Find out more about our Guardian Committees: what they do, how often they meet, and what skills and knowledge they need.
To stand for election for one of these Committees, please fill in the 2027 Guardian' Application Form and email evidence of your nominations to chief.executive@spab.org.uk by 9am on Monday 24 August 2026.
Anniversary & Advocacy Committee – two vacancies
The Anniversary & Advocacy Committee assists SPAB staff in audience engagement, communications, fundraising, and campaigns, with particular focus on the 150th anniversary celebrations taking place throughout 2027 and beyond. It supports on maximising the potential of the anniversary for promotional, educational and income-generating purposes.
Meeting frequency
The Committee meets 3-5 times a year, mostly online.
What we’re looking for
- Communications or marketing expertise: experience in public engagement, PR, digital communications, or campaigns, contributing to anniversary messaging and promotional activity
- Fundraising or income generation experience: track record of supporting or leading fundraising initiatives, sponsorship outreach, or commercial partnerships
- High-value event leadership: donor cultivation and profile-raising experience
- Membership organisation experience including strategies for member engagement, retention, and growth, and an understanding of how anniversary activity can deepen member loyalty and attract new audiences to the SPAB's community
- Legacy project development: vision and experience to help shape initiatives that endure well beyond the 150th anniversary year, ensuring that the momentum, relationships, and resources generated in 2027 translate into lasting programmes, partnerships, and impact for the organisation's future
Any questions about this Committee? Please email press@spab.org.uk.
Casework Committee – two vacancies
The Casework Committee supports staff on casework and planning matters. It deals with secular and ecclesiastical casework as well as building at risk issues, development and new design. It may also be asked to advise on planning policy and guidance and to be involved with casework campaigns.
Meeting frequency
The Committee meets nine times a year: two to three times in person, the rest online.
What we’re looking for
- Knowledge of planning policy, legislation and ecclesiastical exemption
- Knowledge and understanding of architectural styles
- Knowledge and understanding of new design in historic contexts
- Knowledge of traditional materials
- Experience in a relevant field, including architects, surveyors, structural engineers, conservation officers, and other conservation professionals
- Knowledge of renewable energy systems, especially solar and heat pumps
- We are particularly interested in candidates from the north of England and Wales
Any questions about this Committee? Please email rachel.broomfield@spab.org.uk.
Education & Training Committee – two vacancies
The Education & Training Committee supports the SPAB in developing and delivering all aspects of its education and training work, to high standards and consistent with the SPAB Approach. It is concerned with courses; other educational events, activities and materials; learning programmes such as the Scholarship for architects, surveyors, engineers and other conservation professionals, and the Fellowship for craftspeople; and educational use of the SPAB Archive. It is particularly focused on delivering educational and training activities that encompass the core messages of the SPAB strategy with its focus on outreach and engagement; sustainability; equality, diversity and inclusion; and partnership working.
Meeting frequency
The Committee meets four times a year: twice online and twice in person.
What we’re looking for
- Early career candidates to bring insight and authenticity to our work with young people
- Candidates with a background or strong interest in accessible training and outreach for craft skills, heritage or conservation education, particularly those with experience in social media and online engagement
- A champion for our 'women in conservation' and building conservation skills outreach
- Candidates with a background or strong interest in the development and promotion of building conservation career pathways
- Candidates aged 30 or under
- Candidates from backgrounds currently underrepresented in building conservation
Any questions about this Committee? Please email education@spab.org.uk.
Mills Committee – one vacancy
The Mills Committee advises the Mills Section, the UK’s national body concerned with the protection of traditional windmills and watermills. It advises on guidance, provides funding and supports mill-related events.
Meeting frequency
The Committee meets online four times a year.
What we’re looking for
- Someone who can help with mills casework
- Someone who can help with planning, organising and promoting online and in-person events
- Experience in fundraising and grant applications
Any questions about this Committee? Please email millsinfo@spab.org.uk.
SPAB Ireland Committee – two vacancies
SPAB Ireland is the newest branch of the SPAB, founded in 2017 by enthusiastic Irish Scholars and Fellows. It is an active and friendly community that aims to protect and promote the wonderful national built heritage on the whole island of Ireland. It helps host an annual lecture series, podcast series, the SPAB Ireland Working Party, and other events such as specialist conservation craft masterclasses.
Meeting frequency
The Committee meets online nine times a year.
What we’re looking for
- Experience with social media and communications
- People who can volunteer in-person at our events
- Craftspeople
- Others with a keen interest in heritage
Any questions about this Committee? Please email ireland@spab.org.uk.
SPAB Scotland Committee – three vacancies
SPAB Scotland is an active and welcoming community that aims to protect and promote the unique building traditions of Scotland. It runs events and online talks throughout the year, as well as handling casework. Thanks to funding from Historic Environment Scotland, from 2026 SPAB Scotland will run a three-year programme to deliver practical training and guidance to help those responsible for the care of Scotland's historic churches.
Meeting frequency
The Committee meets six times a year, alternating between online and in-person meetings.
What we’re looking for
- Experience with social media and communications
- Strong connections to heritage crafts organisations
- Craftspeople
Any questions about this Committee? Please email scotland@spab.org.uk.
Technical & Research Committee – two vacancies
The Technical & Research Committee (Technical Panel) helps ensure that the SPAB provides high-quality technical advice, supported by research. Its remit includes published guidance, research opportunities, the content of courses for professionals, and technical legislation and policy.
Meeting frequency
The Committee meets four to five times a year: once in-person and the rest online.
What we’re looking for
- Stone and plaster conservators
- Conservation builders
- Experience working with cathedrals
- Architects
- Planners
- Conservation officers
Any questions about this Committee? Please email technical@spab.org.uk.