Public appointment: Interim Chair appointed to Historic Environment Scotland Board

The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, Màiri McAllan, today announced the appointment of Ronnie Hinds as Chair of Historic Environment Scotland on an interim basis.

Chair

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for the oversight of some of Scotland’s most iconic places and national treasures. Its staff bring expertise and dedication to the maintenance of over 300 properties in their care, to the benefit of the people of Scotland and international visitors.

Such responsibilities need to be matched by the highest standards of governance and behaviour by those charged with leading the organisation.

Mr Hinds has been invited by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic to play a part in ensuring that these standards are met. As Interim Chair, he will work with Board members and the staff of HES to deliver the changes and improvements identified in the recent external review of organisational culture and structure.

Mr Hinds is the former Chief Executive of Fife Council and, since his retirement in 2013, has held a number of senior public appointments.  Most recently, he served as interim Chair of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, where he played a key role in addressing significant organisational challenges.

Appointment

This appointment will be for 1 year and will run from 13 July 2026 to 12 July 2027.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £408 per day for a time commitment of up to 6 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Mr Hinds 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.   

Mr Hinds has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is the lead public body established to investigate, care for and promote Scotland's historic environment. A non-departmental public body with charitable status, HES is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by Scottish Ministers.

HES cares for more than 300 nationally significant historic properties, including Edinburgh Castle, Skara Brae, Fort George and hundreds of other sites across the country. Together, these attractions welcome more than 5 million visitors each year.

HES also manages internationally important collections documenting Scotland's historic environment, including more than 5 million drawings, photographs, negatives and manuscripts, as well as over 20 million aerial images of locations around the world.

Through investment of more than £12 million annually, HES supports communities across Scotland by helping to protect, regenerate and promote the active use of the historic environment. Its work broadens access to heritage, supports sustainable economic and rural development, and strengthens local identity and sense of place.