The HLF Committee for Yorkshire and the Humber is made up of leading figures in the heritage sector across the region who are chosen for their wide range of experience and local knowledge. Responsible for making decisions on regional applications to the fund from £50,000 to £1million, the committee is supported by the regional HLF team for Yorkshire and the Humber, who operate from Leeds-based offices.

Gary, who lives on a working farm near Leyburn, Wensleydale and is an award-winning Dales sheep farmer, is well known for increasing Yorkshire’s popularity as a tourist destination. In joining the HLF Committee in Yorkshire he will lead the existing six other members of the committee* made up of local people through open advertisement. Their expertise widely reflects and compliments the range of heritage applications that HLF receives.

Commenting on his appointment, Gary Verity, said: “It is an honour to have taken over as Chair of the Yorkshire Committee. I am incredibly excited by the opportunity and I consider it a privilege to hold the position and hope to follow the shining example set by my predecessor.”
 
Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “We are extremely pleased to be welcoming Gary Verity to the committee as our new Chair. He brings a wealth of experience to what is already a very strong team of decision makers. His wide ranging expertise and strong regional awareness will be of great benefit to both HLF and the heritage of Yorkshire and the Humber.”

Recent highlights from around the region awarded by the Yorkshire and the Humber Committee include town-centre regeneration schemes for Keighley and Pontefract; initial backing to Sheffield Cathedral to improve the building as a destination for both locals and tourists; development money to an exciting new project which will enable new speakers to be trained to pass on the legacy of the Holocaust to future generations; and approval for a project to restore the 1904 Autocar – the original predecessor to today’s modern trains.

Notes to editors

* Gary Verity has his first Committee meeting on 2 June 2010. Read more about the Yorkshire and Humber Committee members.

Biography
Gary Verity is Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire. He has successfully raised the profile of Yorkshire on a national and international level having overseen award winning marketing campaigns and major tourism initiatives.

Gary is working closely with tourism businesses, local authorities and other partners to further grow the county’s visitor economy, which has increased to £7billion since his appointment, and champion Yorkshire as a destination of choice for visitors worldwide.
 
A dynamic and motivational leader, Gary has gained a strong reputation as a results-driven Managing Director with international experience in brand building and managing complex businesses. Gary’s proven record of inspirational leadership ranges from entrepreneurial start-up situations to large-scale transformations within FTSE100 companies.
A passionate Yorkshireman, in his spare time Gary is an award-winning Dales sheep farmer and lives on a working farm near Leyburn. He is also a strong advocate of cancer support and has raised more than £400,000 for charities in Yorkshire.

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 30,000 projects allocating £4.5billion across the UK including £351million in Yorkshire & the Humber alone.  

Further information

Vicky Wilford, HLF Press Office on 020 7591 6046 / 07968 129 241 or vickyw@hlf.org.uk.