Cyfarthfa Foundation Appointment Brief Appointment of Trustees

Cyfarthfa Foundation Appointment brief Appointment of Trustees

May 2021 Reference: EAPAHA SB

An introduction

Background

The Cyfarthfa Foundation is a new company established to realise a 20-year vision for Cyfarthfa Castle and Park at Merthyr Tydfil – a site that has been described as the ‘crucible of the industrial revolution’.

The vision – The Cyfarthfa Plan – has been set out in an extensive masterplan produced by a team of internationally-renowned consultants led by Ian Ritchie Architects and landscape architects, Gustafson, Porter and Bowman. The process has also benefitted from the expert input of the Design Commission for Wales.

The plan envisages the transformation of the castle and park into a museum and art gallery of national significance set in an enlarged 100-hectare park. The land also encompasses the 260-year-old Cyfarthfa furnaces, once part of the largest iron making complex in the world.

The plan is built around the three themes of history and heritage, the natural environment and fostering creativity and social renewal. The enlarged park will encompass the confluence of the Taff and Taf Fechan rivers, and be the second largest public park in Wales. The restoration of the environment will, thus, be a major theme.

The Foundation will aspire to international quality in all things including an exemplary approach to community engagement.

The historic assets and park are currently owned by Merthyr Tydfil Council and operated by the Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust, but it has been agreed that the ownership and operation of these assets will be transferred to the Foundation, a company limited by guarantee that is currently seeking charitable status.

The Welsh Government has already agreed to fund the development phase of the project since it is seen as the pivotal project in the proposed Valleys Regional Park.

CYFARTHFA FOUNDATION | TRUSTEES SB

The Foundation’s Board

The creation of an independent charity is the only practical way to assemble the necessary funding – from governmental, national lottery, business, and charitable sources. The Foundation will establish an organisation whose sole focus will be the development of Cyfarthfa and other heritage assets in Merthyr to maximise the benefits for the community and the nation – economic, educational, social, environmental and cultural.

It is intended that the board of the Foundation will comprise 12 people. There are currently five founding directors – three independent members, including the independent Chair, plus two members of the Cabinet of Merthyr Tydfil Council.

The remaining seven will be appointed by an open process. In addition to community representation it is intended to recruit people with recognised high-level expertise in the following fields:

• urban planning and architecture • landscape planning • heritage, • museum curation and educational purposes • tourism; • community development • sustainability; and • financial management.

In addition to a diversity of skills the board’s membership will be expected to demonstrate diversity in gender and ethnicity.

The Foundation is, therefore, seeking applications from people with the knowledge and experience of best practice in the development of major visitor attractions that can both celebrate the past and be a

CYFARTHFA FOUNDATION | TRUSTEES SB

springboard for economic, social, environmental and cultural development in an historically disadvantaged community.

The five founding directors are:

Geraint Talfan Davies (Chair)

Author of the initial Crucible Report, former Controller of BBC Wales and former Chair of Welsh National Opera and the Arts Council of Wales. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the RIBA.

Rowland Davies

A lawyer and property specialist, and former partner with Geldards LLP, he has considerable experience of projects of this scale, having advised the founders of the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

Helen Protheroe

Director of Development and Alumni Relations at The Royal College of Art, overseeing the college’s global charitable and alumni external relations activity. Helen, originally from Merthyr Tydfil, has also undertaken executive roles for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the Wales Millennium Centre, The Homeless World Cup (Wales), Royal Opera House and the Design Museum.

Cllr. Lisa Mytton

Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Learning. Lisa has worked for more than 20 years in post-16 education, is an Estyn Peer Inspector and School Governor of two local primary schools, including Cyfarthfa Park Primary School.

Cllr. Geraint Thomas

Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Public Protection and Councillor for the Cyfarthfa Ward. Geraint was educated at Cyfarthfa High School and Merthyr College before entering the coal industry. For the last 20 years he has worked in local businesses including providing children’s play surfaces.

CYFARTHFA FOUNDATION | TRUSTEES SB

Role description and Person Specification

The role of a Trustee is to:

• To ensure that the Cyfarthfa Foundation pursues its objectives as defined in its governance framework;

• To ensure that the charity uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives;

• To be an advocate and ambassador for the Foundation and the Cyfarthfa project, which may include support in fundraising;

• To ensure that the charity complies with its governance framework, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations;

• To work with colleagues around the Board to set the vision, values, mission, strategy and high-level policy;

• To ensure all decisions made are guided by a clear, shared understanding of the Foundation’s mission, culture and values;

• To safeguard the reputation and values of the Foundation;

• To evaluate the board's effectiveness, to set the strategy and budgets and establish the policies of the organisation;

CYFARTHFA FOUNDATION | TRUSTEES SB

• To ensure the effective and efficient administration and running of the charity in accordance with its strategy, budgets and policies;

• To ensure the financial stability and sustainability of the Foundation;

• To protect and manage the assets of the organisation and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds; and

• To appoint executive staff and support them in their role and monitor their performance.

Alongside the professional expertise sought as detailed above it is hoped candidates will bring the following general skills and experiences to the role:

• A passion for the work the project;

• Experience in and understanding of strategic planning and resource management;

• Experience of organisational governance;

• The ability to analyse and review complex issues and weigh up conflicting opinions;

• Financial acumen;

• The ability to act as an ambassador and champion for the project;

• The highest standards of integrity and honesty.

CYFARTHFA FOUNDATION | TRUSTEES SB

Terms of appointment

These are unpaid Trustee roles though reasonable expenses may be claimed.

How to apply

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Cyfarthfa Foundation on this appointment.

Candidates should apply for this role through our website at www.saxbam.com/appointments using code EAPAHA.

Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload a CV and cover letter, and complete the online equal opportunities monitoring* form.

The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 25 June 2021.

* The equal opportunities monitoring online form will not be shared with anyone involved in assessing your application. Please complete as part of the application process.

LONDON 9 Savoy Street London WC2E 7EG

EDINBURGH 46 Melville Street Edinburgh EH3 7HF saxbam.comCYFARTHFA FOUNDATION | TRUSTEES

Partners in Panorama - Search around the world panoramasearch.com SB

LONDON 9 Savoy Street London WC2E 7EG

EDINBURGH 46 Melville Street Edinburgh EH3 7HF saxbam.com

Partners in Panorama - Search around the world panoramasearch.com

CYFARTHFA FOUNDATION | TRUSTEES