English Heritage has announced the appointment of two new Trustees, both with a history of championing diversity and ethnic minorities.

Kunle Olulode is the Director of Voice4Change; a national advocate for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector. David Olusoga is a historian, broadcaster and film-maker whose most recent TV series includes Black and British: A Forgotten History and the BAFTA-winning Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners (both BBC Two).

Sir Tim Laurence, Chairman of English Heritage, said:

'I am delighted to welcome both David and Kunle as Trustees to English Heritage. Together they will play a key role in helping us to bring England's diverse history to life for our visitors and members.'

The story of England is diverse and English Heritage is committed to exploring it. The charity has uncovered the identities of some of the 2000 African-Caribbean soldiers imprisoned at Portchester Castle during the 18th century and, in 2016, established a new working group to propose Black and Asian nominees for the London Blue Plaques scheme.

MEET THE NEW TRUSTEES

Kunle Olulode

As Director of Voice4Change England, Kunle campaigns for a stronger and more inclusive civil society to meet the needs of Black and Minority Ethnic people and other disadvantaged communities. He's also curatorial, programme and audience development advisor to a range of cultural institutions including the British Library, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Catalan Institute in London. Kunle is a member of the Cabinet Office's Democracy Council, which is overseeing events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act.

Kunle said:

'I am very excited to be part of this new journey for English Heritage becoming firmly part of the third sector. I look forward to working with fellow board members to expand and enrich our audiences at various buildings and historical sites across the country. Hopefully, adding a few new perspectives on historical narratives of England along the way.'

David Olusoga

David is a British-Nigerian historian, broadcaster and film-maker. He's also the author of Black & British: A Forgotten History, which was awarded both the Longman-History Today Trustees Award and the PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize. His other books include The World's War, which won World War One Book of the Year in 2015. David has been a contributor to the Oxford Companion to Black British History and writes for The Guardian, The Observer and BBC History Magazine. He's one of three presenters on the BBC's landmark Arts series Civilisations.

David said:

'It is a real honour to be taking up this role with English Heritage. My passion has always been for public history and bringing the past to everyone. I look forward to playing a part in the amazing work English Heritage does in protecting and promoting our national heritage.'

Learn more about our board of trustees.

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