Public appointment: chair appointed to Historic Environment Scotland

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, Ms Gilruth, today announced the appointment of Hugh Hall as Chair of Historic Environment Scotland

Ms Gilruth said:

“I welcome the appointment of Hugh Hall as the new Chair of Historic Environment Scotland. Hugh brings to the post a wealth of experience of the public sector including senior positions in the education, economic development, tourism and housing sectors which will be invaluable as HES addresses the challenges and opportunities for Scotland’s Historic Environment as we emerge from the pandemic.”

Chair

Hugh Hall has extensive experience of the public sector including senior positions in the education, economic development, tourism and housing sectors. Hugh has a wide range of leadership, transformational change and 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.

Appointment

This appointment will be for four years and will run from 19 January 2022 to 18 January 2026.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time, with a time commitment of four days per month. Appointments to Historic Environment Scotland are not remunerated.

Other ministerial appointments

Hugh Hall does not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. 

Hugh Hall had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Historic Environment Scotland are the lead body for the historic environment in Scotland and are an executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) dedicated to protecting and promoting our nation’s historic environment. As such, they operate within the context of the Scottish Government’s national outcomes and strategic objectives, including public service reform. Like other, similar cultural organisations, they are also a recognised Scottish Charity and operate within the framework of charity regulation.

Historic Environment Scotland are core funded by the Scottish Government, but also derive at least 50 per cent of their income from operating their estate of key visitor attractions and ancillary, commercial activities.