Sir Neil joins the 12-strong NHMF/HLF Board whose role is to steer the policy and direction of both Funds and take decisions on grant applications. NHMF, the nation’s grant-in-aid fund of last resort for heritage, has a current annual budget of £4-5million and HLF’s grant budget for 2015-16 is approximately £400m.

Sir Peter Luff, Chair of NHMF and HLF, said: “This appointment is excellent news. Sir Neil will bring invaluable and wide-ranging experience to the Board.  As the heritage sector continues to face many challenges, particularly sharply reduced local authority budgets, HLF has to make ever more difficult decisions about which projects to support."

[quote=Sir Peter Luff, Chair of NHMF and HLF]"Sir Neil will bring invaluable and wide-ranging experience to the Board."[/quote]

Sir Neil Cossons has been active in the fields of industrial archaeology and heritage since the early 1960s. From 1983 to 1986 he was Director of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, and for 14 years Director of the Science Museum, London. From 2000 until 2007 he was Chairman of English Heritage, the principal adviser on the historic environment of England. He was knighted for his work in museums and heritage.

Sir Peter added: "Sir Neil's wisdom, knowledge and enthusiasm will add a new dimension to our work and I’m greatly looking forward to welcoming him at the end of the month.”