October 2008
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) welcomed Jenny Abramsky, previously Director of BBC Audio & Music, to the Board as new Chair on October 1st. She takes over from Dame Liz Forgan who stepped down after seven years.
Ms Abramsky chairs the 15-strong Board of Trustees, which includes leading figures from the heritage sector, appointed by the Prime Minister to run both Funds. Their role is to steer the policy and direction of the HLF and decide on the larger grant applications for heritage projects. The Board also takes all decisions on applications to the NHMF, the nation’s fund of last resort for heritage, which distributes £10million each year.
Jenny Abramsky commented: “I’m tremendously excited to be taking on this new role as I am a passionate supporter of our heritage. The HLF plays a unique role in sustaining and safeguarding our wonderful rich and varied heritage for the whole nation and I’m looking forward immensely to the challenge and opportunities.”
HLF launched its third Strategic Plan in April this year* - ‘Valuing our Heritage: Investing in our Future' - which introduces simpler application processes that will see almost £1billion invested in the UK’s diverse heritage over the next five years.
Biographical note: Jenny Abramsky was previously Director of BBC Audio & Music, with responsibility for all BBC national radio networks, for the BBC’s digital radio services, and for music across television, radio, online and live events. She is a member of the BBC Executive Board, which is responsible for the delivery of BBC services and day-to-day operations across the organisation. She is also Chair of the Hampstead Theatre, a Trustee of the Central School of Ballet and an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music. Previously she served as Governor of the British Film Institute and on the Economic Social and Research Council.
She has spent her working life at the BBC, where she was the editor of the Today programme on Radio 4; launched BBC Radio Five Live, BBC News Online and BBC News 24 as well as 5 digital radio stations; and commissioned the Electric Proms (an annual festival of popular contemporary music, designed to complement the BBC Proms season of classical music). She was awarded the CBE in 2001 for services to Broadcasting.
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Notes to Editors
• The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation’s heritage for everyone to enjoy. HLF has supported more than 26,000 projects, allocating £4billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk.
• The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) is the fund of last resort for the nation’s heritage, coming to the rescue by funding emergency acquisitions. NHMF currently receives an annual income of £10million from the government.
• *HLF’s Strategic Plan 3 – April 2008 to April 2013. In the new Strategic Plan, HLF will continue to fund all areas of the heritage, including all current programmes. HLF has always been keen to support what people find important about their heritage. The broad range of programmes will include:
o Awards of all sizes, from grants of £3,000 to major awards over £5million;
o Continued support for all main open grant and themed programmes (Your Heritage, Heritage Grants, Repair Grants for Places of Worship, Townscape Heritage Initiative, Parks for People, Landscape Partnerships and Young Roots).
HLF is also introducing new initiatives to support applicants and grantees and will remain locally responsive at a regional and country level.