The chief executive of Historic Environment Scotland, Katerina Brown, has resigned following a suspension.
Brown was appointed as CEO in September 2024, but was signed off in June 2025 on health grounds before being suspended in October 2025, as reported by the Scotsman.
She had only recently returned to her role at the charity, which promotes and protects around 300 historic sites around Scotland on behalf of the Scottish government.
A spokesperson for Historic Environment Scotland said: “We can confirm that Katerina Brown is leaving Historic Environment Scotland (HES). We are unable to provide any further information on individual personnel matters.
“HES remains fully operational and focused on delivering its responsibilities, with appropriate leadership, governance and business continuity arrangements in place.”
The spokesperson also confirmed that Stephen Uphill, who is currently the charity’s chief operating officer, will undertake the role of interim chief executive until a permanent CEO is appointed.
Uphill was previously appointed as interim chief executive in December last year, during Brown’s suspension.
Two months ago, Mark Jones resigned as the charity’s chair only nine months into what was supposed to be a four-year term.
Critical audit published last year amid turmoil
In December, the Auditor General for Scotland published a report which found that the charity had been “navigating a period of significant instability and challenge, with a number of staff-related matters that need to be resolved”.
This included allegations of a “toxic workplace culture”, which the audit said required full investigation.
It also criticised the charity as having “unacceptable weaknesses in the governance arrangements, which point to a culture of non-compliance”.
Between May and October 2025, the charity had no chief executive or accountable officer, according to the auditor.
The auditor reported that “despite ongoing engagement between board members and the Scottish government sponsor team on potential solutions for an interim chief executive and accountable officer, this critical role was not filled”, which it said was “unacceptable”.
According to the Herald, Scottish MSP Mairi McAllan, the cabinet secretary for education, culture and Gaelic, was quizzed on Brown and Jones’ exits yesterday and said that it was “unacceptable” for the organisation to have previously been without a chief executive for six months.
The Scottish government has been approached for comment.
