A devastating internal survey has exposed a profound collapse in morale at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the public body responsible for the stewardship of the nation’s most iconic landmarks, including Edinburgh and Stirling Castles. The leaked data reveals that staff confidence in senior management has plummeted, with employees expressing deep disillusionment regarding the organization’s culture, transparency, and accountability.
The confidential report highlights a sharp deterioration in key performance indicators compared to 2024. The headline employee engagement score—a metric used to track motivation and organizational commitment—has fallen from 6.8 to 5.3 out of 10. Even more concerning is the employee net promoter score (eNPS), which gauges whether staff would recommend the heritage body as a place to work. Having stood at zero in 2024, the score has plummeted to minus 46. Under this metric, nearly two-thirds of respondents (60.5 per cent) are classified as “detractors,” while only 14.3 per cent are considered “promoters.” The report explicitly characterizes these results as “low and concerning.”
The survey reserves its most severe criticism for the executive leadership team. When asked if they trusted the chief executive, chief operating officer, and directors to act in the best interests of HES and its workforce, staff provided an average score of just 3.2 out of 10. Perceptions of institutional openness and transparency fared even worse, languishing at 3.1 out of 10.
These findings arrive during a period of sustained turmoil for the quango, which oversees over 300 historic properties. The organization has recently been marred by a series of high-profile scandals, including serious allegations of bullying, racism, and inappropriate workplace behavior, as well as questions regarding its financial controls and governance. These crises led to the resignations of the previous chief executive and chair earlier this year, leaving the organization under the stewardship of interim leadership.
Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr, who has been vocal in his critique of HES governance, described the findings as evidence that deep-seated cultural issues remain unaddressed. “Whistleblowers tell me that nothing has changed for them and that deep distrust of the leadership persists right across the organisation,” Kerr said. He noted that while the current staff are dedicated professionals who take pride in their work, they are increasingly exhausted by a lack of meaningful change.
Kerr also raised concerns regarding the approach of interim chief executive Stephen Uphill, criticizing his focus on “stability and continuity” rather than urgent cultural reform. He accused the leadership of appearing dismissive, and at times aggressive, toward staff members who speak out.
Beyond leadership concerns, the survey indicates widespread operational strain. Employees cited significant pressures stemming from unmanageable workloads, systemic understaffing, and ongoing difficulties with recruitment and retention. This operational fatigue is reflected in a marked decline in workplace pride, which dropped from 7.4 to 5.6.
In response to the leak, an HES spokeswoman characterized the results as “not unexpected,” acknowledging that the findings reflect the sentiments of staff throughout what she described as a “challenging period.”
“Culture change takes time, and we understand that rebuilding trust and confidence will not happen overnight,” the spokeswoman stated. “The survey provides valuable insight that will help us focus our efforts, and we are committed to being open about the results and the actions we are taking in response.”
As HES navigates this period of instability, the survey serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead for an institution tasked with preserving Scotland’s heritage while struggling to maintain the trust of the very people charged with its protection. With interim leadership still in place, the path toward restoring morale and professional standards remains a significant hurdle for the organization.
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