Our executive leadership

As Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Uphill leads Historic Environment Scotland and is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational performance of the organisation. Working closely with the Board, colleagues, communities and partners, he helps ensure Scotland's historic environment is cared for, protected and shared for the benefit of people now and in the future. 

Steve was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer in September 2026, having joined HES as Interim Chief Operating Officer in 2025. 

He brings extensive experience from senior leadership positions across the public and higher education sectors, as well as professional membership bodies. Throughout his career, he has successfully led organisations through complex change and transformation programmes, with particular expertise in governance, finance, operations and organisational development. 

Prior to joining HES, Steve held senior leadership roles at the Law Society of Scotland and Abertay University, where he played a key role in organisational redesign, infrastructure investment and business transformation. He has also supported significant systems and transformation initiatives across government and public services. 

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

As CEO, Steve is committed to ensuring HES delivers its strategic priorities and continues to make a positive contribution to Scotland's people, places and communities through the care, protection and promotion of the historic environment. 

Steve is the organisation's designated Accountable Officer to the Scottish Government.

Our directors provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to help Historic Environment Scotland meet its objectives and protect Scotland’s heritage.

Elizabeth McCrone

Director of Heritage

Elly is responsible for our Heritage Directorate which leads our role in protecting, understanding and sharing information about Scotland’s historic environment. This includes providing advice, policy and guidance about the historic environment as well as recognising and protecting our historic places through survey and recording and designations and consents. 

Since joining Historic Environment Scotland in 2002, Elly has 20 years of experience working in the heritage sector. She has worked in a variety of roles mostly within our designations and consents and advice functions. She has an MA Honours degree in History of Art from the University of St Andrews as well as a postgraduate diploma in the same subject. She is a member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation and an associate member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Dr David Mitchell

Director of Cultural Assets

Dr Mitchell has worked in the heritage sector for over twenty years in both the private and public sector. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in earth sciences and a PhD in architecture.

Before joining the organisation, he was managing director of a private firm of industrial heritage consultants and contractors where he developed a passion for the Scottish architectural iron founding industry and conservation of metals and continues to learn and share that experience.

His work at HES has been in the areas of technological and scientific research, education and skills, materials, collections and archives. He leads our work on managing the cultural assets in our care - the Properties in Care, associated Collections and the HES archive and manages the Engine Shed - Scotland's building conservation hub.

He is an Honorary Professor at the University of Stirling, the Chair of the Stirling Smith Museum and Art Gallery and a Trustee of Stirling District Tourism Ltd.

Stephen Duncan

Director of Marketing and Engagement

Stephen's role involves managing the commercial aspects of our business, learning, outreach and interpretation activities for our visitors across our diverse portfolio of properties and includes responsibility for the organisation's commercial activities.

He has served as a Director of the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA), is a member of the Tourism Leadership Group in Scotland and has also worked as a business consultant on a number of small and large scale tourism projects.

Stephen has been chair of the Heritage Tourism Group since May 2013. In September 2014, Stephen was appointed to the board of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), the UKs most popular and iconic museums galleries and heritage attractions. He serves on the board of BIDS Scotland and is a Director of the trading arm of Historic Environment Scotland’s enterprise company.

Alison Turnbull

Director of External Relations and Partnerships

Alison’s role ensures that HES takes a consistent approach engaging with other organisations and connecting with HES and sector priorities. She oversees and supports delivery of a number of corporate strategies with cross-organisational input. These include Research, International, Our Place in Time, Gaelic Language Plan, Intangible Heritage Policy Statement, our Equality Outcomes and Fundraising. The Directorate also cover Corporate Governance, our grants function, community engagement and managing several strategic relationships on behalf of HES.

Alison has over 15 years of experience within the heritage sector, serving as the Head of Research and Development at the Museum Galleries Scotland. Before that she worked in a range of policy development roles in the Scottish Government, corporate communications, research and tertiary education.

Alison has degrees in Sociology and Cultural Studies from the University of Auckland. She is a former Deputy Chair of Hearts & Minds and is currently a Director for Scotland’s Towns Partnership.

Craig Marshall

Director of Finance and Corporate Services

Craig oversees the finances of the organisation and is responsible for developing and implementing our financial strategy, ensuring a long term financially sustainable and resilient organisation and delivery of an ambitious forward plan. He has directorial responsibility for a range of corporate functions including Finance, Procurement, Corporate Analysis and Performance, Information Governance, Project Management, Legal Services, Internal Audit and Business Improvement.

Craig is a full member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and has worked in the public sector for more than 20 years including senior Finance roles within the NHS and Higher Education.

Craig also acts in a voluntary capacity as a trustee for the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home as well as a council member for the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Lindsey Ross

Director of People

Lindsey is responsible for the HES People Directorate and for developing and implementing our People Strategy to ensure that our people are at the heart of what we do. She is passionate about helping people be at their best to deliver brilliantly for our customers and communities.

Lindsey has joined us from Lloyds Banking Group where she spent 16 years working in a number of senior HR roles, most recently Head of HR for Insurance Operations and Head of Talent and Development.

Lindsey is a social policy graduate of Edinburgh University and an Associate Member of CIPD.