Historic England Board Appointments

Charles Donald, Dominic Field, Anna Keay, Georgina Lynch, Claire McColgan, Lukman Patel, and Moira Sinclair have been appointed to the Historic England Commission by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Charles Donald

Appointed from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2030

Charles Donald CBE has almost 40 years' experience across investment banking, public sector finance and corporate governance, including senior leadership roles within UK Government Investments.

In 2018, he joined UK Government Investments as Head of the Financial Institutions Group, before serving as Chief Executive Officer from 2020 to January 2026.

Alongside his UK roles, Charles served as Chair of the OECD's Working Party on State Ownership and Privatisation Practices from 2021 to 2024. In March 2026, he was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the Department for Transport Operator Board.

Charles has previously held a number of board and trustee positions, including as a Non-Executive Director of the UK Infrastructure Bank, now the National Wealth Fund, a Trustee of Help for Heroes and Chair of the Lambrook School Trust. In June 2026, he was appointed a CBE for services to public finance.

Dominic Field

Appointed from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2030

Dominic is an experienced corporate leader with more than 30 years' experience across consulting, digital transformation and organisational leadership, including a 20 year career at Boston Consulting Group.

During his time at Boston Consulting Group, Dominic held senior leadership roles and was the founding leader of its digital practice. He has worked with a range of organisations and company boards, advising on digital transformation and the implementation of digital solutions.

Dominic currently holds a number of board and trustee positions across the public, cultural and business sectors. He is a Board Member at London & Partners and a Trustee of the Design Museum. He also works as an Executive Coach, supporting senior leaders and organisations.

Anna Keay

Appointed from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2030

Dr Anna Keay OBE is a historian, curator and specialist in historic buildings, with extensive experience across the heritage and cultural sectors.

She is Director of the Landmark Trust, where she has led work to rescue and restore historic buildings at risk and oversees an estate of more than 200 historic properties. She previously served as Curatorial Director of English Heritage from 2002 to 2012, having earlier worked as a curator at Historic Royal Palaces.

Alongside her executive career, Anna holds a number of board and trustee roles across the heritage, cultural and commercial sectors. She is a Trustee of the Royal Collection Trust, the Pilgrim Trust and the Duke of Lancaster's Foundation, and a Non-Executive Director of Big Yellow Self Storage.

Anna is also a published historian and biographer. Her books include The Restless Republic, which was named a Sunday Times History Book of the Year in 2022, and The Last Royal Rebel: The Life and Death of James, Duke of Monmouth. In 2026, she was appointed the official biographer of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Georgina Lynch

Appointed from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2030

Georgina Lynch is Managing Director of the PJ Livesey Group, a specialist property developer focused on heritage led regeneration. She has more than 20 years' experience in commercial and residential property, with a particular focus on the conversion and reuse of historic buildings.

Prior to becoming Managing Director of the PJ Livesey Group, Georgina founded and led a health club business operating within heritage buildings. In her current role, she oversees the delivery of residential developments involving the restoration and reuse of former hospitals, mills, schools and other historic buildings, balancing conservation considerations with commercial viability and the needs of local communities.

Georgina has extensive experience of the role heritage can play in supporting housing delivery and the regeneration of towns and cities. She works with local authorities, heritage organisations and policymakers to consider barriers to development and support collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Alongside her executive role, Georgina is a Trustee of the Heritage Trust for the North West.

Claire McColgan

Appointed from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2030

Claire is an experienced cultural leader with more than 30 years' experience in culture-led regeneration, major events and community engagement at both a local and national level.

As Director of Culture, Visitor Economy and Major Events for Liverpool and the wider city region, Claire has played a leading role in the delivery of a number of major cultural programmes and events, including Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture in 2008, Eurovision 2023 and the UK's COVID-19 reopening programme. She has also led work supporting Liverpool's designation as a UNESCO City of Music and its involvement in the UN Accelerator City programme.

Claire has extensive experience of community engagement and cultural participation, including through the development and delivery of Liverpool's Creative Communities programme. She is also an international adviser and speaker on culture and regeneration.

Claire currently serves as Deputy Chair of the UK City of Culture programme and as a Non-Executive Director of Carnegie UK and Visit Isle of Man. She has been appointed an MBE and subsequently a CBE for her contribution to culture.

Lukman Patel

Appointed from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2030

Lukman is Chief Executive of Burnley Borough Council, a solicitor and an experienced local government leader with a background spanning regeneration, governance, asset management and organisational change. As Chief Executive, Lukman provides strategic leadership across the council's regeneration and place agenda, including investment, planning, housing, education and economic development. 

Lukman has played a leading role in Burnley's approach to town centre regeneration, including the use of heritage assets and cultural investment to support economic development and community benefit. His work has included securing investment for the restoration and reuse of listed buildings and supporting heritage-led regeneration initiatives across the borough.

He has also supported Burnley's development as a university town, with a focus on strengthening educational opportunities and creating opportunities for young people and families. Throughout his local government career, Lukman has worked closely with partners across the public, private and community sectors to support the long-term development of Burnley and the wider area.

Moira Sinclair

Appointed from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2030

Moira is a skilled Board and Executive leader, with more than 40 years' experience in funding, policy and delivery across the arts, heritage and charity sectors. 

In 2025, she stepped down after 10 years as Chief Executive of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Previously from 2005 to 2015, she was Executive Director for London and South East for Arts Council England. She played a key role supporting the cultural programme for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She also chaired the London Mayor's Cultural Leadership Board until 2024. 

Moira is currently Chair of Clore Leadership and Chair of Factory International in Manchester. She is also Chair of the Investment Committee for the Arts & Culture Impact Fund and a trustee of the National Landscapes Association. 

She was awarded an OBE in the 2021 New Year Honours List for her contribution to the arts and charity.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Commissioners of Historic England are remunerated at £4,133 per year.

These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. 

Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election.Charles Donald, Dominic Field, Anna Keay, Georgina Lynch, Claire McColgan, Lukman Patel, and Moira Sinclair have not declared any significant political activity.

Notes to Editors

DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 44 Public Bodies including Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, the National Gallery, UK Sport and the Gambling Commission. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. To find out more about Public Appointments or to apply visit the HM Government Public Appointments Website.