EDINBURGH WORLD HERITAGE ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR
25 Jan 2008
Edinburgh World Heritage has announced today the appointment of a new director, Adam Wilkinson. Adam will join EWH in April from the campaigning organisation SAVE Britain’s Heritage, where he has been Secretary for the past seven years.
Adam said: “I have always been enchanted by both the immense beauty and story behind Edinburgh’s unique architectural heritage, and so I am delighted to play a part in preserving it for future generations."
The World Heritage site is both architecturally and historically of the highest order of importance, but it is also a living city with a strong identity. It must be seen as a spur to creative and respectful answers to further development, not a barrier to change.
Edinburgh World Heritage has a strong proactive role to play in enabling projects, while also protecting and promoting the enduring values of the World Heritage Site. I greatly look forward to helping shape that role in the future.
Adam’s background in conservation and preservation brings a wealth of experience to EWH. With SAVE he has led campaigns to save a variety of threatened historic buildings, from aircraft test structures at RAE Farnborough to terraced housing targeted under the government’s Pathfinder scheme. He played a key part in the recent initiative to rescue Dumfries House, which saw the John and Robert Adam designed building and its unique collections saved for the nation.
Professor Charles McKean, chairman of Edinburgh World Heritage said: "I am really pleased that Adam is to direct Edinburgh World Heritage. His experience, energy and drive have been demonstrated at SAVE - not least through his involvement with the saving of Dumfries House. He will greatly add to and complement the existing skills of the EWH team. It will be an enormous boost to the organisation and to Edinburgh as a whole, and I greatly look forward to working with him."
John Graham, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland, said: "Adam Wilkinson has a strong background in heritage and I look forward to working with him to protect and promote the World Heritage Site."
Cllr Jenny Dawe, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I look forward to working with Adam in achieving our common goal of maintaining Edinburgh’s World Heritage status whilst promoting sustainable development to ensure the city’s continued prosperity.”
Adam Wilkinson has been Secretary of SAVE Britain’s Heritage since March 2001. During that time he has played a crucial role in RAE Farnborough, Span 4 at Paddington Station, reducing the demolition targets under the government’s Pathfinder scheme from 400,000 to 50,000, and the campaigns to save Tyntesfield and Dumfries House. His work has included campaigns in Italy and Moscow with Save Europe’s Heritage, and previously assisting with heritage projects in the Kathmandu Valley and Bangladesh for the UNESCO Division of Cultural Heritage.
Adam is a council member of Europa Nostra, a trustee of the Monuments and Mausolea Trust, a committee member of the Churches Conservation Trust, and sits on the board of directors for Maintain our Heritage.
Edinburgh World Heritage is the official champion of the city’s World Heritage Site, and acts to protect, enhance and promote its key historic values. EWH was formed in 1999, and is jointly funded by the City of Edinburgh Council and Historic Scotland.
The work of EWH is focused on three core areas:
Influence & Monitor
EWH influences policy, planning and development, promotes good new design and monitors change within the World Heritage Site.
Conserve & Enhance
EWH administers a Conservation Funding Programme to conserve the World Heritage Site.
Promote & Educate
EWH promotes awareness and understanding of the World Heritage Site.
For more details visit www.ewht.org.uk
The centre of Edinburgh was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995.
Edinburgh World Heritage
The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust (EWHT) was created by the amalgamation of the Old Town Renewal Trust and the New Town Conservation Committee in 1999. The Trust is funded by Historic Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council.
The aim of The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust is to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Edinburgh UNESCO Site's special architectural or historic interest. EWHT seeks to co-ordinate activities necessary for the protection of the heritage value of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site through controlled development.
Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, 5 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh
Contact the EWHT: 0131 220 7720
More info on Edinburgh World Heritage Site:- www.heritage.edinburgh.gov.uk
Other UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the Taj Mahal, Florence and Prague.
Scottish Architecture
Contact the EWHT: info@ewht.org.uk
Edinburgh Skyline Study hosted at EWHT in 2007
Edinburgh World Heritage Trust chairman : Charles McKean
Edinburgh Walking Tours
Edinburgh : back to index
Buildings / photos for the Edinburgh World Heritage Architecture page welcome:
info@edinburgharchitecture.co.uk
Edinburgh World Heritage Trust : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt
Edinburgh World Heritage Site:- www.heritage.edinburgh.gov.uk