Bath World Heritage Site Advisory Board appoints new chair

Professor Marion Harney has been appointed as the new chair of the City of Bath UNESCO World Heritage Site Advisory Board and Enhancement Fund.  

The Advisory Board is a partnership panel overseeing Bath’s UNESCO inscriptions. The World Heritage Enhancement Fund, a partnership between Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bath Preservation Trust and the World Heritage Site Advisory Board, sources, funds and manages local cityscape improvement schemes. 

Professor Harney is Professor of Building and Landscape Conservation, Associate Dean Education, Faculty of Engineering and Design, University Athena SWAN Lead (Vice Chancellor’s Office), Project Lead Curriculum Transformation (Pro Vice Chancellor Education), Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, at the University of Bath. She is also Visiting Professor/Academic Consultant, Conservation of Parks, Gardens and Landscapes at the University of Westminster.

Image: Professor Marion Harney (left), Council Leader Kevin Guy (centre), and Professor Barry Gilbertson (right) 

She has been a member of Bath World Heritage Site Advisory Group since 2007 and shares responsibility for overseeing the development, production and implementation of the World Heritage Site Management Plan. She takes over from Professor Barry Gilbertson, who has chaired the Board since 2017, and stood down earlier this year from the voluntary role due to a family relocation to Surrey.  

Professor Harney said: “I am absolutely delighted to be appointed to this prestigious role and I am looking forward to working with the great team of people, both officers and specialist volunteers who make-up the World Heritage Site Advisory Board.

“My academic research and writing have always been in building and landscape heritage and their conservation and it will be an honour and a pleasure to use my expertise to ensure that the Outstanding Universal Values of this doubly inscribed site are protected and enhanced for the benefit of future generations.”

Bath & North East Somerset Council Leader Kevin Guy said: “The UNESCO World Heritage status is the highest possible heritage accolade that the city can achieve and I want to welcome Professor Harney to the Board to continue our successful community partnership-working for the benefit of our unique city, its flourishing economy and our communities.”  

Councillor Matt McCabe, Cabinet Member for the Built Environment and Sustainable Development added: “I look forward to working with Professor Harney who has a demonstrable and sustained track record in strategic leadership, expertise in building and landscape conservation and is a passionate advocate for our city.”