Baroness Kay Andrews OBE becomes first woman Chair of English Heritage

 Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw today announced the appointment of Baroness Kay Andrews as the new Chair of English Heritage.

Baroness Andrews was formerly Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Her appointment followed an open competition under full Nolan procedures earlier in the year, and will run for four years from 27 July 2009.

Ben Bradshaw said:

"English Heritage plays a key role in so many of my department's programmes, and we greatly value its expertise and experience, and the important work it does to bring our historic environment alive for everyone. 

"Kay Andrews was the unanimous choice of the independent panel that assessed all the applicants for the Chair, and takes on the chairmanship at an important time for the organisation.  Public interest in our history and heritage is really high at home, and looks set to captivate the huge numbers who will come to the UK in 2012.  There are exciting times ahead and she is wonderfully well-qualified to lead English Heritage through them.

"I must also thank Sir Barry Cunliffe who has been a most diligent interim Chairman since last September and I thank him warmly for stepping in to lead the organisation following Sandy Bruce Lockhart's death in August."

Baroness Andrews added:

"I am delighted to be appointed the new Chair of English Heritage.  I am conscious that I do so following last year's tragic death of Sandy Bruce-Lockhart.  He was a great man and a wonderful champion of England's heritage.   It will be the greatest privilege for me to take up the baton and be directly involved in the protection and promotion of the historic environment all around us and under our feet.

"Living, as I do, in the middle of Lewes – one of our most beautiful towns - I appreciate, on a daily basis, the living history we see in our streets and downland landscapes.   But we hold our unique historic environment in trust not just for those who are lucky enough to live with it but also for those who come to marvel at it from all over the world.

"But the greatest responsibility we have is to enthuse the next generation so that they understand the significance of the historic environment for them.   As a child, I remember being taken to Cardiff Castle and the curiosity and enjoyment which has grown over the years stems from that early experience. I believe very strongly that inspiring and opening doors for children to enjoy and care for our historic places is one of the most important things English Heritage can do and I look forward to working with everyone there to ensure we achieve this".

Further Comments

Ruth Chambers, Campaign for National Parks:

"Kay Andrews has been a consistent supporter of National Parks during her ministerial career and has a deep understanding of the issues that make rural England tick and why natural and cultural heritage matters to people and why it needs protecting."

Anthea Case CBE, Chair of Heritage Link:

"Kay's very positive ministerial address at Heritage Link's National Heritage Day in 2006 showed an excellent understanding of heritage issues and of the value of the voluntary heritage organisations to both government and local communities. This with her experience as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government together with her earlier background in education and her own personal interest in heritage, will make her a powerful advocate over the next four years.'
 
Her ministerial responsibilities at Communities and Local Government (CLG) since 2005 included planning and heritage, culture and regeneration as well as the third sector. Such a portfolio means she has been closely involved in many of the key developments affecting our national heritage. For Heritage Link and its 75 members, her involvement in the heritage protection reform process is particularly valued. Heritage Link was disappointed when the long- awaited heritage Protection Bill was omitted from the current parliamentary legislative programme. Baroness Andrew's experience in CLG, however, strengthens English Heritage's connections with local government whose role and capacity is critical to the successful implementation of heritage protection reform through a future Bill or by other means."

President, Edward Harley, Historic Houses Association:

"Lady Andrews has shown that she understands that heritage, including privately owned heritage, can be the catalyst for economic activity, as well as an inspiration to many.
 
At a difficult time it is important that English Heritage supports owners in their efforts to secure a viable future for historic properties.  We look forward to welcoming Lady Andrews and to developing our long-term partnership with English Heritage."

Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund:

"We're delighted to welcome Baroness Andrews as Chair of English Heritage.  She is a long term champion of our heritage and of the importance of getting more people - especially the younger generation -  involved with and learning from it.  This is a passion we share and I am really looking forward to working with her."

Statement From The Joint Committee Of National Amenity Societies:

"The Joint Committee of the National Amenity Societies is delighted by the appointment of Kay Andrews as the new Chair of English Heritage. We know from her time at Communities and local Government how much she understands the importance of our heritage and we are certain that the experience she brings from working with Communities and local Government and the Department for Culture Media and Sport will be invaluable."