The Department for Culture Media and Sport invites applications for Trustees for Historic Royal Palaces with expertise in the property / construction world (for instance, as a project manager, architect, surveyor, client or other property related background – to assist the Historic Royal Palaces in developing the potential of historic sites) or as an Historian.
Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) is the independent charity charged with the management of five former royal palaces and their associated contents and landscapes. As custodian of some of Britain’s most iconic historic buildings, HRP is responsible for the care, preservation, and presentation to the public of: the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, the Banqueting House at Whitehall, and Kew Palace with its Royal Kitchens and Queen Charlotte’s cottage, visited by 4 million people every year.
HRP was established by Royal Charter in 1998 and is contracted to the Secretary of State for Culture
Media and Sport. Under the Royal Charter, HRP has two primary aims:
(a) to manage, conserve, renovate, repair, maintain and improve the Palaces to a high standard consistent with their status as buildings of Royal association and historic and/or architectural importance; and
(b) to help everyone to learn about the Palaces, the skills required for their conservation and the wider story of how monarchs and people together have shaped society by providing public access, by exhibition, by events and education programmes, by the preparation of records, by research and by publication and by such other means as are appropriate.
HRP has recently concluded negotiations with the Northern Ireland Office to take on Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. Responsibility for Hillsborough Castle will be a seminal shift in the scope of HRP’s work; extending the geographic focus as well bringing a new historical dimension to the sites managed.
HRP is a public corporation and receives no public revenue funding: all costs are met by self-generated income. Current annual turnover covering all activities is around £80 million, the majority (64%) being from visitors, including the very successful membership scheme that boasts 72,000 members. HRP has around 800 employees, 150 other staff employed through contractors and 200 volunteers.
HRP has an extensive record of development and achievement in recent years and ambitious plans for the future at all its sites. Comprehensive new strategies are also in place for Learning and Engagement,
Digital and Independent Research Organisation status. Income streams are from visitors, retail, catering, functions and events, and fundraising.
Further information about HRP is available at www.hrp.org.uk

The Board of Trustees is ultimately accountable for the organisation and for ensuring that the Charter aims are met. It delegates authority within agreed limits to the Executive Board and provides oversight, monitoring, support and advocacy.
Trustees retain the authority to contribute to and approve strategic and annual operating plans, and other major projects and strategies.
The Executive Board, comprising the chief executive and seven directors, is responsible for preparing strategic and annual operating plans and for the day-to-day operation of the organisation.
Time commitment and location of meetings
The time commitment is typically the equivalent of about one full day per month although more might be required from time to time.
This includes seven half-day Board Meetings, an annual strategic review session, other sub-committee meetings as necessary, plus time to study papers, and to attend events. Board meetings are held in one of the Palaces.
Remuneration
Trustees give their services on an honorary basis and receive no remuneration, except for expenses reasonably incurred in the performance of such services.
Term of Appointment
The initial term of appointment is three years. Trustees may be reappointed for a second term subject to approval of the Secretary of State.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate: a) Ability to make a significant contribution to the overall strategic direction and governance of HRP, and to appreciate the complex organisational balance between charitable aims and financial and commercial pressures. b) Care about Historic Royal Palaces, its Cause and fields of interest, and heritage generally and have awareness of current and future trends and ideas as they affect HRP. c) Ability to engage constructively with Trustees, the Executive Board, staff and stakeholders on the range of issues necessary to achieve Historic Royal Palaces’s aims and be able to connect with people effectively at all levels. d) A firm commitment to diversity in all its aspects, an understanding of the principles of non-profit governance and a willingness to support fundraising appropriately. e) Significant commitment to Historic Royal Palaces, including the ability to give the necessary time to the role and meeting responsibilities in London and elsewhere.
The successful candidate for this appointment will be expected to provide a top level strategic overview for the Board on property and construction matters. The candidate will therefore also be able to demonstrate expertise in the property / construction world, ideally, with knowledge of historic buildings conservation and/or developing the potential of historic sites.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the general qualities required of all Trustees of
HRP: a) Ability to make a significant contribution to the overall strategic direction and governance of HRP, and to appreciate the complex organisational balance between charitable aims and financial and commercial pressures. b) Care about Historic Royal Palaces, its Cause and fields of interest, and heritage generally and have awareness of current and future trends and ideas as they affect HRP. c) Ability to engage constructively with Trustees, the Executive Board, staff and stakeholders on the range of issues necessary to achieve HRP’s aims and be able to connect with people effectively at all levels. d) A firm commitment to diversity in all its aspects, an understanding of the principles of non-profit governance and a willingness to support fundraising appropriately. e) Significant commitment to Historic Royal Palaces, including the ability to give the necessary time to the role and meeting responsibilities in London and elsewhere,
The successful candidate for this appointment will also be able to demonstrate: f) Evidence of significant academic achievement as an historian in a field relevant to the history of any of the six palaces and to Historic Royal
Palaces’ cause generally g) The ability to act as a mentor to our curatorial team and to assist Historic Royal Palaces with its research strategy. h) The ability to support Historic Royal Palaces’ research funding applications, through their own knowledge of the processes involved in gaining funding and/or the networks to bring other experienced historians into partnership on research projects.
It would also be helpful if applicants have an active interest in the public’s engagement with history and an understanding of public history in the media.

To express an interest in either role, and to be considered, please submit the following through the
GatenbySanderson website:
 a comprehensive CV or equivalent
 a covering letter that confirms the appointment you wish to be considered for, sets out clearly how you meet the candidate profile and outlines your motivation for applying.

Completed Declaration of Conflict of Interest and Political Activity forms, which are provided on this site, alongside the brief for candidates.
Please do ensure you have also completed and submitted the equal opportunities monitoring form provided on this site. The information on the form will be treated as confidential, and used for statistical purposes only.
The form will not be treated as part of your application.
The closing date for applications is noon on Monday 19 th January 2015.
The How to Apply section of the website provides clear instructions for uploading your application successfully. If, however, you have any queries in relation to the application process, or you experience difficulties uploading your application, please do not hesitate to telephone the GatenbySanderson team on
020 7426 3961.
If you have any queries about any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information or wish to have an informal and confidential discussion, then our advising consultant at GatenbySanderson, Juliet
Taylor (020 7426 3990), will be pleased to take your call.
GatenbySanderson will respect the privacy of any initial approach or expression of interest in this role, whether formal or informal.

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If you have any queries at all regarding the timetable below, please contact Juliet Taylor at
GatenbySanderson on 0207 426 3990.
19 th January 2015 Closing date for formal expressions of interest w/c 26 w/c 26 th th
January 2015
January 2015 w/c 2 nd February 2015
Initial sift of applications and Selection Panel agrees a longlist of applicants
Longlisted applicants may be invited to discuss their interest in the role further with GatenbySanderson
A shortlist of applicants will be agreed by Ministers w/c 16 th /23 rd February 2015 Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend interview
Late February and early
March
Early to mid-March 2015
The Panel will submit recommendations to Ministers for consideration
Ministers’ decisions and final appointment made.