whilst working on his doctoral research, he took up a post as inspector of ancient monuments for english heritage (1988–90), later becoming curator of historic royal palaces (1989–97) and director of the museum of london (1997 to march 2002). he is also a prolific history broadcaster, presenting a history slot on bbc london for three years and – in television – presenting "flying through time", channel four's 2004 six-part series "lost buildings of britain" (channel 4), "the buildings that shaped britain" (channel 5) and a six-part history of london (granada). he also appeared as an expert in a number of episodes of the long-running channel 4 archaeological programme time team.