Introduction
The National Archives is a non-ministerial department of government, and the official archive and publisher for the UK Government and for England and Wales. We work to secure the future of the public record, both digital and physical, for future generations.
We are the guardians of records spanning over 1,000 years, of iconic national documents from Domesday Book and Shakespeare’s will to modern government records and tweets from Downing Street, and our records are accessible to everyone across the globe. Our collection is one of the largest in the world, containing over 11 million historical government and public records, paper and parchment, digital records and websites, photographs, posters, maps, drawings, and paintings, and it is accessible to everyone across the globe.
We are expert, world-leading advisers in information and records management and are a multifaceted cultural, academic and heritage institution. The National Archives is an essential resource for justice and our democracy, and an asset for future generations as one of the world’s great collections.
Our historic mission endures: to collect and preserve the record, to make it accessible to the biggest and most diverse possible audiences, to use our expertise and knowledge to connect people with their history and with the content of the record, and to lead, partner and support archives at home and worldwide.
Introduction from the Chair
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Non-Executive Board Member at The National Archives. We are delighted that you are considering joining this unique organisation.
The National Archives is at a transformative moment in its history. Digital records are revolutionising the way that information is preserved and new technologies are enabling people to access archival collections more quickly and more easily than ever before. We need to be ready for the sweeping changes that artificial intelligence will make to how we interact with data day to day, bringing leadership across government on all aspects of information management.
Alongside this we continue to acquire and preserve new deposits of physical records. We are currently transferring millions of historical records of military service personnel into our care and, from 2024, will welcome the Parliamentary Archives to our site at Kew. The near future also sees changes to our leadership, with the appointment of a new Chief Executive and Keeper.
Supporting this transformation, we have recently embarked upon a new four-year strategic plan. At its heart is a commitment to sustaining and maximising our value and impact as a national archive, and of the archive sector more widely. We want to build the value of our collections through custodianship and through digital innovation, and by expanding our public engagement work. Our strategic plan is described on page five.
To achieve our ambitions, we will continue to need advice, support and challenge from a strong and capable Board. Our Non-Executive Board Members make a major contribution to shaping The National Archives’ direction and progress. As a member of the Board, your insights will be essential in helping us fulfil our role of providing scrutiny, advice, support and challenge. Your professional experience will bring strong, effective oversight and responsible governance. Your ability to bring new and innovative ways of thinking will help us work effectively as a team.
We are looking for people who can drive us forward. If you have the experience, enthusiasm and skills to help us reach our goals, we are keen to hear from you.
Role description
• Provide advice, guidance and challenge to the Chief Executive and Keeper and Executive Directors to support sound strategic and collective decision making at The National Archives.
• Support the delivery of The National Archives' vision and strategic priorities and contribute to developing and deciding long-term strategies.
• Use personal and professional skills, experience and judgement with integrity and independence to scrutinise the short and long-term performance of The National Archives.
• Provide constructive, independent challenge and support to the Executive Team on the progress and implementation of the business plan.
• Be satisfied of the integrity of financial information and that the financial
controls and systems and risk management are robust and defensible.
Organisation description
The National Archives’ Board is the key strategic advisory body of The National Archives. It advises and supports the Chief Executive and Keeper as accounting officer, providing scrutiny and challenge for strategic decision making.
As a Non-executive Board Member, you will work with the Chair of The National Archives’ Board, other Non-Executive Board Members, the Chief Executive and Keeper and the Executive Directors.
The Board has three committees. You may also, depending upon experience, be a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and/or the newly established Finance and Performance Committee. All Non-executive Board Members are also members of the Nominations and Governance Committee.
We are looking for two Non-executive Board members to fill vacancies arising in May 2024, when two current members will complete their second terms. These appointments are subject to the Public Appointments Order in Council and as such must comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
Board composition
Regulation of appointment
This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the
Commissioner’s website