From its rich mix of museums, its historic homes to its south coast art galleries, from its Victorian town parks to the striking natural landscapes of the Chilterns and the South Downs, the region has a vibrant and diverse heritage and we need your help to continue making a real difference by joining or even leading the Heritage Lottery Fund’s South East England Committee.

Paul Hudson, who has chaired the South East Committee for the past six years, says: “However well you know the South East, I can promise you that it will constantly surprise you with the range of projects seeking funding from the HLF, and the inventiveness of applicants. Chairing the Committee is a real privilege in helping to make a real difference to people's appreciation and understanding of the very diverse built and natural heritage in the region; but at the same time it's often a huge challenge to decide between invariably excellent projects when there simply isn't enough money to fund everything.” 

HLF has a vacancy for a Chair and at least one Committee member to decide on funding for the heritage that is so loved by local people and visitors alike. The successful candidate would join fellow decision makers to help us to open up our heritage for everyone to enjoy. The South East has a vibrant heritage – from its museums, collections, parks and landscapes, to cultural histories and community memories – and HLF supports projects of every kind.

The Committee is made up of leading figures, some of whom have professional expertise in heritage, others come from the community or voluntary sector, or have experience in economic regeneration, tourism, education or commerce.

“We are looking for people who appreciate the South East’s incredible heritage and are passionate about promoting understanding and enjoyment of what there is to see, experience and learn about,” says Stuart McLeod, Head of HLF South East. “Chairs and committee members are the local people deciding where to invest money raised by National Lottery players. They also play an important role as advocates for heritage in their local area.”

HLF funding in South East England has supported a vast array of projects over the past 21 years, investing more than £700million in more than 3,900 projects. Recent highlights awarded by the South East England committee include restoring HMS M.33, the only surviving warship from the First World War’s Gallipoli campaign; saving JMW Turner’s exquisite painting High Street, Oxford, for the city’s Ashmolean Museum; rebuilding an iconic steam locomotive for the Mid Hants Railway; and promoting the care of high wooded areas across the Sussex Downs.

Anyone wishing to be considered for the positions should contact Stuart McLeod, on tel: 020 7591 6171, email: StuartM@hlf.org.uk.

Please email decisionmakers@hlf.org.uk if you have a query and would like to speak to someone about the recruitment process.

Notes to editors

The committee is one of 12 across the UK. Each one meets four times a year. Chairs and members are normally appointed for three years in the first instance with the potential for a second term. The Committee is responsible for investing National Lottery Players’ money in projects ranging from £100,000 to £2million. They are assisted by the region’s staff of professional officers whose role it is to provide detailed or specialist advice, upon which the committee bases its decisions.

To hear committee members talk about their role visit the Board and committee recruitment page. Application materials are available on our Committee vacancies page.

Thanks to National Lottery players, HLF invests money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about - from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. Follow us on Twitter: @heritagelottery