Andy Burnham appoints interim chair for English Heritage
94/2008
17 September 2008
Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe has been appointed as the interim-chair of English Heritage, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham announced today.
Professor Sir Barry’s appointment follows the sad death of Lord Bruce-Lockhart in August 2008.
Professor Sir Barry, who is currently a trustee of the British Museum and Chair of the Hampshire Museum Trust, served on the English Heritage Commission between 1986 and 1992. Professor Sir Barry will take up the post of Chairman immediately, his role ending when a replacement for Sandy Bruce-Lockhart is appointed. We expect that a new chairman can be identified and in post by Easter 2009.
Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said:
“I would like to thank Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe for taking up the reins at English Heritage during this period. I am sure that English Heritage will benefit from the breadth of his experience within the organisation.”
Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe said:
“Although these are sad circumstances I am honoured to be asked to lead English Heritage in this interim period and look forward to working with staff and Commissioners.”
Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe has been Professor of European Archaeology at Oxford University since 1972. Before this, he was Assistant Lecturer in the Classics Department at Bristol University, and then Professor of Archaeology at the University of Southampton (1963 to 1972).
During a career of more than 30 years in Archaeology, Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe has served on a variety of public bodies in the Archaeology sector, including the Ancient Monuments Board, the Museum of London, the British Museum, the Mary Rose Trust and the Council for British Archaeology, in addition to being an English Heritage Commissioner from 1986-1992. He has published numerous books on archaeology. For three years, he presented the Radio 4 programme, ‘Age to Age’. He was knighted in 2006.
Notes to editors
- Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe will be paid £15,000 for 30 days per annum, pro rata.
- An open recruitment process for the post of Chair of English Heritage will begin later in the year.
- English Heritage is the government’s lead body for the historic environment in England and is responsible for protecting the best of the country’s unique legacy of historic buildings, landscapes and archaeological sites for the benefit of this and future generations. For full details please visit the English Heritage website or contact English Heritage customer services on 0870 333 1181 or 1182.
Press Enquiries: 0207 211 6052/6277
Out of hours telephone pager no: 07699 751153
Public Enquiries: 0207 211 6200
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