Taryn Nixon

Taryn Nixon is an archaeologist and heritage management adviser. She chairs the Heritage Fund’s Committee for England, London and South, and also serves on the Audit and Risk Committee. 

Taryn has a background of leadership in the historic environment. For 19 years she was Chief Executive of MOLA, Museum of London Archaeology, a team of 300 heritage professionals providing archaeological investigation and research, public engagement and education and planning services. A proponent of values-based archaeology, she has published widely on the contribution of archaeology and heritage to economic growth, regeneration and social cohesion, including recent construction industry guidance. She previously worked for the Museum of London’s Department of Urban Archaeology and for the Hong Kong Government Archaeological Survey, and she now runs her own heritage management consultancy. 

Taryn was appointed to the first Board of Trustees of National Trails UK from 2022 to 2025, helping to establish the new charity, championing the work of Trails Partnerships and the benefits from the UK’s nearly 6,000 miles of long distance routes for people's wellbeing, nature and the economy. 

Taryn has been Chair of her professional body, the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), Vice Chair of the Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers (FAME), Honorary Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries and Chair of the archaeology sector's Southport Group. She has served on advisory committees for Historic England and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. Taryn lives with her family on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in Devon.