Head of leading archaeological trust to step down after decade

THE chief executive of one of Britain’s leading archaeological organisations has announced that he is to step down after a decade in the job.

Professor John Walker, who has headed the York Archaeological Trust since he joined in 2002, will retire at the end of March next year.

During his tenure, the trust has overseen a host of major archaeological projects including the largest ever dig in York with the five-year excavations at the site of the Hungate development in the city centre.

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The trust now has an annual turnover of £6m and employs more than 200 staff as well as 60 volunteers from across Britain and as far afield as Canada and New Zealand.

Prof Walker said: “It has been a privilege to have been so closely involved in this wonderful and unique organisation based in a city at the forefront of new developments in archaeology, history and the public enjoyment of our heritage. Much remains to be explored and explained in York, Britain and beyond, and I am confident that the expanded trust can meet the challenges of the future.”

Under Prof Walker’s leadership, the organisation has taken over the management of three accredited museums, and its York portfolio of attractions now includes the world-famous Jorvik Viking Centre and annual Viking Festival, the Barley Hall medieval townhouse, the DIG archaeological centre and Micklegate Bar Museum. The team has also created three new archaeological organisations at Nottingham, Sheffield and Glasgow in recent years.

Most recently, the trust completed an innovative project using photography and laser scanning at Stonehenge to reveal a large number of unknown Bronze Age carvings and more about how the stone circle was designed and dressed.

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The trust’s chairman, Terry Suthers, said: “John’s distinguished career over more than four decades spans the worlds of archaeology and academia.

“At the heart of his work and personal motivation lies a desire to link archaeological exploration with effective education and make archaeology accessible to everyone.

“This has been the driving force of the trust’s activities and successes, and we are indebted to him for the huge impact he has had on developing the trust, both at home and further afield.”

Prof Walker’s successor will be announced early next year.

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