Appointment details

National Lottery Heritage Fund, 1 Scottish Trustee

Summary

• Organisation: National Heritage Memorial Fund/Heritage Lottery Fund (The National Lottery Heritage Fund)
• Sponsor department: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Culture, Media & Sport
• Skills: Business, Communication
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 5 day(s) per month
• Remuneration: £20749 per annum
• Length of term: Trustees will serve a term of three years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further three years. Decisions regarding reappointments rest with the Prime Minister.
• Application deadline: 7pm on 6 February 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   8 January 2025

2. Application deadline

   7pm on 6 February 2025

3. Sifting date

   28 February 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   21 March 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

Trustee for the National Heritage Memorial Fund / The National Lottery Heritage Fund

The Prime Minister wishes to appoint a new Trustee for The National Heritage Memorial Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund Board. This Trustee will also serve as the Chair of the Committee for Scotland. This appointment is made with the advice of the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS).

Appointment description

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 Scotland

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

The Chair of the Committee will work closely with the Scotland Director to promote and represent the Heritage Fund in Scotland. 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 Scotland and Scottish Parliament. The Chair of the Committee will also ensure that the Trustees have visibility of, and are able to engage with, key issues and opportunities that are specific to the Heritage Fund’s work in Scotland.  

To be appointed to the role you must be connected to Scotland by residence or otherwise and have an understanding and passion for Scotland, the opportunities its heritage can provide and the communities that live there. 

Organisation description

About the National Heritage Memorial Fund / The National Lottery Heritage Fund

The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) was established in 1980 to save the most outstanding parts of our national heritage at risk of loss to the nation, as a memorial to those who have given their lives for the UK; it is the fund of last resort for the nation’s heritage. NHMF has an endowment that currently stands at approximately £62.8m and is in annual receipt of £5m.  

In 1994, NHMF became the distributor of the heritage share of National Lottery money for good causes, which it now operates through The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Since its inception, the Heritage Fund has awarded over £8.3 billion to over 47,000 projects across the UK from money raised by the National Lottery for good causes.

Our new 10-year strategy, Heritage 2033, sets out the Heritage Fund’s ambitions to support projects of all sizes that connect people and communities to the UK’s heritage. Over the next decade the Heritage Fund will take a longer-term view, investing in heritage for the future as well as for the present, investing in places, not just individual projects, to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment. 

Over the next 10 years, the Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities, strengthening and focusing support for the UK’s heritage using four principles: saving heritage; protecting the environment; inclusion, access and participation; and organisational sustainability.

Person specification

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 Scotland.

The role of the Board of Trustees

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, Northern Ireland, Wales, 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.

Board meetings rotate between the three English regions and the three home countries, 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 they represent.

Board composition

The Board consists of:

• Dr Simon Thurley - Chair of the Board
• Ray Macfarlane
• Denise Lewis Poulton
• Mukesh Sharma MBE
• Julian Glover
• Taryn Nixon
• Carol Pyrah
• James Twining
• Anna Eavis
• Roisha Hughes

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

Candidates should be able to demonstrate in their application: 

• A wide-ranging expert knowledge of UK and in particular Scottish heritage with the ability to weigh up relative heritage significance;
• An understanding of the work of NHMF and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the environment in which it operates and a commitment to its aims and objectives.
• Leadership experience in the public, private or voluntary sector, with an ability to chair meetings and enable consensual decision-making.
• An ability to exercise sound judgement in relation to strategy and governance, regulation and accountability.
• Strong communication and influencing skills with the ability to command the respect of the panel and the heritage sector;
• A commitment to conserving and protecting our cultural, natural and built heritage, and improving education and understanding of UK and World history;
• A commitment to improving opportunities for people to access and experience heritage, particularly from under-served audiences.
• Knowledge and experience of policy and legal environment in Scotland, including knowledge of Scottish Government, and/or local government. 

Application and selection process

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:

• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a supporting statement
• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues

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.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

The advisory assessment panel will be as follows:

• Fazima Osborn - DCMS Panel Chair,  Deputy Director for Heritage
• Simon Thurley CBE - Chair of  National Lottery Heritage Fund/National Heritage Memorial Fund
• Olivia Horsfall Turner - Independent Panel Member
• Shona Riach - Scottish Government Representative

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact victora.watts@dcms.gov.uk

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria', we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert. When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or ten years in any one post. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the DCMS public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at publicappointments@dfcms.gov.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

How to complain to Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

If you are not content with the appointing department’s response you may wish to further complain to the Commissioner at publicappointments@csc.gov.uk.Further information on how the Commissioner handles complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ website https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/regulating-appointments/investigating-complaints/

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

Contact details

If you have any questions about the appointments process, please contact Victoria Watts, Campaign Manager at DCMS (victoria.watts@dcms.gov.uk). 

If you would like to speak about the role itself, please contact Danielle Hampson-Ward, Head of Governance (danielle.hampson@heritagefund.org.uk) at The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Attachments

• NLHF Scotland Trustee 2025

• Privacy Notice

• Code of Conduct for Board members