Helen Maclagan is an independent heritage and cultural specialist, based in Warwickshire. She is interested in all aspects of heritage (tangible and intangible), the arts, and culture in its widest sense. She particularly enjoys exploring the intersections between different elements of these sectors and their links to health, wellbeing and community engagement.
Having originally studied and trained as an archaeologist, Helen worked for some 20 years as Warwickshire County Council’s County Archaeologist, subsequently as their Head of Museum Service and ultimately as Head of Heritage and Culture. During this time, she also played multiple roles in regional and national heritage and cultural organisations, such as English Heritage. In 2010-2011 she spent a year volunteering in Burkina Faso, West Africa, using the arts for health education, particularly in relation to HIV-AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and malnutrition.
Since then Helen has worked independently in paid and voluntary capacities – including as Trustee and Vice-Chair of the Council for British Archaeology, and as a member of the National Trust Historic Environment panel. From 2013 until 2021 she was a Non-Executive Director of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, with responsibility for the Culture Portfolio, including World Heritage Sites, UNESCO Creative Cities and the role of culture in international development. From 2018-2020 she also served as the Commission’s Vice-Chair.
Helen is currently an Accredited Expert at the UK National Commission for UNESCO, a member of the National Trust Specialist Advice Network, and a Director of Warwickspace Community Centre.
She was appointed OBE for services to culture and heritage in 2019.
Helen joined HHT as a trustee in May 2022.