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Hi Dakka,
I've been trying to find out more about the High Lords of Terra... checked Lex and 40k wiki, but there doesn't seem to be that much info for such an important Imperial institution and its members, imo.
Specifically, do we know how long each lord lives for? I would assume they have access to the Imperium's finest medical treatment and life-extending technologies. And especially someone like the Fabricator General - he's more machine now than man - I'd assume each Fabricator General lives for quite some time?
Also, do we know how long each individual Lord serves for? Do they serve for life, or are they elected (seems unlikely...), etc.
Any info would be appreciated.

It would be reasonable to assume that the inner workings of the High Lords of Terra have been kept deliberately obscure to maintain an element of mystery about them. In a setting concerned with warfare rather than high politics, that's probably for the best.

From memory, the Inquisitorial Representative(s) are nominated by the conclave of senior inquisitors, and serve fro fixed terms. The Paternoval Envoy is selected by the Paternova of the Navis Nobilite, and presumably serves for as long as the Paternova wishes (and is probably replaced when a new one takes office).

Given that the Ecclesiarchy's background draws so heavily on the Catholic church, it would be reasonable to assume that the Ecclesiarch is elected by (and from among) the cardinals. One might expect the Administratum (and the Adeptus Astra Telepathica) to function much like real-world bureaucracies, and to make their appointments based on rank and seniority of service.

A technocratic oligarchy like the Adeptus Mechanicus probably appoints or elects its Fabricator-General from among its most senior members. As for the Officio Assassinorum, who knows... Grand Master might be rotated among the masters of the major orders, it might be chosen by election among the senior assassins, or it might be a matter of murdering one's way into the job.

Since the Chartist Captains sound more like a professional body, one might reasonably expect their Speaker to be non-permanent and directly elected or chosen by a ruling committee. The various guard and navy positions, like their real-world OF-10 enqivalents (Field Marshals, Admirals of the Fleet, etc.) would presumably be political appointments made by the high lords themselves. This would of course mean that a powerful clique of high lords could appoint allies to these positions, and then elevate them to the council...

I know the 6th ed rulebook asctually has a good amount on these guys. Tonight when I get a chance I find those pages again.