Summary

We are the public body that looks after England’s historic environment. We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them.

The Historic England National Blue Plaques scheme celebrates people throughout history that made an important and positive contribution to human welfare or happiness. It recognises those inspirational people by putting plaques up in different places across England, to help raise awareness of their achievements and remember their contributions.

The national scheme complements the London scheme run by English Heritage, and we are working together on developing our approach. The national scheme will focus exclusively on plaques outside of London.

We are looking to recruit six people to make up the new National Blue Plaques Panel. Please apply via the email below as outlined. Please do not click on the "Apply" button as this is an off-system process.

The role of the National Blue Plaques Panel is to advise and support staff working on the Historic England national scheme. As a panel member, you’ll be reviewing an exciting list of nominations from people across England to help Historic England decide who should be commemorated with a new plaque.

This is the first time Historic England has run a national blue plaques scheme and is delivering three demonstrator projects over the next six months to test different ways of working. The panel will be recruited for the duration of the demonstrator phase, with a view to extending their term as the national scheme is established. The term for the national scheme is likely to be four years, with a possibility of a further two-year extension. After the demonstrator phase and when the national scheme is live, meetings are likely to take place three times a year.

The panel will meet twice over the six-month demonstrator period for up to three hours at each meeting. Meetings are likely to be in person with a hybrid option to join virtually. Preparation time will be required before each meeting.

This is a scheme that represents people and places across England, as such we’re looking for a panel that is representative of the UK population, as well as representing different geographies.  We particularly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people, women and people with disabilities as they are underrepresented at this level.

Please note that these positions are not remunerated, although all reasonable expenses will be paid.

What you will be doing

All Panel members will be expected to contribute effectively to the overall work of the Panel and will be required to:

• Have an interest in and passion for history, historic places and the historic environment

• Have strong influencing, inter-personal and relationship building abilities and the ability to work effectively as a member of a team

• Be understanding to Historic England’s role as a politically impartial Arm’s Length-Body

• A commitment to Nolan's Principles of Public Life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

• Read and analyse reports on those individuals being considered for a blue plaque to be discussed at the panel meeting.

• Draw on experience and knowledge within subject matter fields to inform decisions over who will be commemorated with a plaque.

• Offer advice and comment on the findings of the evaluation from the demonstrator phase and give recommendations for the running of the future national scheme.

What we are looking for

• Analytical skills, comfortable assessing historical evidence to come to an informed view

• Experience in one of the below fields, should be evidenced by a senior appointment held (or similar evidence of relevant expertise), a public profile in the field in question or a strong publication record.

  Culture, including Literature, Music, Film, Theatre, Poetry, Photography, Architecture, Visual arts & sculpture  

  Science, including Innovation and invention, Medicine, Engineering

  Politics & Reform  

  Sport  

  Travel & Exploration  

  Other relevant experience, which could include local history, biography, philosophy etc

How to apply

Please note you're not required to click on the Applied link and complete the Applied online application, please apply by sending an expression of interest and CV to blueplaques@historicengland.org.uk  using ‘National Blue Plaque Panel’ in the subject line of your email.

In your expression of interest, please briefly outline (in no more than 250 words for each) these areas:

·      Why being a part of the National Blue Plaques Panel interests you

·      The skills, knowledge and experience you possess that are specifically relevant to your application

The deadline for applications is 27th September 2023

Interviews will be held online week commencing 3rd October.

Appointments are made by the Chairman of Historic England following appropriate interviews and in line with the Government’s seven principles of public life (The ‘Nolan Principles’).

We regret that those candidates who are not shortlisted will not be given feedback.