The National Trust for Scotland has announced a major restructure
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has announced there will be job losses at the organisation as it looks to cut its running costs by 10%.
It announced on Tuesday its management team will be “simplified” as part of a major restructure of the 85-year-old charity.
NTS , which operates 129 properties, is proposing to re-shape itself to focus around a number of, as yet unnamed, priority properties over the next three to four years.
I’ve felt strongly that there needed to be a rebalance of activity within the trust, giving much more control and influence directly to our properties
It is not yet been made known how many job losses there will be but a spokesperson for the trust did say staffing levels at properties will be unaffected by the changes.
However, specialist team members, across a range of conservation and professional disciplines, will be relocated from the trust’s Edinburgh headquarters to join those staff in the field as the trust looks to decentralise its decision making.
Further savings will be made from implementing modernised administrative systems and simplifying processes.
“Changes to ways of working and investment in modernised administrative systems and simplified processes would deliver estimated operational savings of circa 10% per annum which could be redirected to conserving heritage properties, improving visitor experiences and priority projects," the trust's spokesperson added.
“The entire programme of change would be self-funding and at the end of three years would lead to a more sustainable model.
“The aim would be to bring in an extra £8-10 million per annum of additional investment income for the charity thanks to these efficiency changes, more paying visitors, increased numbers of members and growing donations.”
The trust’s chief executive Simon Skinner, who worked alongside NTS chair Sir Moir Lockhead on a review of the charity, said the trust has to raise its game and act quickly in order to stay compelling, relevant and engaging.
He added: “I’ve felt strongly that there needed to be a rebalance of activity within the trust, giving much more control and influence directly to our properties. After all, it’s because of those special places that the charity exists, that it gets the support of over 330,000 members and attracts millions of visitors every year, and they are at the heart of our proposals.
“We have learned from previous successes that integrated teams deliver the best results and that we should not be afraid to apply innovative thinking to the way we run our properties and present them to the public.
“And when we have delivered on these initial priorities, this will give us the experience and means to focus on other properties and look towards acquiring more in the longer term, perhaps leading to better representation of the 20th century, a period we have barely touched upon so far.”
Sir Moir Lockhead described the changes as “an exciting new chapter in our 85-year history”.
He added: “Hard work has turned around the trust’s fortunes in the last few years, but we are now ready to move up to the next level to ensure we fulfil our mission of conservation in ways that are more relevant to today’s Scotland.
“These proposals have the potential to transform the trust and help us establish heritage as a cause that communities all over the country can embrace, now and for years to come.”
It is understood the Prospect trade union is to meet with NTS over the proposals.
Ian Perth, negotiations officer, said: "Prospect will do everything possible to defend employment levels at the trust.
"NTS has committed to ongoing dialogue with Prospect throughout the proposed restructure. While we note the financial position of NTS, we want to ensure that as a registered charity, NTS treats our members fairly and decently.
"We have several discussions planned in the coming weeks and months, and we hope that NTS can begin to bring clarity to our members as soon as possible.''
