Historic Royal Palaces recruit to ensure site remains a ‘world-class’ visitor destination

Northern Irish estate Hillsborough Castle and Gardens is to welcome its new head from January, celebrating the incoming leader’s “wealth of experience across education, government, and cultural diplomacy”.

CAROLINE WALKER will join the Historic Royal Palaces institution Queen’s University Belfast, where she leads on strategic external engagement and public affairs.

She has previously worked in the planning and delivery of events such as the Agreement 25 Conference and was formerly a part of the Scottish Government Office in Ireland, where she shaped cultural policy and engagement.

At Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, she will be in charge of expanding Historic Royal Palaces’ presence in Northern Ireland, to grow the site’s reputation as a “centre of heritage, learning, and hospitality”.

NICOLA ANDREWS, palaces group director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Caroline to Historic Royal Palaces as head of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.

“Her wealth of experience across education, government, and cultural diplomacy will be invaluable as we continue to grow the role of this beloved heritage site as a focal point for cultural exchange and public engagement. Caroline’s leadership and insight will help us further connect with local communities and partners across Northern Ireland and we look forward to working with her in this exciting new chapter.”

Walker added: “It’s a tremendous honour to join Historic Royal Palaces as head of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens – a place that holds such deep cultural and historical significance for Northern Ireland. I look forward to building on its reputation as a welcoming and inspiring world-class destination for visitors, while continuing to strengthen its role as a space for learning, dialogue and connection.”