BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS TRUST: TRUSTEE OPPORTUNITY

Summary of the Role

We are seeking Trustees to join the Board of Museums Trust. As a candidate for this position you will ideally have board level experience and you are an astute individual with the ability to make sound judgment and critical appraisal. To stand out, you will be able to demonstrate these attributes through a successful track record in managing significant operations. We are particularly keen to benefit from your knowledge and experience of one or more of the following qualities: • working with charitable trusts • familiarity with regeneration and development of historic buildings • strategic partnerships • fundraising • an interest in Birmingham’s heritage • specialist expertise in tourism and hospitality, media, retail, catering or events, the civic museums sector • a passion for museums.

The role of Trustee provides you with the opportunity to work alongside members of the senior management team to provide leadership and direction, ensuring the decisions taken by the Board are in the best interests of the trust, from both commercial and strategic perspectives. You will also help to shape our business strategy and to drive forward our performance.

The position is a voluntary one, however all reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Board meets four to five times a year at sites within the museum’s property portfolio.

Background

Birmingham Museums Trust was set up as a charity in 2012 in order to manage Birmingham’s museum collection and venues on behalf of . Our two main sources of public funding are Birmingham City Council and Arts Council . We generate over 60% of our income from a range of other sources: admission fees, membership subscriptions, donations, trading income, sponsorship and grants.

The Trust is successful on many fronts. Our visitor numbers are growing – up 24% last year to 1.2 m. Our audiences are becoming more diverse. Our trading company’s performance is improving year on year, yielding a return of 25% on turnover of over £2 million. We have secured several major grants, and we have forged important new partnerships. We are on track to achieve or exceed most of the targets in our Business Plan for 2014-19. We are developing proposals for the redevelopment of the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery site.

However, public funding is declining and over the period of the Trust’s existence the proportion of income it represents has reduced from around 50% to around 30%. Further reductions are probable in future. We need to examine the options for a new business model that accommodates reducing public funding. Maximising income generation forms a key element of the group’s strategy.

The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees, and its commercial activities are the responsibility of a wholly-owned subsidiary company, Birmingham Museums Trading Limited

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governed by its own separate Board. The Trading Board currently meets every two months and reports on performance to the main Board of Trustees. The Trust, on the advice of the Senior Management Team, has clear strategic priorities for growing revenues and improving profit as set out in its draft strategic plan.

Role Profile for Trustee for Birmingham Museums Trust

Key functions:

1. To work with the Chair, the Director of the museum and other Trustees on strategic and business plans 2. To ensure the Trust establishes key objectives to deliver the agreed plans, identifies and assesses the risk of achieving them and regularly monitors performance to ensure appropriate corrective action can be taken, if necessary, in a timely manner; 3. To ensure the Trust remains financially sustainable; 4. To use professional and personal knowledge, experience and relationships constructively to inform and challenge the Trust’s strategies and plans; 5. To represent the Trust appropriately with national, regional or local bodies or individuals, to enhance the position of the Trust; 6. To lead or participate in relevant sub-committees or task groups if required; 7. To ensure the Trust complies with all relevant laws, regulation and guidance, and maintains high standards of corporate governance; 8. To ensure that robust and comprehensive controls and information systems are in place to provide reliable and timely information to the Board.

In carrying out these functions, the Trustee will also: a. Act with integrity, complying fully with the seven principles of public life (see appendix); b. Be supportive of the aims of the Trust and its subsidiaries and keep informed as far as is reasonable of relevant developments in the sector; c. Ensure the Trust operates in accordance with its objects as set out in its Articles; d. Ensure the Board acts at all times in the best interest of the Trust and its beneficiaries.

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Person Specification for Trustee for Birmingham Museums Trading Ltd

Key skills: • Able to operate at strategic level, bringing personal relevant experience to the agenda in an appropriate way, and not getting involved in operational detail; • Excellent communication and inter-personal skills; • Able to operate as part of a team; • Able and willing to spend time on Board meetings, including preparation, attendance and follow up as necessary; • Able and willing to spend time on sub-committee or task group meetings if required, including preparation, attendance and follow up as necessary; • Able and willing to spend a reasonable amount of time at Trust-related events as requested; • Able and willing to attend relevant briefings and training sessions as required; • Bring at least one of the specific skill sets identified by the Trust: • A passion for museums; • Commitment to abide by the company’s policies, including those on confidentiality, health and safety, equal opportunities and safeguarding. • Previous experience as a Trustee (preferable, but not essential).

Expressions of Interest

If you are interested in this opportunity you are welcome to contact Professor Ian Grosvenor, Interim Chair of Birmingham Museums Trust via Sandra Starkey, email [email protected] to arrange an informal discussion.

To confirm your expression of interest please provide the following: 1) A copy of your CV, including your current postal and preferred email address and contact telephone (mobile and home) number(s). 2) A concise covering letter outlining how your experience matches the requirements for this position and why you are interested in joining the Board of Birmingham Museums Trust.

Please then email the above information for the attention of Judith Wilson, Company Secretary, care of [email protected].

If you are unable to apply by email, you may send your application by post to:

Judith Wilson Company Secretary Birmingham Museums Trust Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3DH.

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APPENDIX

Seven Principles of Public Life

These were established by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by Lord Nolan, and published in the First Report of the Committee in 1995.

Selflessness Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.

Integrity Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.

Objectivity In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

Accountability Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Openness Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

Honesty Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

Leadership Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

These principles apply to all aspects of public life. They are set out here for the benefit of all who serve the public in any way.

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