Local Government Association chairman, Lord Bruce-Lockhart, has been appointed as the new chair of English Heritage. Lord Bruce-Lockhart officially steps down from his LGA post in August, before taking up his new £45,000 a year part-time job on 1 August in a five-year contract. Culture secretary, Tessa Jowell, who announced his appointment to the Government's statutory adviser on the historic environment, said English Heritage would benefit from Lord Bruce-Lockhart's leadership and ‘wide public sector experience'. ‘Sandy Bruce-Lockhart has a distinguished record in public life, particularly in local government, and is ideally placed to lead English Heritage,' Ms Jowell said. ‘It will be a busy time for the new chair, including taking a key role in the implementation of the White Paper, Heritage protection in the 21st century.' The former leader of Kent CC, who takes over from current chair, Sir Neil Cossons, in August, said it was a ‘terrific time' to be taking on such an important role. ‘The nations' built heritage is as loved by the public now as it has ever been in the past,' he said. ‘The months and years ahead will contain many opportunities, and challenges for English Heritage, and I am honoured to have the chance to lead it through this exciting period.' Lord Bruce-Lockhart has held a variety of local government, public and voluntary sector roles, as both a chairman and leader. Most notably, he was chair of the Weald Kent Preservation Society Committee, co-chair of the Thames Gateway Forum and chair of the Environment Committee. His current posts include being a trustee of Leeds Castle Foundation, chair of Rochester Cathedral Council, and president of Kent Thameside Development Board.
