The National Lottery Heritage Fund has announced the appointment of Eilish McGuinness as its new Chief Executive Officer following a four-month search.
Taking on the new role from the new year, McGuiness is replacing Ros Kerslake who announced her departure as CEO of the NLHF and National Heritage Memorial Fund after five and a half years.
Vastly experienced in the Heritage industry, McGuinness joined the NLHF in 1996 and has held roles in both operational and strategic capacities. Currently, she is serving as the fund’s Executive Director of Business Delivery.
McGuinness commented: “It is an enormous privilege to have this opportunity to lead the Heritage Fund and National Heritage Memorial Fund and support organisations and communities who look after our rich and varied heritage right across the UK.
“The Heritage Fund has played a vital role in helping organisations impacted by the pandemic, and I want to pay tribute to Ros Kerslake, our trustees, our committees and our brilliant staff for all their work in delivering not only National Lottery funding but also emergency funding on behalf of government departments in three countries. I look forward to ensuring we continue to be responsive to the needs of the heritage as we recover from the pandemic.”
Before joining the fund in 1996, McGuinness worked in heritage roles with Historic Scotland, Historic Monuments & Buildings Branch, Northern Ireland and in the heritage sector in Dublin, establishing knowledge of the industry early on in her career.
Dr Simon Thurley CBE, Chair of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Heritage Memorial Fund, added: “I am delighted that the Trustees have chosen Eilish McGuinness as Chief Executive to succeed Ros Kerslake.
“The Trustees were presented with an extremely strong field for one of the best jobs in heritage and we are delighted to appoint someone with wide experience, outstanding management and leadership ability and a strong strategic sense. I personally, and the Board of Trustees, look forward to working with Eilish over the coming years.”
