented students pursue their ambitions, overcome financial barriers and build careers in architecture.
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How you can support students on campus
We believe that all students should experience what makes belonging to Newcastle University so special.
You can make a difference by supporting the Newcastle University Student Fund, or by contributing to our financial-need scholarship programme.
Thousands of our students rely on financial aid to support their education. Ability, not financial circumstance should be what counts, and our simple aim is to give every student the best possible chance to thrive at Newcastle University. Our scholarship programmes are designed to meet the individual needs of our students as effectively as possible.
Newcastle’s donor community supports over 300 scholarships each year. But we need to do more to meet the needs of our students as effectively as possible.
If you would like to know more about setting up a scholarship at Newcastle University, please contact Alexa Charlton at alexa.charlton@ncl.ac.uk.