English Heritage Chief Nick Merriman Resigns Amid Controversy Over Job Cuts and Site Closures
English Heritage’s CEO Nick Merriman resigns following backlash against plans for significant job cuts and site closures, raising concerns about the charity’s financial struggles and heritage preservation.
Nick Merriman, who took the helm of English Heritage at the start of 2024, stepped down last week citing personal reasons related to family health. His brief tenure was marked by plans to overhaul the charity’s finances, including proposed cuts of nearly 7 percent of its workforce—about 189 jobs—and reducing opening hours by 10 percent across 400 historic sites.
Merriman’s restructuring strategy included winter closures of 21 sites, ranging from castles to abbeys, sparking discontent among staff and union representatives who expressed frustration over the scale of cuts.
The charity, which manages iconic landmarks such as Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall, and Dover Castle, has been self-financed since 2023 and no longer receives regular government funding, intensifying pressure to balance preservation efforts with financial sustainability. Its latest financial report revealed a deficit of over £14 million despite income of £141 million.
As Geoff Parkin assumes interim leadership, questions linger over how English Heritage will navigate the challenge of safeguarding national treasures while addressing ongoing financial and staffing crises. Will the organization manage to protect its heritage mission without further deep cuts? And how will staff morale and public trust fare as uncertainty looms?
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