A FORMER Chief Executive of Blenheim Palace has been announced as the new CEO for the Castle Howard Estate.

John Hoy will join the senior team at Castle Howard in June to lead the diverse range of activity that the Estate offers and will support Nicholas and Victoria Howard on a number of ambitious and transformative projects.

John spent 14 years as Blenheim Palace’s chief executive before joining Bidwells as Equity Partner and Head of Rural. A prominent figure in the heritage and tourism industry John also sits on the VisitEngland Advisory Board.

Prior to his time with Blenheim, John was Commercial Project Manager with the National Museums of Science and Industry, General Manager of Madame Tussauds in London, and Head of Operations and Retail at Warwick Castle.

He is a farmer’s son, a chartered surveyor and, has also previously worked on the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex and the Knebworth Estate in Hertfordshire.

John said:"I am both delighted and honoured to have been given the opportunity to join the Castle Howard team and to be able to work closely with Nicholas and Victoria Howard in driving the future direction of this uniquely important heritage Estate.

"Castle Howard is an iconic property and I very much look forward to getting involved."

Mrs Howard said: "I am delighted that John Hoy has accepted this important position at Castle Howard. John’s breadth and depth of experience across both the rural and tourist sectors will be a great asset and will help ensure that this very special place continues to thrive in the years to come."

Castle Howard has also announced an appointment to the new position of Head of Built Environment. Rebecca Thompson, the former Superintendent of Works for the Chapter of York, will be taking up this newly created role to oversee all of Castle Howard’s property related projects.

Rebecca said: "I am delighted to be joining Castle Howard Estate, loved by so many people locally and internationally. I look forward to sharing my heritage expertise to conserve and restore Castle Howard and to working with this great team of people.’

Rebecca currently heads up Thompson Heritage Consultancy Ltd. She is President of the Chartered Institute of Building. Prior to this Rebecca was the Superintendent of Works for the Chapter of York, directing the maintenance, restoration and conservation of York Minster and the precinct properties.

Rebecca is also a member of the York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship, a member of ASCHB; Association for Studies in the Conservation of Historic Buildings, past Master of the York Guild of Building, member of SPAB; Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, IHBC; Institute for Historic Building Conservation and York Civic Trust.

Castle Howard’s Mausoleum, built by Hawksmoor between 1729 and the 1740s is of international historical significance and is currently on the English Heritage at risk register and in desperate need of restoration.

This is one of a number of significant projects that the new Head of Built Environment will lead on.

Mr Howard said: "Across the Castle Howard Estate we have identified many buildings and restoration projects that need urgent attention.

"The appointment of a dedicated person to move these schemes forward is essential to their success. Rebecca’s track record, experience and knowledge when it comes to working with built environments will be invaluable in the years to come."