Craig Mearns is our first Director of Operations. He is responsible for the operational delivery of all the activity on our sites and much of the day-to-day activity we do in local communities. He leads a team of around 800 HES colleagues based across Scotland, with diverse roles covering conservation, visitor services, local community engagement, ranger services and asset management.
Craig joins us following over 30 years’ service in the Royal Navy. He has worked across the globe and held a range of operational roles in the Arabian Gulf, Mediterranean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Pacific and in Afghanistan. He also served in the Ministry of Defence, Whitehall, was instrumental bringing the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth into service and most recently was Captain of the Base at Faslane, where he led a large team and coordinated the safe operation of a site employing almost 7000 people.
Craig is a graduate of the University of Aberdeen and Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham. He is a Member of the Institute of Directors and has a range of external interests, including golf, skiing, dog-walking and campervan expeditions.