We are searching for new Trustees to join the Heritage Alliance Board!
Are you passionate about our diverse cultural and natural heritage and the forward-facing role it could play in enriching places and communities for everyone? Do you want to make a difference by supporting the people who care for it? Could you work with committed Trustees, staff and volunteers to influence policies and support heritage organisations?
If that is you, you could be one of our new Trustees! Join us!
We are The Heritage Alliance, the largest collaboration of independent heritage organisations in the UK, with over 180 members representing more than 7 million members, volunteers, Trustees, and staff. We are a charity which supports our members and the wider heritage sector by influencing decision-makers and funders, by promoting the importance of heritage to everybody’s lives, and by supporting the sector through training and networking, which has proved a lifeline to many in these unexpectedly difficult times.
Please read on for further information about The Heritage Alliance and how to apply. You can also download the full information as a PDF document here.
Our context
Celebrating our 20th Anniversary this year, The Heritage Alliance is a growing membership organisation and charity, passionate about promoting the importance of heritage to prosperity, wellbeing, our environment, creativity and social resilience. We are committed to promoting new thinking and conversations, and to ensuring that our sector better reflects the varied geographical, ethnic and cultural characteristics of the UK.
We gather insights so that we can effectively influence policy making locally and nationally, run sector support programmes with major partners such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England, and twice every year we bring members together with the wider sector for our renowned Heritage Debate and Heritage Day. The world is changing, and we are championing new thinking and new conversations. The Heritage Alliance is committed to supporting our membership to succeed and we want to reflect that diversity of focus and thinking on our own Board.
We wish to see a society which:
* Recognises the contemporary role of heritage places, spaces, culture and objects;
* Values the contribution intrinsic heritage value makes in creating and sustaining social, educational, environmental and economic outcomes;
* Supports the importance of volunteering to so many of our member organisations and to their communities.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for new Trustees to join us, to continue to build the capacity and diversity of our Board. As a sector support body committed to making change and supporting our members to be fit for the future, we feel passionately that our Trustee Board should be truly representative of the people it serves. So we particularly seek applications from a variety of backgrounds, especially ethnically diverse people who are under-represented on our own board and across the heritage sector.
Each member of the Board brings their own expertise, experience and skill set to the work of The Heritage Alliance. While it is important that you have some understanding of, or commitment to the heritage sector, we are keen to have a wider range of varied lived experience, new perspectives and sound judgments.
In addition, we are particularly looking for people who have experience:
*with micro and wholly voluntary organisations; and/or
*in mobile heritage, construction or commercial heritage organisations; and/or
*in income generation and membership development; and/or
*with strong networks in political and parliamentary affairs.
What’s expected from me as a Trustee?
Trustees are the people who lead a charity and decide how it is run by shaping strategy, advocating for and representing the sector, monitoring our performance against objectives and supporting and advising the small Executive team.
You do not need to have been a Trustee before as training will be provided. The board meets formally six times a year including at our Annual General Meeting. However, additional meetings may take place, as necessary, and Trustees are encouraged to engage with our members and the wider sector.
You will play an exciting role in championing and promoting our vision and objectives. You can be based anywhere in the UK, and while the role is not remunerated, reasonable expenses will be paid to enable you to attend any in-person meetings and events, which will normally, but not always, take place in London.
How will I be supported?
All Trustees will be fully supported in their role. Mentoring and bespoke support are available as required.
As a minimum, each Trustee receives:
● An induction on the work of the Trust and the role of Trustees
● The opportunity to have a buddy Trustee if you’re new to the role
● The chance to participate in supporting the future of the heritage sector
● A schedule of meetings at least six months in advance to plan around your other commitments
● Opportunities to network with other professionals and like-minded individuals from across the heritage sector
● Exposure to invaluable, transferable skills and a chance to gain experience in new settings
● Reimbursement of reasonable costs in line with our Expenses Policy
● Guidance and support on delivering on your legal duties as a Trustee
Further Information
If you are interested in the role and would like to know more about both The Heritage Alliance and being a Trustee, please do join us for an informal virtual conversation open to all potential candidates. These will be held on Zoom, on Friday 21st October and Friday 4th November, both at 13.00 – 14.00. If you would like to attend either, please email us and we will send you the links: policy@theheritagealliance.org.uk
How to apply
Please apply via email (address below) to our Chair, Pam Alexander, outlining briefly:
- Why you want to join The Heritage Alliance, and what you would bring
- Your relevant skills and experience
- How you would support the work of The Heritage Alliance
Please send this, along with you CV, to Pam by email: chair@theheritagealliance.org.uk. Please also let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments during the candidate process.
The deadline is 23.50pm on 13th November. Successful candidates will be asked to interview either in person on 6th December in London or via Zoom on 9th December.
For advice or support with your application, or to ask any prior questions, please email Polly Martin, Head of Policy and Communications; policy@theheritagealliance.org.uk