Today Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) announced Terry Levinthal has been appointed as the charity’s permanent Director. He takes over from Megan Veronesi, who has held the post in an interim capacity since January 2025.  

Terry is a dedicated heritage professional who will join EWH with over 25 years of experience in public and charity organisations in senior Director and leadership roles. He has spent the past eight years as Director of the Cockburn Association, Scotland’s oldest amenity and conservation charity, where he led strategic innovations in communications, fundraising and policy outputs.

Before joining the Cockburn Association, Terry was Director of Conservation Services and Projects at the National Trust for Scotland, where he was responsible for conservation and property planning programmes. Prior to this, he led the Scottish Civic Trust for over 10 years, during which time he established sustainable management and financial strategies, and directed national programmes including the Buildings at Risk Register and Doors Open Days. He was responsible for preparing the dataset for the first National Performance Framework on the historic environment for the Scottish Government and Historic Scotland.

Terry has also held significant non-executive positions. He is currently a Board member and Charity Trustee of Historic Environment Scotland, Scotland’s lead public body for the historic environment; he is Chair of Railway Paths Ltd, a UK-wide charity that repurposes redundant rail infrastructure for active travel and conservation purposes; and was a member of the Board of Scotland’s first National Park Authority at Loch Lomond & the Trossachs, where he convened its statutory Planning Committee.

He has a proven track record of effectively managing multi-million pound capital projects and programmes, leading teams and initiating change. He brings experience of leadership roles across important Scottish heritage organisations, as well as meaningful relationships with communities living in Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Douglas Brotherston, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Terry into this crucial role at EWH. He brings with him a wealth of experience, contacts, and a commitment to heritage demonstrated throughout his career. His arrival heralds a transformative period for Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site and its preservation and enhancement. We are grateful to Megan Veronesi for her seamless leadership as Interim Director.”

Terry Levinthal added: “After a career dedicated to Scotland’s unique architectural, historic and landscape heritage, I am delighted to be taking on this important role to protect Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns World Heritage Site. I join at a critical juncture for the city and I’m excited to use my role to champion Edinburgh’s heritage first and foremost.”

Terry will step down from his current position at the Cockburn Association and begin as Director of Edinburgh World Heritage in September 2025.

Notes to editors

About Edinburgh World Heritage

EWH is the independent charitable organisation responsible for protecting and promoting the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site. Working in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and Historic Environment Scotland, EWH looks after the city’s historic environment through conservation, engagement and advocacy, ensuring Edinburgh’s unique character remains something for all to enjoy.

Edinburgh World Heritage is registered in Scotland No. SC195077 Scottish Charity No. SC037183

Acheson House, 5 Bakehouse Close, 146 Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8DD

ewh.org.uk/about-us

Images are available on our Dropbox.

Contact jen.macneill@ewht.org.uk for further information.

About the Cockburn Association

The Cockburn Association was founded in 1875 to promote the amenity of the City of Edinburgh and encourage the care and conservation of its unique architectural, historic and landscape heritage. The Association is one of the oldest planning and architectural advocacy organisations in the world.  

The Association is a membership organisation and a registered charity.  It is independent of government and is funded largely by charitable giving, from subscriptions to donations to legacies.  It receives a small grant from the City of Edinburgh Council, largely to support the Edinburgh Civic Forum to help it promote the built and natural heritage of the city.

cockburnassociation.org.uk