Statement from Alex Paterson

Joining HES in September 2016, shortly after the merger of Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Alex has steered HES through a time in which it has grown and developed as an organisation and negotiated a number of challenges, not least a global pandemic.

On Alex’s departure, Hugh Hall, HES Board Chair, said:

“On behalf of all colleagues at Historic Environment Scotland, I would like to thank Alex for his tremendous contribution to the organisation during the past seven years as our CEO.

"His achievements are many. Most notably, he has overseen the transformation of HES to become a leading heritage body whose success and professionalism is recognised throughout the UK and beyond.

“There will be ample opportunity to acknowledge Alex’s valuable contribution to HES prior to his departure. He will leave with our deepest gratitude and with our very best wishes for the future.”

We're the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We are at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future. Across Scotland, we investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also working with sector partners to deliver 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.

More about our communications office

Sign-up to receive our media releases

For further information, please contact:

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