*Closes 30th April*

The Heritage Fund is looking for a Trustee who in addition to their role on the Board will also serve as the Chair of the Committee for Northern Ireland.

NHMF was established by the National Heritage Act 1980 (NHA1980) and is vested in and administered by a body corporate known as the Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the ‘Board of Trustees’). The functions of the Board of Trustees are set out principally in the NHA1980 (as amended) and the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 (NLA1993). Trustees are appointed by the Prime Minister.
The Board of Trustees sets the strategic and policy framework within which its statutory functions in relation to the Heritage Fund are discharged. The Board of Trustees makes decisions concerning the distribution of monies and currently delegates funding decisions of up to £5 million to committees in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and three geographical areas in England – North; Midlands & East; and London & South, and to staff (up to £250,000).
Six NHMF Trustees chair the area and country committees acting as the bridge between national policy and local delivery. One Trustee chairs the Audit and Risk Committee, one chairs the National Heritage Memorial Fund Panel, and one is the lead Trustee for Grant in Aid funding and other non-Lottery income and chairs any decision panels on non-Lottery and non-NHMF awards.
The Board usually meets six times a year. Board meetings rotate between the three English regions and the three nations, with additional meetings in London and other locations where necessary. Trustees are also expected to attend project openings, to represent the Heritage Fund in the media, and to speak on behalf of the organisation at public events in relation to the area or nation they represent.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund Trustee

Time commitment x 5 day(s) per month

Remuneration: £20,749 per annum

Length of term: 3 years

Application deadline: 7pm on 30 April 2026

The role of the Trustee

The role of Trustee represents an exciting and challenging opportunity for an individual with a strong commitment to, and enthusiasm for, the UK’s diverse heritage, to make a lasting contribution.

As a member of the Board of Trustees, each Trustee will be expected to contribute to:

  • Strategic planning and management of the organisation.

  • Our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.

  • Making decisions regarding the allocation or distribution of monies from the Heritage Fund.

  • Overseeing the activities and performance of its committees and panels.

  • Financial planning and monitoring, including reviewing and approving the organisation’s business plans and annual reports and accounts.

  • Ensuring the effectiveness and adequacy of the organisation’s risk management, internal controls, and governance procedures and processes.

  • Managing change within the organisation and organisational development.

  • Ensuring the organisation and its executive team meet performance objectives.

  • Building relationships with stakeholders and supporting strategic partnerships.

  • Ensuring that equality and diversity are embedded at all levels of the organisation and across its activities.

  • Adhering to and demonstrating the values and behaviours of the organisation.

The Board of Trustees also bring skills, knowledge, and experience in the following areas:

  • Demonstrable understanding and experience of at least one aspect of UK heritage.

  • Awareness of the strategic context of heritage issues in the UK.

  • General business, commercial, and/or public sector management experience in either a medium sized or large organisation.

  • Chairing meetings.

  • People motivation and management.

  • Corporate governance and/or non-executive leadership.

  • Stakeholder engagement and public affairs at a national level.

  • Devising and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives.

  • Digital transformation, with a focus on ensuring IT systems have relevant audience insights and best customer care practice.

  • An insight into the processes of local government and community development.

The role of the Chair of the Committee for Northern Ireland

In addition to serving on our Board, the trustee will also chair the Committee for Northern Ireland, which oversees the distribution of National Lottery funds within parameters delegated by the Trustees, and acts as advocate for the Heritage Fund in Northern Ireland.

The Chair of the Committee will work closely with the Northern Ireland Director to promote and represent the Heritage Fund in Northern Ireland. The successful appointee will be required, consistent with the Heritage Fund’s strategic objectives, to engage actively with stakeholders in the heritage and cultural sectors in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive. The Chair of the Committee will also ensure that the other Trustees have visibility of, and are able to engage with, key issues and opportunities that are specific to the Heritage Fund’s work in Northern Ireland.

Person specification

Essential criteria

  • Knowledge: a clear understanding and commitment to the work, priorities and challenges of NHMF and the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the context within which it operates; contributing to the National Board but also cultural, built and natural heritage of Northern Ireland.
  • Leadership: the ability to set strategic vision, ensure effective governance is maintained and drive forward priorities of the Committee for Northern Ireland; in particular the ability to chair meetings and ensure financial responsibility.
  • Judgement: effective decision-making skills with the ability to critically analyse a wide range of information to make clear and objective evidence-based recommendations to support the delivery of NHMF and the National Lottery Heritage Fund objectives.
  • Communication: strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect.
  • Collaboration: ability to work closely with the executive board and other key stakeholders, providing support, constructive challenge and assurance as appropriate.
  • A demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and tackling inequalities to unlock the advantages of Heritage for everyone.
The Chair of the Committee for Northern Ireland must live or work primarily in Northern Ireland.

Desirable criteria

  • Knowledge and experience of policy and legal environment in Northern Ireland, including knowledge of The Northern Ireland Executive, and/or local government.

How to Apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on ‘apply for this role’ and follow the on-screen instructions To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

  • equality information
  • information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues
  • a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • a supporting statement
  • a short professional biography (150 words)

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

As part of your application, you will be asked to provide equality information including special category data (which may identify your race/ ethnic background or health); you have the choice to opt out from sharing any equality data, by selecting ‘prefer not to say’. We use your personal information and special category data for a wide range of purposes, to enable us to carry out our functions as a government department.

  • The data will be visible to departmental officials for the purpose of managing the Public Appointment Process for which you have applied.
  • Data will also be available to other individuals involved in the process including Government Ministers, Advisory Assessment Panel members and members of the Commissioner for Public Appointments team, and our IT providers.
  • To monitor the diversity and inclusivity of our processes, your special category data may be shared with the Advisory Assessment Panel that is responsible for sifting candidate CVs and interviewing candidates.
  • The Advisory Assessment Panel may use your special category data to help ensure Boards are representative of the United Kingdom. The data will help us understand the diversity of public appointees and to satisfy our public sector equality duty (PSED). You may opt out of this if you so wish by selecting “prefer not to say” for any or all categories, and your application will still be considered. You must opt out before the application deadline closes.
  • If you are offered an interview for a Public Appointment your data may be shared with the employees and Board Members of the Public Body for which you are applying, for the purposes of scheduling the interview, informing you of the outcome and providing feedback after the interview.
  • If you are successful in your application we will share your contact details with the Public Body so that staff can make arrangements for you to start your role.