Professor Ronald Hutton is appointed a Commissioner of English Heritage

Barbara Follett, the Minister for Culture, announced today that Professor Ronald Hutton has been appointed a Commissioner of English Heritage. His term of appointment runs from 1st October 2009 to 30 September 2013.

Biographical Notes

Ronald Hutton is Professor of History at the University of Bristol (August 1996 to date). Prior to this he was a Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, before serving as Lecturer and then Reader in History at Bristol University (1981 to 1996). He is the author of fourteen books and many shorter works and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries. Since the 1980s he has been involved with the broadcast media, including the writing and presentation of documentaries for London Weekend Television, and the designing and hosting of three successive series of a historians' quiz game, 'Battling with the Past', for BBC Radio Four. He has undertaken no political activity for the past five years.

Background

English Heritage was established by the National Heritage Act 1983 as the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England. It is the Government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment.  English Heritage (EH) receives around three quarters of its income from the Exchequer in the form of Grant in Aid (£129.4 million in 2007/2008). The remainder (£49.2 million) is self generated from commercial activities and fund raising. English Heritage’s role is to champion and care for the historic environment.
 
EH Commissioners receive an allowance which directly reflects the level of responsibilities undertaken, such as chairing an Advisory Committee and/or duties as a regional Commissioner. The remuneration range is currently £4,030 to £9,200 per annum.

This appointment has been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice.  Appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.