Brendan McCarthy comes to the ORNC following a 27-year career with the National Trust where he worked in a number of roles including Deputy Chief Agent (with a UK national remit) and as a Regional Director, latterly of the Trust’s largest Region, Wessex. During this time he managed some magnificent properties including significant houses and gardens such as Powis Castle, Stourhead, Kingston Lacy, Stonehenge Landscape and Hidcote. Brendan McCarthy also secured the last remaining set of back-to-back houses in Birmingham, which are now fully open to visitors, and in 2010 set up a team to develop the Trust’s first ever stand at the Glastonbury Festival.

Announcing the news of Mr McCarty’s appointment Sir Robert Crawford, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said: “We are delighted that Brendan McCarthy will be the next Chief Executive of the Old Royal Naval College. He brings to Greenwich career-long experience of managing heritage property of the first quality.”

“Brendan’s experience of leading the restoration of Tyntesfield, which attracted the largest Heritage Lottery Fund grant ever given to the National Trust, will also be invaluable as we begin the conservation of the Painted Hall,” he added.

Brendan McCarthy said: “The Old Royal Naval College is a hugely important and iconic part of London and this country's heritage. It is a privilege to become the Chief Executive at such an exciting time with Greenwich set to become a Royal Borough in January and with the London Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next summer.”

“I’m looking forward to working with the team at the Old Royal Naval College and in partnership with the other members of World Heritage Site to ensure that Greenwich’s unique architectural landscape and events and education programmes continue to be a valued resource locally and an unmissable attraction for the millions of visitors who come to London each year.”

Brendan McCarthy succeeds Duncan Wilson, OBE who became Chief Executive of Alexandra Palace earlier in the year. He will take up the post in February 2012.