SCOTLAND'S biggest conservation charity is looking for a new chief executive after it emerged that the current post holder, Kate Mavor, is heading south of the Border.

 

Financially troubled National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has confirmed that Ms Mavor is to take up the equivalent job at English Heritage in May.

It comes just months after she warned there was a risk the NTS would be taken to the "brink" of collapse because of the multi-million pound repair and restoration bill it faces over the next decade.

The organisation has completed its search for a new chairman, with Sir Moir Lockhead succeeding Sir Kenneth Calman who announced his retirement after five years at the helm.

With Sir Moir confirmed in the role, Sir Kenneth decided to bring his retirement forward from September to May so that the new chairman can make an early start on planning for the conservation charity's long-term future, said NTS.

Cost-cutting measures discussed at the NTS annual general meeting in October included a major downsizing of its existing 80-strong portfolio of flagship attractions, a rebranding to attract a younger audience and shed an elitist image, and a merger with other heritage bodies.

Sir Kenneth said that he would be standing down to allow a new figurehead to steer the charity through the transition period and tackle "the many issues and challenges."

Ms Mavor estimated last year that the charity needed to raise another £46 million over the next decade just to achieve the conservation ambitions NTS has have for its existing portfolio of properties.

She was appointed six years ago at a time of NTS crisis, when its financial reserves had plummeted millions of pounds below the recommended level.

Within thre months there were plans to close 11 properties run by the NTS to the public to try to improve its financial position by £3 million. Some 91 jobs were also to go.

Deputy chairman Jill Carrick said: "Although both Ken and Kate will be with us for a few months yet, we can reflect on the fact that they formed a formidable team which helped to rescue the Trust from one of the most difficult periods in its eighty-two year history.

"Between them, they steered the Trust through far-reaching modernisation and reform and re-built the charity's finances away from the point where our reserves were at a dangerously low level.

"I know from talking to members, volunteers and peers in the heritage sector that Ken and Kate between them have managed to restore confidence and respect for the National Trust for Scotland and have established firm foundations for our future sustainability, credibility and growth."

According to English Heritage, Ms Mavor was instrumental in transforming NTS's fortunes, "introducing a five-year-plan to restore its financial stability and giving the charity a new sense of purpose".

Ms Mavor will lead plans for the charity to become completely self-funding within eight years.

Its chairman Sir Tim Laurence said: "Kate is exactly the right person to lead the new charity at this important time."

Ms Carrick added: "From my own perspective, I have been privileged to watch Sir Ken grace us with his wise and enlightened guidance as the board of trustees wrestled with many difficult problems.

"I think that Kate's new appointment proves that her abilities in running a large, complex charity within the heritage sector, where there is a perennial struggle for funding, have been recognised and valued. We were fortunate to have her as our chief executive for six years, just at the time we needed her most.

"Ken and Kate will leave behind them a National Trust for Scotland that is in good order and ready to face up to the fresh challenges of the future."

Sir Moir will chair a Board of Trustees meeting for the first time on May 7.

The Trust's Nominations Committee will begin the search for a new chief executive with immediate effect.

NTS says that if necessary, an interim chief executive will be appointed if Ms Mavor's successor has not been chosen or is unable to take up the post by the time of her departure.