Culture and Heritage Capital portal

What we do

The Culture and Heritage Capital (CHC) programme, led by DCMS, is working to broaden economic analysis across the creative, culture and heritage sectors. Measuring the economic contribution of these sectors is standard practice. We want to go further, and assess their impact on welfare, sustainable growth and long-term living standards too. By highlighting the wider benefits these sectors bring to individuals and society, we can support better decision-making.

Our aim is to create a formal approach to valuing culture and heritage capital, to sit alongside other approaches for natural, human, social and financial capital. We provide sectors, practitioners and academics with the tools to undertake CHC analysis and make a stronger case for investment. This includes:

• a bank of values demonstrating the market and non-market value of CHC assets
• guidance notes for appraisal and evaluation
• a set of National Culture and Heritage Capital accounts

Having a CHC approach can:

• enable users to independently assess and value culture and heritage (with information and resources from our team) 
• reduce search costs for analysts and decision makers needing this type of analysis
• provide a platform to update tools and guidance as knowledge develops
• identify new evidence and areas for development

Our aims are consistent with HM Treasury’s Green Book principles.

For current values figures for use in social cost-benefit analysis (SCBA), see the DCMS CHC Evidence Bank.

CHC Framework

Launched in 2021, the CHC Framework sets out the need for a transformational change to assessing value for money, incorporating economic, social and cultural value into appraisals and evaluation, (following best practice guidance set out by HM Treasury’s Green Book).

You can use this framework to help articulate the impact of culture and heritage interventions. It is a developing resource that will evolve through ongoing consultation with the sector.

Collaboration

Stakeholders

DCMS is pleased to be collaborating with many of our arm’s-length bodies (ALBs) on CHC to establish an agreed economic approach for valuing our cultural heritage assets and the benefits they provide to people and businesses. 

Some of these ALBs have their own websites dedicated to Culture and Heritage Capital with specific guidance:

Many other ALBs are collaborating with us on CHC including:

• the British Film Institute (BFI)
• the British Council
• the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NHLF)
• Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

In October 2022, DCMS and the AHRC opened bids for funding in order to develop a robust and holistic approach for capturing and articulating the value of culture and heritage. Six projects have been funded as part of this research programme.

Governance

CHC Advisory Board

The CHC Programme is governed by an advisory board, connecting principal decision makers with leaders and experts from across culture and heritage organisations and academia. The Board provides strategic and technical direction to the programme, discusses the aims and objectives for the group and provides advice to help improve the sector’s ability to demonstrate its value.

The Board is chaired by Lord Neil Mendoza, Chairman of Historic England.

Full members include:

• Lord Neil Mendoza (Chair) - Chairman,Chair, Historic England
• Prof Hasan Bakhshi,Bakhshi MBE - DirectorDirector, of the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre
• Prof Ian Bateman,Bateman OBE - Professor, University of Exeter Business School
• Prof May Cassar,Cassar CBE - Founding Director, UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage
• Prof Geoffrey Crossick MBE - Professor, School of Advanced Study, University of London
• Darren Henley,Henley OBE -- Chief Chief Executive, Arts Council England
• Sir Laurie Magnus - Chair, Heritage of London Trust
• Eilish McGuinnessMcGuiness - Chief Executive, National Lottery Heritage Fund
• Prof Susana Mourato-Mourato Professor,- Professor, LSE, Department for Geography and the Environment
• RenéSaul Olivieri,Nassé CBE - ChairChief Executive and Keeper of theThe National Archives
• René Olivier - Chair, National Trust
• Jessica Pulay,Pulay CBE - Chair, Wallace Collection
• Ben Roberts - Chief Executive, British Film Institute
• Prof Christopher Smith - Executive ChairChair, of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
• Prof David Throsby,Throsby AO - Professor, Macquarie University, Department of Economics
• Duncan Wilson,Wilson CBE, OBE - Chief Executive, Historic England

Underneath the Advisory Board sits the CHC Steering Group and Working Group, with representation from across our ALBs and the culture and heritage sectors.

CHC Research Expert Group

The CHC Research Programme, run by AHRC and DCMS, is overseen by the CHC Research Expert Group (REG). 

The REG offers technical and advisory support, as well as monitoring projects to ensure they meet quality standards. Additionally, the REG ensures projects meet the programme objectives.

Members include:

• May Cassar CBE - Professor, University College London
• Geoffrey Crossick - Professor, University of London
• Douglas Noonan - Professor, IU Indianapolis
• David Stevenson - Professor, Queen Margaret University
• Dr. Catherine Eagleton - University of St Andrews
• Nicola Thomas - Professor, University of Exeter
• Alan Collins - Professor, Nottingham Trent University
• Giorgio Fazio - Research Director, Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Natural Capital Team

Contribute to research

DCMS works closely with academics and the sector to develop the CHC Framework.

However, we are keen to hear from anyone who:

• would like to contribute to/get involved with the CHC programme
• has done/is doing work that may be relevant to the CHC programme
• would like to know more about our work

If this applies to you, get in touch.

Email: chc@dcms.gov.uk.