John Orna-Ornstein

John Orna-Ornstein is director of access and conservation and part of the executive team at the National Trust, with responsibility for leading the organisation’s ambition to end unequal access to heritage and nature and for its approach to heritage conservation. He is also vice chair of the International National Trusts Organisation.

The National Trust looks after around 500 heritage and natural properties in the UK, including 220 country houses and hundreds of miles of coastline. It has more than 5.5 million members.

John was formerly director of museums for Arts Council England and head of London and national programmes for the British Museum, where he started his career as curator of Roman coins. He studied archaeology at UCL. His other interests include Brighton and Hove Albion football club (where he is a season ticket holder), gardening and walking.

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