Preserving, developing and enriching the heritage of Northern Ireland is an aspiration that many of us cherish and there is a great opportunity to be a part of it. HLF plays a key role in Northern Ireland and our awarding of over £193million to projects across the country, large and small, has enabled groups to breathe new life into old buildings and actively engage with local people and communities.

DCMS is launching a campaign to recruit a Trustee for Northern Ireland who will Chair the Committee for Northern Ireland, will consider applications across the UK at the NHMF/HLF Board and will be a Deputy Chair of the Board, along with the Chairs for Scotland and Wales.   This is a prime ministerial appointment, made with the advice of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

[quote=Former Northern Ireland Trustee Ronnie Spe]“I found the experience to be thoroughly rewarding at every level, including broadening my own knowledge of our rich and varied heritage.”[/quote]

Former Northern Ireland Trustee Ronnie Spence says that this is a unique opportunity: “As UK Trustee, you contribute to developing NHMF’s strategy, overseeing the management of a significant body, and taking difficult decisions for incredible heritage projects. As Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee you guide members in taking decisions on projects with grant requests under £2m and work closely with the team in Belfast, in a context where heritage issues can, because of the area’s history, be challenging.

“I found the experience to be thoroughly rewarding at every level, including broadening my own knowledge of our rich and varied heritage. It was also a great pleasure and privilege to work alongside my fellow trustees and committee members, the committed and professional officers, and to meet the many grantees developing and delivering the projects.”

HLF has many different grant programmes that are tailored for the needs of the applicant. From large multi-million pound projects, such as HMS Caroline and the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership, to smaller projects that are delivering community-focused activities such as the Creative Centenaries programme and the Duncairn Arts and Cultural Centre, they all play a part in defining our heritage.

Sir Peter Luff is Chair of HLF and he emphasised the important role of the trustees: “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.” 

How to apply 

Visit the Cabinet Office website to apply.