Wessex Archaeology’s Chief Executive, Sue Davies OBE, has been chosen by Government ministers across the UK to chair the expert panel to assess applications for a new UK Tentative List of sites for potential future nomination to UNESCO for World Heritage status.

Earlier this year the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) published a list of 38 places that had put themselves forward to be considered for nomination as a World Heritage Site. The job of the expert panel to assess each bid and decide which of those should go forward.

Tourism and Heritage Minister John Penrose commented ‘The variety and unique nature of the UK’s heritage is recognised around the world. But if we’re to succeed in getting more UK sites awarded World Heritage Status we have to make sure the strength of the nominations we put forward are second to none. I’m in no doubt that the expert panel chaired by Sue Davies will do a fantastic job in whittling down the list to ensure we have the very best chance of succeeding in front of UNESCO in the future.’

Once the Tentative List has been completed, hopefully by Spring 2011, it will be submitted to UNESCO. Nominations from this list will then be put forward from 2012 for inclusion on the World Heritage List.