THE Royal High School Preservation Trust, which was set up to protect and sensitively develop the Thomas Hamilton building below Calton Hill in Edinburgh, has appointed Grant Mackenzie as executive director and Kate Smith as development director.
The trust recently announced revised plans for the 19th century building, which will see the development of a new National Centre for Music. The enabling works for the project have now completed, and a senior team appointed to lead the next stage.
Grant Mackenzie joins from David Livingstone Trust where he managed the £9.1 million redevelopment of the new David Livingstone Birthplace. He has over 20 years’ experience in heritage, sat on the board of the Queens Hall in Edinburgh and worked for a number of heritage organisations, including the British Museum and National Museum of Scotland.
Grant said, “The iconic Thomas Hamilton building is rich in heritage and is a significant restoration project for Scotland. Over the past few months, it has been wonderful getting to know the building, the plans and our partners. It is an honour to be leading the development of what is set to become a world leading venue of culture and music, right in the heart of the historic city of Edinburgh.”
Kate Smith joins from Capital Theatres, where she previously worked on the restoration and redevelopment of the Kings Theatre. Kate said, “I have been following the development of the former Royal High School for some time and I am thrilled to be part of the team bringing the new National Centre for Music to fruition. This project has so much potential to be hugely significant for Edinburgh and Scotland and I look forward to playing my part in bringing the vision of the Royal High School Preservation Trust to life.”
