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2 December 2025

Interim Chief Operating Officer appointed

Stephen Uphill appointed as the new interim Chief Operating Officer  at HES

Portrait of Stephen Uphill, new Interim Chief Operating Officer at HES

Stephen Uphill has been appointed as the new interim Chief Operating Officer at Historic Environment Scotland (HES).  

Steve, who is due to start in the role on Monday 15 December, brings a wealth of experience from senior leadership roles where he has successfully guided organisations through complex change and transformation.   

This has ranged from leading finance and operations at the Law Society of Scotland, to securing  major infrastructure investment and organisational redesign at Abertay University, to supporting significant systems and transformation initiatives in government and public services.  

Alongside his executive roles, Steve serves as a Non-Executive Director with the Scottish Prison Service, contributing to governance and risk management at a national level.   

In his new role at HES, Steve will lead and support the Executive Leadership Team and work closely with the Board and Scottish Government to ensure that HES continues to deliver its strategic priorities and achieve the highest standards of governance.  

About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)  

  • We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. We are also the lead on delivering Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future
  • Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle and Stòr are sub-brands of HES.
  • View our press pack and keep up to date by registering to receive our media releases. Already registered? You can unsubscribe at any time by following the unsubscribe link, included in every email. 

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For further information, please contact:

Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot

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