Images (top l-r): Sir Peter Bazalgette, Philip Mould, Arit Anderson, (bottom l-r) Alom Sharma, Nafisa El Turke, Laline Paull

Images (top l-r): Sir Peter Bazalgette, Philip Mould, Arit Anderson, (bottom l-r) Alom Sharma, Nafisa El Turke, Laline Paull

Changing Faces

Blue Plaques Panel gains new members and young advisor

Arts Professional
2 min read

Historic England has announced five new members and a young advisor to join its national Blue Plaques Panel.

The additions to the panel, which is made up of academics and cultural commentators from across England, are drawn from the worlds of horticulture, cultural leadership, TV, the fine arts, academia and literature.

The new members are garden designer, writer, podcaster and TV presenter ARIT ANDERSON; former Arts Council England chair and current chair of the Council of the Royal College of Art Sir PETER BAZALGETTE; art dealer PHILIP MOULD; novelist and fellow of the Royal Society of Literature LALINE PAULL and science educator and author ALOM SHAHA.

The young advisor role, which has been created as part of Historic England’s “commitment to championing the inclusion of young voices as well as diverse perspectives”, has been given to NAFISA EL TURKE.

Shaha said: “It’s an absolute honour to be part of this panel – as a parent, teacher, and writer, I deeply value the chance to be involved in this unique way of celebrating the lives of remarkable individuals who have shaped our history.”

Bazalgette commented: “Blue plaques challenge us to contemplate great lives, with all the added fascination that a sense of place gives us.

“I worked with the London blue plaques scheme, and I am chuffed to now help bring this to the whole country.”

Paull added: “Blue plaques have always caught my eye and provoked my curiosity.

“Small and aesthetically pleasing, they are important cultural markers of our social values past and present, and I’m looking forward to some fascinating discussion about the next people whose lives will be so prestigiously commemorated.” 

DUNCAN WILSON, chief executive of Historic England, said: “These new panellists will bring important knowledge and perspectives to help decide which individuals from across the nation should go forward to receive an official blue plaque.

“I expect that assessing the public nominations will be a difficult but fascinating challenge; I look forward to seeing the results at plaque unveilings in the coming years.”