Steve Trow OBE

I joined Wessex Archaeology as a Trustee in 2024, having spent nearly 40 years as an archaeologist and heritage professional.

My career has taken me from urban field archaeology in London, via the British Museum, to English Heritage, where I worked first as an Inspector of Ancient Monuments and later as its Head of Rural and Environmental Policy. Subsequently, I became Historic England’s Director of Research and a member of its Executive Team.

I have a particular interest in landscape archaeology and the interrelationship of the natural and historic environments. I’ve written extensively and developed innovative policies on a wide range of heritage issues, including English Heritage’s policies on marine archaeology, responses to climate change, renewable energy and the setting of heritage assets and advice to the government on archaeological archives.

I retired from Historic England in 2018 and am currently a Secretary of State appointed Member of the New Forest National Park and its Chair of Planning. I am also an Archaeology and Research Advisor to the National Trust and a member of its Historic Environment Advisory Group.  In addition, I serve as a Trustee of Pedall, a charity which assists those who face barriers to accessing the New Forest by bicycle.

In 2019 I was awarded an OBE for services to heritage.