Historic England has appointed six new board members, according to a government announcement. The appointments take effect from 1 October 2026 and run until 30 September 2030.

Key points

  • Appointments — Six new commissioners join Historic England's board from October 2026 to September 2030.
  • Backgrounds — The appointees bring experience in investment banking, consulting, heritage, property, culture and local government.
  • Roles — They will help oversee England's heritage sector, including historic buildings and regeneration.
  • Start date — All terms begin on 1 October 2026.

Charles Donald CBE has nearly 40 years in investment banking, public finance and corporate governance. He was chief executive of UK Government Investments from 2020 to January 2026 and chaired the OECD's working party on state ownership from 2021 to 2024. In June 2026 he was appointed CBE for services to public finance.

Dominic Field spent two decades at Boston Consulting Group, where he founded its digital practice and held senior leadership roles. He is a board member at London & Partners and a trustee of the Design Museum.

Dr Anna Keay OBE is a historian and director of the Landmark Trust, overseeing more than 200 historic properties. She was curatorial director of English Heritage from 2002 to 2012. Her book The Restless Republic was a Sunday Times History Book of the Year in 2022, and in 2026 she became the official biographer of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Georgina Lynch is managing director of the PJ Livesey Group, a property developer specialising in heritage-led regeneration. She has over 20 years in commercial and residential property, focusing on converting historic buildings. She is a trustee of the Heritage Trust for the North West.

Claire McColgan has more than 30 years in culture-led regeneration. As director of culture for Liverpool, she worked on the city's 2008 European Capital of Culture year, Eurovision 2023 and the UK's COVID-19 reopening programme. She is deputy chair of the UK City of Culture programme.

Lukman Patel is chief executive of Burnley Borough Council and a solicitor. He has led work on town centre regeneration, using heritage assets and cultural investment to support economic development and community benefit.

Editor's comment

What it means in practice

The new commissioners will shape how England's historic buildings and sites are protected and reused. For people involved in heritage projects or living in areas with historic buildings, this could affect planning decisions and funding priorities. The appointments bring commercial and regeneration experience to the board.

  • Heritage projects — More focus on reusing old buildings could speed up regeneration in towns.
  • Local decisions — Councils and developers may see changes in how heritage concerns are balanced with new housing.
  • Public engagement — Cultural expertise on the board may lead to more community involvement in heritage sites.