Edinburgh World Heritage is looking for a new chair to replace Professor Charles McKean after six years of work.

The charity, which champions and conserves the historic environment of Edinburgh as a World Heritage Site, is also seeking trustees for its board.

The voluntary positions are being advertised to candidates with a keen interest in the architectural heritage of Edinburgh’s New and Old Towns.

Amongst their responsibilities will be to drive the organisation towards the aims outlined in a five year strategic plan launched in October and based on public consultation.

New trustees who are strong in the fields of urbanism and sustainability, conservation and human resources are being encouraged in particular, tying in with the goals set out in the plan.

The board in general is responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation and to oversee donations from the public and other bodies.

In an update on Edinburgh World Heritage’s website, Adam Wilkinson, the charity’s director, commended current chair Charles MacKean, who is a Professor of Scottish Architectural History at the University of Dundee and former chief executive to the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland.

He said: “After six years of sterling work, steering Edinburgh World Heritage through choppy waters, Professor Charles McKean is stepping down in September.

“We are all incredibly grateful to Charles for his contributions of time and expertise to the organisation, especially given the voluntary nature of role, and I must extend my personal thanks for his patient ear and gentle but firm way of steering my thinking and actions.”

All of the roles are unremunerated and the chair will be required to commit approximately five days a month. Those interested in becoming chair must send an expression of interest by 12pm on Friday, March 9. Contact Caroline Sibbald, company secretary, at Edinburgh World Heritage, 5 Bakehouse Close, 146 Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8DD, carolinesibbald@ewht.org.uk, or by calling 0131 220 7728 for an information pack.

For general trustee posts send an application form, which can be found on the Edinburgh World Heritage website, a covering letter and CV to Caroline Sibbald on the address above.

Further details on the positions can be found on the Edinburgh World Heritage website.