Expressions of Interest Sought: Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committees, Diocesan Advisory Committees and the Church Buildings Council

The Cathedral and Church Buildings Division of the Church of England would like to hear from specialists in the history, care and conservation of religious buildings with the time and skills to serve on one of our voluntary expert committees.

Joining an advisory committee or the Council offers a unique opportunity to help to ensure the long-term protection and sustainability of cathedrals and churches. Membership provides great prospects for professional development and will allow you to engage with unique situations in special buildings that need bespoke solutions. Beyond scholarly and/or practical expertise we are looking for applicants who will bring imagination, insight, and new and diverse perspectives to bear on the significance of our churches and cathedrals and the challenges they face. Applications from BAME professionals are especially welcomed, to reverse the historic underrepresentation of their voices among our advisers. There is no requirement to be a Christian, though members must act in sympathy with the mission of the Church.

Changes to cathedral and church buildings, their settings and their contents are managed by a statutory planning system of which our committees are an integral part. Each cathedral has a Fabric Advisory Committee to advise on and give permission for works of conservation, repair, development and beautification. Diocesan Advisory Committees and the Church Buildings Council advise on works to parish churches at a regional and a national level respectively. More information on each committee can be found by following the links below.

Expressions of interest are invited from specialists in the following areas:

Histories

Archaeology
Architectural History
Art History
Church history
Contested heritage
Music and liturgy
Unwritten and underrepresented histories

The ongoing use and development of historic buildings

Accessibility in historic buildings
Architectural design
Development for community uses
Engineering (structural and civil)
Fine art, applied arts, and crafts
Church ordering for worship
Masterplanning
Public realm improvement
Visitor management

Care of collections

Curation and collections management
Heritage management
Libraries and Archives
The conservation of buildings and objects (including organs, bells, clocks, paintings, wall paintings, sculpture, furnishings, and stained glass)

Building performance and environmental sustainability

Building environmental performance (including ways to tackle heat loss)
Building services (mechanical and electrical, including heating, lighting and A/V design; installation and adaptation)
Ecology and nature conservation and management
Switching to renewable energy (esp. photovoltaic panels and heat pumps)
Climate change adaptation and resilience

Advisory work is done in the context of the church or cathedral being a centre of worship and mission. Although there is no faith requirement to serve on an advisory committee, for some it may be a form of service. We are keen to have advisors who are representative of the population of our country. Applications from BAME professionals are especially welcomed, to reverse the historic underrepresentation of their voices among our advisers.

We welcome applications from competent and experienced and experienced professionals who can commit to meeting several times a year (in person, under normal circumstances), and occasional site visits. These roles are voluntary but reasonable travel expenses will be paid.

To express your interest, please send a CV and covering letter to [email protected]. Please indicate whether you are interested in serving on a specific cathedral or diocese or the Church Buildings Council, or whether you would be open to serving on any committee in your geographical area. Please let us know whether you would be happy for us to keep your details on file for future reference if we are not able to appoint you immediately.

Please send your application to arrive by Monday 11th January 2021.

Information for the positions on the Church Buildings Council is available here

Information for the positions on the Diocesan Advisory Committees is available here

Information for the positions on the Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committees is available here