The Framework communicates the areas in which HEF members can add value by working together with, and on behalf of, the wider historic environment sector in England. It is used by HEF to guide where to focus its resources and activities so that, over time, HEF will deliver progress against the different areas.

Four cross-cutting principles apply to the way that collaborative action is taken:

• The historic environment belongs to everyone: our approach must be inclusive.
• The historic environment matters to people: our outcomes must deliver public benefit.
• The historic environment is green: our approach must have a positive impact on the climate emergency.
• The choice of what we do and the demonstration of the difference our actions make must be supported by good evidence so that we adopt a culture of continuous improvement.
  
  

The four themes for collaborative action are:

1. People and places, with outcomes focused on people’s future relationship with heritage.
2. Conservation and stewardship, to ensure that the benefits of historic environment reach as many people as possible, and that we live in high-quality places, now and in the future.
3. Fiscal reform and funding, to think creatively about opportunities for the future and about how the historic environment can contribute to growth and prosperity.
4. Skills and capacity, to build a refreshed, skilled, diverse workforce; and create voluntary and paid opportunities, particularly for young people.

The main mechanism through which HEF delivers its outcomes are the groups working under HEF umbrella: Task Groups and ‘Topic’ Groups.