Perspectives and Priorities: The National Archives Vision for Sector Leadership

Abstract

In 2011–2012, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council was wound up and its work as a strategic development agency for the museums, libraries and archives sectors in England was divided between the Arts Council for England and The National Archives. The author was appointed in March 2005 to lead Archives Sector Development, a new department1 of The National Archives which embraced the work with the wider archive sector of both its predecessor institutions (the Public Record Office and the Historical Manuscripts Commission). Here, he considers the recent evolution of The National Archives' role in the wider archive sector; how The National Archives sees ‘the archives sector’; and sets out the vision for how The National Archives will discharge its sector leadership responsibility over the next few years.