English Heritage appointed Tim Reeve CBE as its New Chief Executive
As Chief Executive at English Heritage, Tim Reeve will be responsible for leading the charity which cares for – and shares with the public – more than 400 historic sites right across England.
Tim Reeve is currently Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer at the V&A. He joined the museum in 2013, and takes an operational and strategic overview of all the museum’s resources and activities, including the evolution of the V&A into a multi-site family of museums dedicated to the power of creativity.
Highlights from Reeve’s 13 years at the V&A include the creation of the groundbreaking V&A East Museum & Storehouse in East London; the establishment of V&A Dundee; the opening of the V&A Gallery at Design Society, Shenzhen; and from Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty to Marie Antoinette Style, the delivery of the most successful paid-for exhibitions programme in the V&A’s history. During his tenure, the V&A was awarded Art Fund Museum of the Year twice, in 2015 and 2024. He was made CBE in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours for services to museums.
Tim Reeve started his career at English Heritage in 1996 as a Registry Assistant before progressing to the role of Director of Historic Properties, a post he held from 2005 to 2013. In that last role, he was responsible for all aspects of the management of the collection of historic sites in English Heritage’s care, including the annual conservation maintenance programme and the capital development programme, as well as chairing the Stonehenge Visitor Centre project board. Tim is a graduate in Ancient History from Royal Holloway, University of London, and studied at INSEAD on the International Executive Programme.
Tim Reeve CBE said: “I am honoured to be English Heritage’s next Chief Executive. It is one of the most important roles in UK cultural life: leading a charity that means so much to so many people, in every corner of England. I'm excited to help guide English Heritage through the next stage of its journey, building a stable and sustainable future so the charity can fulfil its enormous potential.
“The National Heritage Collection offers unparalleled opportunities for escape, discovery, connection and fun. These are places where lifelong memories are made, and where England's history, culture and values come vividly to life. Caring for what I like to call the great outdoor museum of the nation’s story has never been more important.”