Simon Skinner will step down from the conservation charity after five years at the helm

The boss of a major conservation charity has announced he will step down.

National Trust for Scotland chief executive Simon Skinner will retire in May after five years at the head of the organisation.

Skinner joined the charity that protects Scotland’s national and natural treasures in April 2015 and implemented a programme of change and modernisation across the organisation.

In 2018, the charity launched a new corporate strategy which restated its commitment that Scotland’s heritage is valued by everyone and protected now and for future generations, setting ambitious targets to grow annual visitor numbers, build membership, increase donations and create active learning experiences for people, as well as investing millions in properties.

“When I took on this role back in 2015, I wanted to be able to give something back, for the love of Scotland and it has been an honour to lead this charity,” said Skinner. “We have successfully created a solid foundation for the future and safeguarded our vital mission of conservation.

“The board of trustees share my confidence that delivery of our five-year strategy is sufficiently embedded and on track. Therefore, this is the right time to recruit a new chief executive who will forge a partnership with our new chairman, Sir Mark Jones.”

The recruitment process for the trust’s new chief executive is being managed by its nominations committee and will be open to both internal and external candidates.