The National Trust, which owns and runs Hatfield Forest, has appointed Justin Scully to the new role of assistant director for operations in the East of England. The role has one main objective, putting visitors and supporters at the heart of the work tha

The National Trust, which owns and runs Hatfield Forest, has appointed Justin Scully to the new role of assistant director for operations in the East of England.

The role has one main objective, putting visitors and supporters at the heart of the work that the trust does and ensuring support and involvement now and into the future.

Justin Scully is more than equal to the task, coming to the National Trust with experience spanning charity and private sector organisations. His most recent position was with the housing and homelessness charity Shelter, where he worked for four and a half years as deputy director of services.

Prior to two years spent as a volunteer for VSO in Nigeria, Justin worked for ten years in the brewing industry, with the likes of Allied Domecq and Scottish and Newcastle featuring on his CV.

Justin, aged 39, from Elmswell, clearly relishes the challenge ahead. He said: "I'm delighted to have joined the National Trust at such an exciting time. My job is to provide strategic leadership for our General Managers and Property Managers, empowering them to make sure every visitor to all of our places in the East of England feels welcome. We need to make sure our places are relevant and accessible to everyone, whether you live here or are visiting from elsewhere."

Regular visitor

Although not native to the East of England, Justin clearly has great affection for our region.

He added: "Having studied at UEA, I've been a regular visitor to the East of England ever since I graduated. I've come to love the region, and I want everyone to experience it, landscape, countryside, coast and buildings. I think people might be surprised by the variety of places in our care.

"Just last weekend, I was showing off my new job to friends who expected me to take them to a stately home. Actually we had a great day out at Horsey, Norfolk, taking a look around the Windpump and a walk to the beach. The kids thought it was fantastic, watching the seals basking on the beach. It's exactly this experience I want to make sure everyone enjoys - surprise, delight and involvement."

Welcome

National Trust regional director for the East of England, Peter Griffiths, is delighted to welcome Justin to the region: "With his wealth of experience, both in the charity and corporate sectors, Justin is a real asset to the team. He has a great understanding of the strategic functioning of charities and how they can best serve their supporters. Justin's focus now is on empowering our staff to deliver an experience for visitors which connects them with our places, making them relevant and accessible to everyone.