A former council chief executive has been appointed as a trustee and chair of the Wales Committee for The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Ian Bancroft, who served as chief executive of Wrexham County Borough Council from 2018 to 2024, will sit on the UK-wide board and lead the fund’s work in Wales.
He brings more than 35 years of public service experience and has played a key role in major heritage projects including Wigan Pier, Greenfield Valley, Bailey Hill, the North East Wales Archive, Stori Brymbo, the Football Museum of Wales, and the Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site.
Mr Bancroft said: "I'm thrilled to be appointed to the Board of The National Lottery Heritage Fund as Trustee and Chair of the Wales Committee. "Heritage plays such a critical role in Welsh identity, I want to make sure the Heritage Fund maximises its impact in Wales across all communities."
In addition to his heritage work, Mr Bancroft is vice chair of Sport Wales and chair of the Electoral Management Board Wales.
He also serves on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s UK Town of Culture Advisory Panel.
Dr Simon Thurley CBE, chair of the Heritage Fund and the Memorial Fund, welcomed the appointment.
He said: "I am delighted to welcome Ian to the board. "His expertise will be very welcome in shaping how National Lottery funding is invested across the UK for the benefit of local communities. "Ian deeply understands the value of heritage from historic buildings to our landscapes, nature, industrial past, historic collections, and the stories and traditions of our communities. "He is well equipped to help us deliver lasting impact for people and places across the UK."
Mr Bancroft said he hopes to use his experience to ‘give’ back to public services and the cultural sector.
His appointment began on September 1, 2026, and will run for a three-year term.
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