Historic Estate Conservation Committee

Overview

We are currently seeking to recruit three new members for the Historic Estate Conservation Committee. This specialist committee advises the Commission on the stewardship of the properties within the National Heritage Collection, as carried out by the English Heritage Trust. It performs this vital role through: (a) reviewing the policies and practices of the Trust in relation to the conservation of the c.420 properties in their care (including the curation of internationally important collections in some cases) and (b) a programme of site visits to properties to assess work in progress and to review the quality and nature of what is being done. The Committee’s remit is broad, including building, archaeological and collections conservation, historic estate management and designed landscape conservation.

We are seeking to appoint new members to fill gaps created by retirement, and are particularly keen to recruit new members with expertise in:

• Conservation of stone and masonry
• Archaeology and Archaeological Science
• Buildings archaeology
• Designed landscape history and conservation

Responsibilities

• Attend site visits across the country (around 6–8 per year) and contribute to writing the visit record. You will not be expected to attend all site visits but should be able to commit to up to four per year.
• Attend formal Committee meetings (generally four per year, in London or on site).
• Share expertise with other Committee members and Historic England staff.
• Participate in occasional conferences and seminars to assist in Historic England\’s strategic development (unlikely to be more than a single event in any one year).

Qualifications and Other Requirements

• The skills, knowledge and experience you possess that are specifically relevant to your application.
• How you have inspired change on a key issue within your working career in the historic environment.
• An understanding of Historic England\’s work, the environment in which it operates and a dedication to its aims and objectives.
• Knowledge of preservation and the conservation of buildings, monuments and collections, including in the context of the National Heritage Collection.
• Strong communication, influencing and persuading skills.
• An ability to work constructively with fellow Committee members and wider partners.
• An ability to represent their own area of expertise, as well as act collaboratively in Committee discussions.
• Beyond the skills and knowledge identified above, no formal qualification or professional status is required to fulfil the role, although Conservation Accreditation is highly desirable and Specialist Conservation Accreditation desirable.

Additional Information

Historic England recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those from under-represented groups and those based outside London and the South East. Please note that these positions are not remunerated, although all reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. The Committee typically meets four times a year in central London and visits on 6–8 days a year.

Historic England is the public body that looks after the historic environment, providing expert advice to protect and care for it, and helping the public to understand and enjoy it. We are always looking for new ways to promote the past in ways that are inclusive to all and celebrate the cultural diversity of England\’s heritage. To do that we need people with fresh perspectives, from all walks of life, to join us.