Board members

Board Chair, Hugh Hall, has extensive experience of the public sector, including holding senior positions in the education, economic development, tourism and housing sectors.

Hugh has a wide range of leadership and transformational change experience, as well as leading business improvement projects across a number of publicly funded organisations. He is a prize-winning accountant and former managing director of audit services at Audit Scotland, with a deep understanding of governance and financial matters.

Hugh is the founding Chair of the Scottish Children’s Lottery, former Chair of Colleges Scotland and Forth Valley College and former Member of Court at Edinburgh Napier University.

His appointment as Chair of Historic Environment Scotland started on 19 January 2022 and extends until 18 January 2026.

Hugh does not hold any other public appointments.

Andrew Davis is Chief of Staff and Director of Strategy at TSB

Andrew is a Chartered Management Accountant, an experienced Management Consultant, and Company Director in the Scottish Financial Services sector.

Prior to joining TSB, he has worked for, amongst others, PwC, McKinsey, Scottish Widows and Bank of Scotland.

He brings to the role a passion for Scotland’s history and environment combined with his experience of executive, audit and risk committees.

His appointment is from 6 April 2020 to 5 April 2028.

Emma Herd is Head of Corporate Enablement and Control at Aberdeen Standard Investments.

She is responsible for managing operational risk globally, as well as change management and property management.

Emma trained as a chartered accountant with KPMG and has worked in financial services for 20 years in the UK and Australia.

Her appointment is from 6 April 2020 to 5 April 2028.

Terry Levinthal is a senior Executive and Non-Executive Director experienced in the governance and management of quasi-public and charitable organisations in the heritage and environmental sectors.

Terry is currently the Director of the Cockburn Association in Edinburgh, one of the oldest conservation organisations in the UK

He has held senior roles in heritage organisations in Scotland, including the National Trust for Scotland as Director of Conservation Services & Projects; Scottish Civic Trust (Director) and as a Member of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, where he chaired its Planning Committee.

He brings expertise in complex multi-site, multi-disciplinary environments.

His appointment is from 6 April 2020 to 5 April 2028.

Gemma is currently a Business Manager for the National Trust for Scotland responsible for planning and analysis

Gemma is an operational leader, and manager within cultural and natural heritage visitor attractions, focusing on commercial sustainability, culture change, and visitor journey. Gemma is currently a Business Manager for the National Trust for Scotland responsible for planning and analysis and previously worked for National Museums Scotland and the Science Museum Group.

Her appointment is from 20 March 2023 to 19 March 2027.

Joe Doogan has over 40 years’ experience in manufacturing and engineering across various industries

Joe has over 40 years’ experience in manufacturing and engineering across various industries and is currently employed by Babcock International as Director of Operations at Rosyth Dockyard. He brings extensive experience in delivering major capital programmes, infrastructure investment, site maintenance and supporting the introduction of innovative recruitment and training programmes.

His appointment is from 20 March 2023 to 19 March 2027.

Simon Hodge has extensive experience in working with local communities, sustainable land use and public commercial activity.

Simon a forester by training, has a life-long interest in the historic environment with previous roles including Chief Executive of the Crown Estate Scotland and Forest Enterprise Scotland. Simon also has extensive experience in working with local communities, sustainable land use and public commercial activity.

His appointment is from 20 March 2023 to 19 March 2027.

Gary Jebb is a Director of Place at the University of Edinburgh

Gary is a Director of Place at the University of Edinburgh with extensive experience in the management, operation, and development of a large, complex historic property portfolio, including the delivery of major estates projects and facilities management. He is also a Professional Associate of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and was elected a Fellow in 2001.

His appointment is from 20 March 2023 to 19 March 2027.

Ann Leslie is Chief Executive of Lar Housing Trust

Ann, a former commercial lawyer, Ann is Chief Executive of Lar Housing Trust, growing the charity from a start-up to a fully operational charity with hundreds of homes across Scotland and a number of further sites in construction or planning – many involving reusing derelict and abandoned buildings - some of which are listed -and transforming them into good quality, affordable homes and community use buildings.

Her appointment is from 20 March 2023 to 19 March 2027.

Anne-Marie has worked in various property, charity, and grant-giving roles mainly in the heritage sector

Anne-Marie has worked in various property, charity, and grant-giving roles mainly in the heritage sector and was Head of the Capital team at The BIG Lottery Fund and led the Property Planning, Projects and European Funding team at the National Trust for Scotland. Recently retired as CEO of an Edinburgh-based charity and social enterprise, she is on the Board of The Ethical Property Company and chairs its Governance & Human Resources Committee. She is also a non-executive Director of Eala Impacts CIC and Chair of the charity Co-Housing for Independent Living, as well as a member of the Standards Commission for Scotland.

Her appointment is from 20 March 2023 to 19 March 2027.

In addition to his role with HES, he currently serves as a non-executive board member of the Student Awards Agency Scotland.

Nkosana is a Lecturer in Strategy at the University of Edinburgh Business School and a member of the school’s Ethics, Responsibility, and Sustainability Committee. He brings governance expertise across the social, government, and commercial sectors, having served as a non-executive director and statutory advisor in Australia, including roles with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Queensland State Government. In addition to his role with Historic Environment Scotland, he currently serves as a non-executive board member of the Student Awards Agency Scotland.

Ian is Professor of Historic Environment Management at Heriot-Watt University and teaches heritage management, tourism and visitor experience development

Ian Baxter is an industry focused senior academic with wide involvement in strategic and governance issues in heritage-sector NGOs, and in tourism experience development.

Ian is Professor of Historic Environment Management at Heriot-Watt University and teaches heritage management, tourism and visitor experience development. His professional practice and research is focused on knowledge management and strategy within heritage and conservation organisations, and enhancement of the visitor experience at historic sites. He originally trained as an archaeologist at the University of Edinburgh and completed a PhD at the University of Cambridge investigating strategic management within heritage and conservation organisations.

He chairs the Built Environment Forum Scotland's Historic Environment Working Group (and was previously BEFS Vice-Chair) and is a current member of Council (Trustee) of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. He co-chairs the Skills, Education & Engagement Advisory Group for The Heritage Alliance (the national NGO heritage advocacy organisation in England) and is a member the Institute for Historic Building Conservation's Education, Training & Standards Committee.

David is Chief Operating Officer at the Centre for AI in Assistive Autonomy at the University of Edinburgh and a Board Member of Historic Environment Scotland.

He brings over 18 years of experience in technology, innovation, and commercialisation, with a proven track record of building international partnerships and supporting the creation and growth of start-ups. He is deeply committed to Scotland’s historic and natural environment and has played an active role in advancing place-based partnerships that drive inclusive and sustainable growth.

David began his career at EY in technology risk and assurance before moving into senior roles within academia, where he led major initiatives to enhance business engagement and secure large-scale R&D funding and investment. He has worked internationally across Europe, Asia, and the US to establish strategic collaborations and has played a key role in supporting early-stage ventures through spin-outs, accelerators, and national programmes.

Throughout his career, David has worked across academia, industry, and public sector to drive inclusive innovation and economic growth.