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23 October 2024

New appointments to the HES Board

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Mr Angus Robertson, has announced the appointment of three new members of the HES board.

The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has announced three new members of the Historic Environment Scotland Board.

The new members are:

Ian Baxter
A Professor of Historic Environment Management at Heriot-Watt University. He originally trained as an archaeologist at the University of Edinburgh and holds a PhD in heritage management from the University of Cambridge. Over a period of 30 years he has worked for a number of UK Universities in both academic and management roles and also within industry in visitor management and research consultancy roles. He has a particular interest in skills development, knowledge management and enhancement of the visitor experience in the heritage, conservation and tourism sectors. He works with a range of organisations to demonstrate the value of heritage in society and across a range of public policy areas.

Dr Nkosana Mafico
A Lecturer in Strategy at the University of Edinburgh Business School and serves as a member of the school’s Ethics, Responsibility, and Sustainability Committee. He specialises in organisation theory, sociology, and cross-cultural psychology. Prior to academia, Nkosana led a software startup backed by Australia’s largest telecommunications company. He also served as the Founder and Managing Director of the Council for Young Africans Living Abroad (CYALA), where he developed deep expertise in engaging with diaspora communities and navigating cross-cultural issues. Nkosana has held numerous governance roles across the social, government, and commercial sectors, including as a statutory advisor to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Queensland State Government, and as a non-executive director with the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community in Australia. Currently, Nkosana serves as a non-executive board member at the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS).

David Richardson
With over 17 years of experience driving innovation, forging strategic partnerships, and collaborating across multiple sectors. He brings a strong background in technology commercialisation, with a background in AI and data science, and is highly skilled in building multidisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration. His career spans senior roles at Heriot-Watt University, the University of Edinburgh, and Ernst & Young LLP, where he has successfully delivered high-impact projects and secured significant funding. Committed to deliver positive outcomes across Scotland, David’s experience will be instrumental in supporting Historic Environment Scotland’s strategic goals.

Commenting on the appointments, Dr Hugh Hall, Chair of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) said:

I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to our new Board members. I am confident that their fresh perspectives, knowledge, skills and experience will contribute to the important work of the Board and the future success of Historic Environment Scotland. While there are challenges ahead for public bodies in Scotland, we as an organisation - with a new CEO at the helm and a refreshed Board - are well placed to meet those challenges and take advantage of the many opportunities that lie ahead. Exciting times!

The appointments will be for four years and will run from 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2028.

For further information visit the Scottish Government website.

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, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, and Edinburgh Castle 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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