Expression of Interest:
City of London Blue Plaques Panel
Subject Matter Expert Members (Four appointments)
A unique and inspiring opportunity awaits:
The newly formed City of London Blue Plaques Panel is seeking four outstanding Subject Matter Experts to help assess blue plaque applications that celebrate and elevate the City of London’s rich history.
The advisory Panel will bring together specialist expertise alongside City Corporation officers and Culture, Heritage & Libraries (CHL) Committee Members to support the newly redesigned Blue Plaques Scheme, relaunching in September 2026. The Heritage Estate Section, in the Regeneration & Development Group, within City Surveyor’s, oversees and administers the Scheme, working closely with the Culture Team.
The Panel will assess annual applications and make recommendations to the CHL Committee, playing a pivotal role in enriching the City’s cultural landscape and bringing greater visibility to the City’s remarkable heritage and stories.
The Panel’s membership structure includes a Chair (Senior Heritage Estate Officer) and Deputy Chair (Culture Team officer), with CHL Member representation alongside City Corporation officers and external members subject matter experts spanning history, culture, heritage, planning and Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI), totalling eight members.
Our successful candidates will:
- Review validated blue plaque applications against the published eligibility and selection criteria.
- Provide expert advice and challenge in Panel discussions.
- Provide balanced, evidence-based recommendations for approval, rejection, and CoL funding to the Committee for decision.
- Ensure decisions reflect the City Corporation’s commitment to equity, diversity, historical accuracy, and public interest.
- Consider applications involving contested heritage using the agreed guidance.
- Support transparency by helping shape constructive feedback to applicants.
- Report on equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion in relation to the conduct of the Scheme.
- Provide suggestions regarding the long-term sustainability and public engagement of the City of London Blue Plaques Scheme.
- Demonstrate a commitment to fairness, rigour, and public accountability.
- Adhere to the Panel’s Terms of Reference (to be shared with shortlisted candidates) including requirements on professional conduct and integrity; declaration and management of conflicts of interest; confidentiality; and publication of Panel membership.
- Attend at least two Panel meetings per year (scheduled to align with the annual application cycle).
- Read papers in advance and contribute informed views.
Learn more about the Scheme and existing plaques here: City of London Blue Plaques - City of London
Term & Time Commitment
- Term: Four years, renewable once (maximum eight years).
- Meetings: Minimum two per year, either in-person at the Guildhall or online, during working hours, with additional meetings if required.
- Time commitment: Attendance of at least two meetings, with a duration of 1.5-2 hours each, plus preparation time to review applications ahead of meetings. You will need to work flexibly around your regular working pattern.
- Internal applicants should agree support from their line managers in advance.
- Remuneration: This is a voluntary role.
Application
Applicants are invited to apply for one primary expertise stream (and may indicate a secondary stream if relevant):
1. City of London History and Heritage (Two appointments internal/external)
- Demonstrable expertise in the history and heritage of the City of London.
- Strong knowledge of people, institutions, buildings, infrastructures and events connected to the City of London.
- Ability to critically assess historical significance and strength of nominations.
- Ability to assess representation and contested heritage sensitively and rigorously.
2. Culture, Arts & Public Interpretation (One appointment internal/external)
- Demonstrable experience in public‑facing heritage, cultural context and storytelling or interpretation.
- Ability to assess clarity, communicability, impact and public interest of proposals across all fields of contribution.
- Understanding of how heritage narratives are communicated to diverse audiences.
3. Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusive Practice (EEDI) (One appointment internal)
- Demonstrable experience advancing equity and inclusion within heritage, culture or history.
- Ability to assess representation and contested heritage sensitively and rigorously.
- Ability to ensure that all nominations are assessed equitably with an awareness of how historical and structural bias may shape evidence and recognition of significance.
- Understanding of ethical and equitable decision‑making and public trust in assessment processes.
- Sensitivity to non-traditional forms of impact.
Note: These are expertise streams. All Panel members are expected to consider applications holistically against the agreed criteria and assess nominations across many fields and backgrounds. Familiarity with listed buildings, and/or Listed Building Consent processes and considerations around appropriateness of location is desirable but not essential.
How to Apply
If you are interested, please provide a CV (two-page max.) and a one‑page statement covering the following questions :
- Which expert stream you are applying for (primary; secondary optional).
- Why you are interested in joining the Blue Plaques Panel.
- Relevant experience and expertise, explaining what you could bring to the role.
- Your approach to balanced, evidence‑based decision‑making.
- Confirmation of availability and commitment.
- Any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
Closing date: 23:59pm on 14 June 2026
Informal interviews for shortlisted applications: between 6 and 17 July 2026
Start date: September 2026, with first review of applications in Spring 2027
Selection Process
- EOIs will be scored against a consistent framework.
- We anticipate inviting up to three shortlisted candidates per stream to a 30 min discussion.
- Appointments will be made based on overall merit, balance of expertise and the Panel’s requirements.
