Leadership Transition at English Heritage
The head of English Heritage has resigned, much to the satisfaction of several employees who were dissatisfied with the financial reductions implemented during his tenure.
Several individuals within the heritage sector expressed approval upon hearing about Nick Merriman’s resignation, attributing their relief to his controversial restructuring initiatives.
In an earlier report by The Guardian in January, it was revealed that the financially troubled organization had planned to lay off up to 200 employees, which constitutes at least 7% of its staff. The layoffs were expected to heavily impact curators and included the seasonal shutdown of various historic properties under its management.
As part of the cost-reduction measures, 22 properties were designated as “hidden gems” with restricted public access. Additionally, numerous specialists within the organization faced redundancy or demotion to lower-paying roles.
An anonymous source commented on Merriman’s exit, saying, “Very good people have been forced out. Those who remain are not pleased with the outcome of the restructuring efforts.”
Gerard Lemos, the chair of the trustees, issued a formal announcement to the staff explaining that Merriman’s resignation was prompted by personal issues related to family health. He confirmed the board’s acceptance of Merriman’s immediate resignation and expressed gratitude for his contributions during his tenure.
Lemos highlighted that since February 2024, Merriman had guided English Heritage through a difficult period, overseeing significant changes aimed at ensuring the organization’s financial stability.
English Heritage is responsible for the upkeep of over 400 historic sites, monuments, and buildings. Following the cessation of government funding, the charity now depends on revenue from memberships, ticket sales, and retail operations in its shops and cafes. Prior to the job cuts, English Heritage employed 2,535 staff members and around 5,000 volunteers.
The attempt to restructure and reduce expenses earlier in the year led to significant confusion. Despite plans set to finalize by April, employees were still uncertain about their future weeks later, while reports surfaced of high-priced consultants being hired, adding to the staff’s frustration.
An insider in April expressed their frustration regarding the unclear selection process for job vacancies: “Individuals who were the only candidates in their pool were still required to undergo interviews, only to be inexplicably rejected. It was a textbook example of how not to manage a reorganization.”
On Tuesday, discussions about the redundancy process revealed ongoing deep-seated resentment among both former and current employees.
In April, English Heritage defended the cutbacks, stating that the goal was to ensure the organization’s financial durability and ability to continue fulfilling its charitable objectives. They committed to collaborating with employees and unions to minimize and possibly avoid layoffs.
Some staff members felt that under Merriman’s leadership, the organization drifted away from its fundamental mission of preserving ancient monuments. One insider remarked, “It seemed he wasn’t particularly interested in that core aspect.”
Speculation about the driving force behind the restructuring—whether it was primarily Merriman or the trustees—was rampant among the staff. Another source suggested, “It seems he might have been pushed out by the trustees, who possibly lost confidence in him some time ago.”
In the interim, the trustees have appointed Geoff Parkin as the acting chief executive. Over the past year, Parkin has contributed pro bono to developing a new commercial strategy for English Heritage and has served as the non-executive chair for two private equity-backed travel companies, as noted by Lord Lemos.
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Fatima Clarke is a seasoned health reporter who bridges medical science with human stories. She writes with compassion, precision, and a drive to inform.
