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Chief Executive of Historic Environment Scotland resigns

Alex Paterson (Historic Environment Scotland)

Alex Paterson, who joined HES in 2016 leaves the role to “move on to new things”

The Chief Executive of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has resigned after more than seven years in the role.

The public body, which promotes Scotland’s historic environment, said Alex Paterson has made the decision to “move on to new things”.

Paterson joined HES in September 2016, shortly after the merger of Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS).

HES said Paterson had “steered HES through a time in which it has grown and developed as an organisation and negotiated a number of challenges, not least a global pandemic.”

On Alex’s departure, Hugh Hall, HES Board Chair, said of Paterson: “His achievements are many. Most notably, he has overseen the transformation of HES to become a leading heritage body whose success and professionalism is recognised throughout the UK and beyond.

“There will be ample opportunity to acknowledge Alex’s valuable contribution to HES prior to his departure. He will leave with our deepest gratitude and with our very best wishes for the future.”

An exact date for Paterson’s departure, and his replacement, were not specified.

Paterson was previously Chief Executive at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and has had experience in the commercial sector with an early career at companies including Esso Chemicals, and Volvo.