Auckland Castle has strengthened its management team with the appointment of a new Head of Estates.
Phil Bolam joins the team from the National Trust, where he worked for over a decade at Gibside, near Gateshead, in a variety of conservation and estate management roles.
Phil, 31, will focus on maintaining and developing the Auckland Castle Trust’s portfolio of holdings in the Bishop Auckland area.
These include not just the 900 year-old former castle home of the Prince Bishops of Durham, but its adjacent medieval Deer Park, various buildings in the Market Place and Binchester Roman Fort, which the Trust bought for £2m last September after it was put up for sale by the Church Commissioners.
Phil said he was “delighted and proud” to have been appointed to his new post.
“It is fantastic to be joining the team as Auckland Castle begins its transformation from a centuries old ecclesiastical residence into a world class art and heritage attraction.
“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be in at the start of something so significant, and to know that I will be playing a key part in the many exciting developments which will soon be getting underway.
“I am very much looking forward to moving things on and to the challenges ahead.”
Phil studied conservation management at Newcastle University before working in the parks departments at Northumberland County Council and then North Tyneside.
He initially joined Gibside as an estate warden. His final job was as conservation manager looking after both the built and natural environment.
Liz Fisher, Auckland Castle Trust’s Director of Operations said, “We are delighted to welcome someone of Phil’s calibre to the team. He joins with a wealth of experience and we are looking forward to Auckland Castle’s let estate being developed under his wing.”
Phil’s appointment brings the Auckland Castle Trust workforce to 43, with 80% living within a 20-mile radius.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
