A new managing director has been appointed at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Philippa Rawlinson will replace the recently retired Sarah Montgomery in the role.
She joins the arboretum from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, where she was the director of operations and marketing and deputy chief executive officer.
Philippa said: “The arboretum has an exceptional record of delivering a first-class visitor experience thanks to its fantastic team of staff and volunteers.
“My predecessor has laid excellent foundations from which we can now further build as we focus on a number of strategic priorities, not least the development of our living landscape as part of our endeavour to make remembrance relevant to ever more diverse audiences.”
Philippa has also held key leadership roles in Warwickshire business and tourism organisations, including chair of Stratforward, a Business Improvement District in Stratford-upon-Avon, and chair of Shakespeare’s England, the official tourism body for South Warwickshire.
Previously, she has also held several senior management positions at the National Trust.
Gary Ryan, director of remembrance and marketing at The Royal British Legion, said: “Philippa is an accomplished leader in tourism management at heritage visitor sites.
“With the successful opening of new facilities at the arboretum over the past two years, we are now looking to her to take this award-winning site to the next level.
“Philippa will be supported by an enthusiastic board, committed team and large group of knowledgeable volunteers.
“We will all be working together to ensure the arboretum grows and evolves as the nation’s focal point of remembrance.”
