A leadership role for Welsh heritage

The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) are seeking to appoint a Trustee for Wales. This is a key appointment, made by the Prime Minister with advice from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

NHMF is the fund of last resort tasked with saving the most outstanding treasures and masterpieces of the UK’s heritage at risk of being lost to the nation. HLF distributes funds from the National Lottery, and has awarded over £6.6billion to a vast array of projects across the UK during the past 21 years. In Wales more than £323million has been invested in over 2,300 projects, ranging from multi-million pound support for St Fagans, the world heritage site at Blaenavon and the landscapes of Gower to modest community projects such as one enabling the Menai Scouts from Anglesey to explore the heritage of the First World War.

The newly appointed Trustee will fulfil a range of key roles. They will act as a deputy chair of the Board of NHMF/HLF, represent the interests of Wales at the Board and also chair the Committee for Wales, taking decisions on local grants up to £2m.

Former Wales Trustee Manon Antoniazzi explained that this is a unique opportunity: “Supporting the full breadth of heritage is one of HLF’s key strengths together with challenging perceptions; heritage includes precious memories, cultural traditions, rare species and habitats, and historic parks. During my term I was inspired by the commitment of applicants, saw the impact modest funding can have in bringing together and strengthening communities and observed the power of heritage to touch chords with people everywhere.” 

Dan Clayton-Jones was Wales Trustee for six years. He said: "For anyone passionate about the heritage of Wales and the wider UK, the role of HLF Trustee and Chairman of the Committee for Wales is the most satisfying and fulfilling job imaginable. The difference that our grants make to the quality of people’s lives and the impact on saving those things we treasure is truly inspiring. It is a real privilege to have held this post, which for me was the most personally rewarding of my career.”

Sir Peter Luff, Chair of the NHMF/Heritage Lottery Fund, is keen to reinforces the important role of the Trustees. He said: “Thanks to National Lottery players we are able to invest in a great variety of projects that interpret heritage in so many different ways. Our Committees reflect that diversity of views and ensure that our internal dialogue is lively and constructive – and always taking heritage forward.” 

Further information

To find out more about the role, and to apply, please visit the Centre for Public Appointments website. Completed applications must be received by 5pm on 9 November 2015.