We’re delighted to announce the launch of our Heritage Network Expert Panel, a new initiative designed to bring together knowledgeable, dedicated professionals who want to give back to the community heritage sector while developing their own skills and reputation.
If you’re someone with significant experience in the heritage sector and you enjoy mentoring, problem-solving, and sharing your experience to help others succeed, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference.
What Is the Expert Panel?
The Expert Panel is a carefully selected group of trusted professionals from across our Network who help us deliver support to our members. You might be a Partner Member, a leader of a Heritage Trust, or a freelance consultant — what matters is your expertise and your commitment to supporting others.
As a panel member, you could be called on to:
- Help resolve complex casework for member organisations.
- Provide short-term mentoring support to members of the Network.
- Contribute to our new Organisational Health Checks, a structured process to help groups reflect, troubleshoot, and plan for the future.
- Support the delivery of our funded projects across the UK.
The Expert Panel is a structured way for the Heritage Network to deliver high-quality, tailored support, and ensure your contributions are recognised, fairly allocated, and (where appropriate) financially compensated.
“The session was really useful as I’d never been able to put the issues into words and it has made me think a lot more about succession planning and different models for decision making” – Participant in our pilot Organisational Health Checks.
Why Join?
Joining the Expert Panel means more than just volunteering your time. It’s a two-way opportunity:
- Make a meaningful impact by supporting grassroots heritage groups and getting involved in inspiring, rewarding work.
- Build your professional profile as a publicly recognised member of the Heritage Network Expert Panel.
- Expand your network and build relationships with new projects, organisations, and opportunities.
- Receive honorarium payments for your time on funded assignments.
- Be part of a supportive community of peers, with access to optional CPD and peer learning
Who Can Apply?
We’re looking for individuals who:
- Have strong knowledge and experience in the heritage sector.
- Are interested in supporting community-led work and sharing their skills.
- Are open to taking on short-term assignments when available (typically half a day of work, and you’re not obligated to take everything offered).
- Are part of the Heritage Network (Network, Network Plus, Partner, Partner Plus, or Supporter Members).
We’ll aim to build a diverse pool of panel members across regions, disciplines, and backgrounds, so we’ll ask for a bit of detail during the application to help us create a wide-ranging Expert Panel and to allocate work fairly.
“I had an epiphany during the diganostic session!” – Participant in our pilot Organisational Health Checks.
How It Works
You’ll start by applying through our Expert Panel Recruitment Form. If selected, we’ll invite you to a short online induction and ask you to agree to a few simple terms. From there, we’ll match you with opportunities that suit your skills and availability.
All work is arranged through the Heritage Network — members won’t contact you directly, and we’ll handle the admin. Some assignments will be funded and paid; others may be optional and pro bono.
We’re so excited to start putting the new Heritage Network Expert Panel together, and we’d love to hear from you if you’re interested. If you’re ready to connect with inspiring projects, use your experience to support others, and play a key role in strengthening the heritage sector, please apply now:
Apply now via the Expert Panel Recruitment Form
Have questions? Please get in touch with our Development and Outreach Officers in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland (contact details below)
Development and Outreach Officer for England: Charlotte@heritagenetwork.org.uk
Development and Outreach Officer for Northern Ireland: Martina@heritagenetwork.org.uk
Development and Outreach Officer for Scotland: Sarah@heritagenetwork.org.uk
Development and Outreach Officer for Wales: Izabella@heritagenetwork.org.uk
