UK Antarctic Heritage Trust

Who we are

The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust protects and preserves sites and artefacts of international significance across the Antarctic Peninsula. We aim to make our shared Antarctic heritage accessible to all, whether from the sofa or the ship. We want audiences across the world to be able to discover these charismatic sites and their remarkable stories. Through this, we hope that people will develop a deeper appreciation for this extraordinary continent.                 

Our work centres on six historic bases along the Antarctic Peninsula, each site telling a unique story of discovery and scientific exploration. These sites, which were built between the 1940s and 1970s, are the missing link between the Heroic Era structures of Scott and Shackleton and the modern-day scientific stations such as Halley and Rothera, operated by the British Antarctic Survey.               

These iconic structures were left empty for several decades, until the establishment of UKAHT in 1993. Since then, we have been working to conserve and care for these sites to make them safe, secure and accessible for visitors from around the world.

Our culture and values

30 years of conserving and inspiring

On 28 July 2023, UKAHT turned 30. For three decades, we have had the privilege to conserve Antarctica’s unique heritage, share the continent’s ever-evolving stories and inspire others to see and experience Antarctica differently through innovative technology, art and culture.

In 1993, we didn’t have a single site to our name. Today, the Trust manages the restoration and care of six heritage huts and their treasures on the Antarctic Peninsula and is leading the Conservation Management Plan for Sir Ernest Shackleton’s shipwreck Endurance. As a charity, we couldn’t have done it without our supporters. We are eternally grateful for all of your help in protecting and celebrating this precious place, then, now and into the future.

But our work is never done. Our birthday is not only about celebrating our achievements but also a time to look forward. Antarctica is complex, fragile and rapidly changing – and so too is its heritage. As such, UKAHT must also keep evolving and rethinking our role to best champion our cherished sites to ensure this heritage and the stories can be shared for generations to come.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

UKAHT is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion and eliminating unlawful discrimination in everything we do.

We are committed to:

1. Encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace as they are good practice and make business sense.

2. Creating a working environment free from bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination.

3. Promoting dignity and respect for all, where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued.

These commitments include training managers and all other employees about their rights and responsibilities under this policy. Responsibilities include staff conducting themselves to help the organisation provide equal opportunities in employment, and prevent bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination.

4. Taking seriously complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination by fellow employees in the course of the trust’s work activities.

Such acts will be dealt with as misconduct under the trust’s grievance and/or disciplinary procedures and appropriate action will be taken. Particularly serious complaints could amount to gross misconduct and lead to dismissal without notice.

5. Making opportunities for training, development and progress available to all staff who will be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential, so their talents and resources can be fully utilised to maximise the efficiency of the trust.

6. Making decisions concerning staff based on merit (apart from in any necessary and limited exemptions and exceptions allowed under the Equality Act).

7. Reviewing and updating employment policies, practices and procedures to ensure they

remain relevant to the needs of the trust and compliant with employment law and HR best practice.

8. Monitoring the diversity of our employees as one measure of the success of this policy.