New Director of Palaces & Collections

Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), the independent charity that cares for six of the UK’s most iconic historic sites, today announces the appointment of Melissa Hamnett as Director of Palaces & Collections. In this Executive Team role, Melissa will oversee the care, and long-term stewardship of HRP’s palaces and collections, helping to ensure they remain accessible, inspiring, and relevant to audiences from all backgrounds.

Melissa brings over 20 years’ experience in the cultural heritage sector, combining expertise in collections, conservation, and public engagement with a commitment for innovation and inclusion. She will lead HRP’s collections strategy, champion conservation and curatorial excellence, direct major projects, and strengthen partnerships with heritage sector partners.

Melissa succeeds Adrian Phillips, who served as Director of Palaces & Collections from 2017 to 2025, steering HRP through a period of transformation and strengthening its conservation and collections programmes.

Melissa has extensive leadership experience, most recently as Director of Heritage Collections at UK Parliament, and previously at the Victoria and Albert Museum delivering major capital projects, exhibitions and public programmes. She has published widely on sculpture, architectural history, and curatorial practice, and has led contemporary art commissions and public sculpture initiatives. She holds an MA in Design and the Decorative Arts from the Royal College of Art, a BA in Art History from the University of Sussex, and professional qualifications in project and programme management.

John Barnes OBE, Chief Executive of Historic Royal Palaces, said: “We are delighted to welcome Melissa to this leadership role. Her passion for heritage and proven record in collections, conservation, and audience engagement make her the perfect leader to ensure Historic Royal Palaces remains a welcoming, inspiring charity for everyone—where people from all over the world can connect with history, enjoy our palaces, and be inspired by our collections.”

Melissa Hamnett, new Director of Palaces & Collections at HRP, said: “Historic Royal Palaces plays a vital role in caring for some of the most significant historic sites in the world. I am delighted to take on this role championing the charity’s mission to integrate rigorous conservation with ambitious research to safeguard the palaces and ensure their stories remain relevant, accessible and meaningful for the widest possible audiences.”

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For further information or images, please contact Francesca Whitting in the HRP Press Office: [email protected] / 020 3166 6166. Images available here.

About Historic Royal Palaces

Historic Royal Palaces is the independent charity that loves and looks after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. The palaces are the setting for the stories that shape us all, and we’re bringing them to people in ways that mean more to them. We want everyone to find themselves in the spaces and stories we share. Registered charity number 1068852. For more information visit www.hrp.org.uk.