Historic England

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.

At Historic England we’re always looking for new ways to promote the past in ways that are inclusive to all and that 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.

We are currently seeking to recruit three new members for the Historic Estate Conservation Committee. This specialist committee advises 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 in two main ways:

(a) by 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) through a programme of site visits to properties to assess work in progress and to review the quality and nature of what is being done.

Read more about the Historic Estate Conservation Committee and its current Terms of Reference.

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 the retirement of committee members, 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.

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 Estate Conservation Committee Person Specification

All Committee members are encouraged to contribute effectively to the overall work of the Committee and will be required to demonstrate:

• 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.

The Committee's main activities are:

• Attendance at site visits across the country, of which there are 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;

• Attendance at formal Committee meetings (there are generally four per year, in London or on site);

• Sharing expertise with other Committee members and Historic England staff;

• Participation in occasional conferences and seminars to assist in Historic England’s strategic development (there is unlikely to be more than a single event in any one year).

Qualifications

Beyond the skills and knowledge identified under the above person specification, no formal qualification or professional status is required to fulfil the role, although Conservation Accreditation is highly desirable and Specialist Conservation Accreditation desirable.

How to apply

Please apply via our Applied Recruitment Platform. You will be invited to tell us:

• Why being a part of Historic England’s Historic Estate Conservation Committee interests you

• 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

 A CV will also be requested from which personal details will be redacted prior to selecting for interview.

The deadline for applications is: 23.59pm on 30th September 2025.

Provisional face to face interview dates: 22nd/23rd/24th October. If you are successful at application you will be invited to a face to face interview which will include a small field exercise.

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.