English Heritage chair brings ‘wealth of experience’

English Heritage has announced “deeply experienced leader” TONY HALES as new chair of the board.

Hales is currently chair of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and has experience as a non-executive director of Welsh National opera, HSBC Bank and Aston Villa.

Prior to this, Hales was chief executive of the global food and drink company Allied Domecq, and was awarded a CBE for services to the armed forces.

He has been chair of British Waterways, and founding chair of its successor the Canal and River Trust, and of the Greenwich Foundation for the Old Royal Naval College.

Hales will succeed LORD LEMOS, who stepped down in July last year following his appointment as Lord in Waiting.

“English Heritage is one of this country’s great national institutions, one that looks after and shares with us all a remarkable collection of historic sites,” Hales said. “I grew up visiting the castles, abbeys, and houses in its care and I am both honoured and excited to be its chair.”

Deputy chair and chair of English Heritage’s nominations committee Dr CHRIS MICHAELS said he was “very pleased” to welcome Hales, adding: “He has a wealth of experience which will service the charity extremely well.”

Chair of Historic England LORD MENDOZA said: “I really welcome Tony’s appointment which is the result of a thorough search process with many excellent candidates, and I’m thrilled that Historic England’s Commission has approved his appointment.

“Tony is a deeply experienced leader across the corporate, cultural and heritage sectors. He is well placed for such an exciting role and responsibility to care for the National Heritage collection that has been carefully assembled over time and is loved by many.”