New Chair for The Heritage Alliance – Peter Ainsworth

Published: 31/07/2018

The Heritage Alliance is delighted to announce that Peter Ainsworth has agreed to be its new
Chair from December 2018.

Peter Ainsworth has over 30 years of commitment to public life. Following a successful career in banking, which he combined with serving as a local councillor, Peter entered Parliament in 1992. During his time asan MPPeter was the shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1998-2001) and then the shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural affairs (from 2001-2002, and again 2005-2009). Peter is currently Chair of the Big Lottery Fund, which thanks to National Lottery players gives grants for the improvement of communities across the UK. He is also Chairman of the Churches Conservation Trust.

Peter will go forward for election as a trustee at The Heritage Alliance’s AGM on 6 December.
Thereafter, if approved, he will assume the role of Chair from Loyd Grossman CBE, who will be
standing down at the AGM at the end of his third and final term of office.

Peter Ainsworth said:

“It’s a great honour to have been asked to succeed Loyd Grossman as Chair of the Heritage Alliance.“

At a time of economic, social and political challenge the values and lessons gifted to us by the past become even more potent. The vast diversity of our historic buildings and landscapes provides thousands of jobs and is the cornerstone of our vital tourist industry. Just as important is the sense of joy, and sometimes awe, to be gained from visiting a great house, a medieval church, or a humble cottage steeped in history. This is for everyone today; it is the duty of our generation to pass it on to the future. “I look forward to getting to know more about all of the Alliance’s different member
organisations very soon.”

Loyd Grossman said:

“After nine years as Chair it is time to step down and I can think of no one better able to fill the role than Peter
Ainsworth. He brings the right combination of political and Board-level experience, as well as sheer unadulterated enthusiasm for this country’s unique and glorious heritage in all its many shapes and sizes. I will be very sorry to step down at the end of my final term of office in December, but I know that the Alliance will continue to go from strength to strength with Peter at the helm.’

Lizzie Glithero-West, The Heritage Alliance’s Chief Executive, said:
“We are all delighted to welcome Peter Ainsworth onto the Alliance Board and his energy and enthusiasm for the Alliance is already so evident.  I very much look forward to working with him. There will be many exciting opportunities and much to do in the months and years ahead, and members will be greatly reassured to know that we have someone of Peter’s stature and ability to speak up for them in all the key political and policy debates.”

For any further information or background quotes please contact Lizzie Glithero - West on 020 7233  0800.

Background

The Heritage Alliance

The Heritage Alliance is England’s biggest coalition of heritage interests. It is a powerful, effective and independent advocate for volunteers and professionals working in the independent heritage sector. It now has over 120 member organisations, ranging from larger charities such as the National Trust and English Heritage to more specialist bodies representing visitors, owners, volunteers, professional practitioners, funders and educationalists. http://www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/

Peter Ainsworth

Previously a Corporate Finance director of a major investment bank, Peter Ainsworth has a thirty year record of commitment to public life. He served as a local councillor before entering Parliament in 1992 where his roles included Opposition Deputy Chief Whip, Shadow Culture Secretary, Shadow Environment Secretary and Chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee; he was also a member of the Speaker’s Advisory Commi
ttee on Works of Art. He introduced two Private Member’s Bills - on protecting hedgerows and supporting Green energy - the provisions of which are now law. Until recently Chairman of the wild plant charity Plantlife and of the Elgar Foundation, he is currently Chair of the UK Big Lottery Fund, which makes grants to education, health, environmental and social causes; a board member of the Environment Agency; and Chairman of the Churches Conservation Trust. He is a Patron of the College of St Barnabas. His interests include music, poetry, doodling and writing. He is a member of Friends of the Earth.