Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in joining the Museum of London Board of Governors.
The Museum of London tells the story of the world's greatest city and its people, from prehistoric times to the present day and is enjoyed by Londoners as well as UK and international visitors. It has the largest collection of urban objects and the largest archaeological archive in the world and engages with an impressive 140,000 school children every year.
The next few years will be an extraordinary time, as the Museum will maintain two vibrant sites and undertake the biggest project in its history, creating a New Museum in West Smithfield. It promises to be a jewel in London’s crown, with ambitions to attract over two million visitors and reach every London school child, and it will be at the core of the new transport hub in Farringdon.
The Museum is a key part of my Culture Strategy engaging with Londoners, schoolchildren and visitors who want to learn more about our great city. Appointing new Governors is very important to the future success of the Museum. We are looking for committed and talented people, who can help us shape a Museum for the future. I also want to make sure that the Board is representative of the diversity of London itself.
If you have the skills, passion and energy to be part of this exciting next stage in the Museum’s journey, I hope you will consider joining the Board of Governors.
Yours sincerely,
Sadiq Khan Mayor of London
Introduction to the Museum
Who we are: The Museum of London tells the story of the capital from its first settlers to modern times. We have sites in central London, Docklands and in Hackney.
Vision: We Are London. Our ambition is that we aspire to be London, reflecting this unique place and inspiring people – Londoners and visitors - to connect with it. This is effected through increasing public awareness, appreciation and understanding of London’s cultural heritage, its people and its stories.
The Museum of London is sponsored jointly by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the City of London Corporation (COLC). The GLA took over joint responsibility for the Museum from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in April 2008 through the 2007 GLA Act.
The Museum is funded by the Arts Council England (ACE) as a National Portfolio Organisation. The ACE programme called Curating London runs until 2023 and has the aim of transforming how we engage with the enormous diversity of ideas and people in London. Additionally the Museum delivers a regional Museum Development Service across London for ACE.
The Museum is recognised as one of the world’s foremost city museums, we hold approximately seven million items. Our collections represent objects from everyday life to great moments in world history.
Status The Charities Act 2006 provisions regarding exempt charities came into force on 1 June 2010 resulting in a change to the Museum’s charitable status. The Museum is a registered charity and fully registered with the Charity Commission. The Museum holds accredited status under the Arts Council England (ACE) Accreditation Scheme by meeting nationally agreed standards for museums in the UK.
Background The Museum of London was established following the merger of the Guildhall Museum and the London Museum in 1965, and is the world’s largest urban history museum. The Museum of London Acts of 1965 and 1986 define its scope of responsibilities and activities, which include caring for and making accessible a collection of over two million historic objects which tell the story of one of the world’s greatest cities and its people.
In 2003, the Museum of London launched the Museum of London Docklands in a Grade One listed warehouse, in the heart of Canary Wharf, the first new museum to open in London in 40 years. The Museum of London Docklands displays the Port and River collection and explores the story of London’s river, port and people.
The Museum of London and Museum of London Docklands amalgamated on 1 April 2009 to become a single legal entity.
Museum of London - Introduction page 1 of 2 In 2010 the Museum of London launched its £20 million Galleries of Modern London at London Wall, enabling the Museum to expand access to its collections and present itself as a dynamic, relevant cultural forum for the 21st century. In 2015 the Museum announced its intention to relocate to a new home at West Smithfield, Farringdon, in the historic General and Poultry market buildings.
In November 2011 Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) was established as an independent charity having previously been a part of the Museum. Close co-operation remains between the two organisations through a Memorandum of Understanding.
Sites: Museum of London, London Wall Our galleries based at the Museum of London in central London vividly tell the story of the city and its people. We receive over a million visitors each year and hold the largest archaeological archive in Europe. We care for more than two million objects in our collections.
Museum of London Docklands Our port and river collection is displayed at the Museum of London Docklands in a 200-year-old warehouse located close to the river Thames. From Roman settlement to the development of Canary Wharf, the long history of the capital as a port is revealed through stories of trade, migration and commerce.
The Museum of London Archaeological Archive & Centre for Human Bioarchaeology The Archaeological Archive based at Mortimer Wheeler House in Shoreditch, Hackney, holds information on excavations in London over the last hundred years. It is the largest of its kind in the world, storing records for more than 8,500 excavations and over five million artefacts. The Centre for Human Bioarchaeology is a specialist part of the Archaeological Archive, curating and researching over 20,000 archaeologically derived human skeletal remains (excavated in advance of construction or development work in the City and Greater London area).
New Museum (name tbc), West Smithfield We are currently in the process of creating a new museum in West Smithfield, Farringdon. Our new galleries in the historic General Market and Poultry Market will tell the story of London and Londoners in exciting new ways, display many more objects from our rich collection, welcome over two million people a year, and redefine what it is to be a museum in the 21st century. We appointed an architectural Design Team – Stanton Williams & Asif Khan – in 2016 following an international competition. Our plans to relocate from the London Wall site was announced in 2015.
The investment that the New Museum of London represents is substantive, making it one of the largest single cultural projects in the UK. Funding comes from three sources; The City of London Corporation, the Mayor of London and from the Museum’s own fundraising. The Museum’s fundraising target is £70m of which £26m has been achieved to date (ahead of schedule). 14% of the total funding requirement remains to be secured by the Museum.
This project is part of Culture Mile, a partnership initiative launched in 2017 by the City of London Corporation together with the Barbican Centre, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of London.
Museum of London - Introduction page 2 of 2
Role Description
Role Governor Salary Unremunerated. The role of a Governor on the Board of the Museum of London does not attract a salary or other remuneration, but reasonable travel or other related expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the Museum of London’s Expenses Policy. Hours The expected time commitment is 2-3 days per month. This includes attendance at Board meetings (4 per annum, c. 2.5hrs each), Board dinners (3-4 per annum), additional Board subcommittees where each Governor sits on at least one subcommittee, maximum two (on average meeting quarterly, c. 1.5hrs each); attendance at Museum exhibition openings, preview breakfasts and similar stakeholder events; ad hoc support and advice to the Museum Executive Team particularly. Location Central London Duration 4 Year term Constitution There are 18 governors of the Museum of London (of which, nine are appointed by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and nine by the City of London Corporation). This appointment is by the Greater London Authority. The Board of Governors is the strategic decision making body of the museum, governors are responsible for overseeing the management and accountability of the museum. Overall role purpose To provide input at a strategic level To provide a high level of expertise To bring additional skills and expertise To ensure good governance To provide positive critical advice to the Museum Executive To act collectively as part of a team To actively contribute to achieving the Museum’s strategic objectives and 5 Year goals. To be an advocate of the Museum To enable new access to wider networks and communities To ensure the Museum’s social and academic purpose is achieved To foster commerciality and creativity of the organisation
Museum of London – Role Description page 1 of 2 Duty The primary duty of the Board of Governors is to exercise the powers conferred on them by Act of Parliament in accordance with the Museum's objectives, using the collections it holds in trust. (Section 2 - Museum of London Act 1986). Other sections of the two Acts and the GLA Act 2007 give the Board of Governors powers to carry out these duties, and the Greater London Authority, the City of London Corporation and Historic England powers to support them financially. (Note: The Historic England reference relates to archaeological research and services and these powers are not currently exercised). Responsibility Governors have a corporate responsibility for ensuring that the Museum of London fulfils the aim and objectives set out in legislation and governing documents and that it complies with any statutory or administrative requirements for the use of public funds. Governors must also ensure that the Board operates within the limits of its statutory authority; and in accordance with any other conditions relating to the use of public funds.
The Board of Governors: - sets the Museum of London’s objectives and targets and agrees them with the Greater London Authority and the City of London Corporation through the Funding Agreement process. - monitors the Museum’s performance against the agreed objectives and targets. - ensures that high standards of corporate governance are observed at all times and that it acts as a guardian of public interest when agreeing the strategic direction of the Museum. - ensures that responsibility for management of the assets, collections and documentation, buildings, plant and money is clearly laid down and undertaken effectively. - advises the Chair and Museum Director as appropriate and in reaching decisions, takes into account relevant guidance issued by the Charity Commission, the City of London Corporation and the Greater London Authority. Key result areas Standards and efficiency . Observe the highest standards of integrity and objectivity in relation to stewardship of public funds and management of the museum . Comply with all reasonable requests for information from the City of London Corporation and the Greater London Authority, users of services and individual citizens, in line with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act . Be accountable to the City of London Corporation and the Greater London Authority, users of services, individual citizens and staff for the activities of the Museum, their stewardship of public funds, and the extent to which key performance targets and objectives have been met . Maximise value for money through ensuring that services are delivered in the most efficient and economical way, within available resources.
Museum of London – Role Description page 2 of 2 Candidate Specification Museum Governors appointed by the Greater London Authority (GLA) As at August 2018
The Museum of London seeks to recruit four Governors who will be appointed by the Mayor of London to join its high-performing Board in autumn 2018. We are seeking engaged, energetic and committed people to contribute at a strategic level as a Board Member.
On the Museum’s Board of Governors, 9 members are appointed by the Mayor of London and 9 by the City of London Corporation. Members will actively engage with and on behalf of the Museum of London being advocates for our work. They will contribute time, and energy in ensuring that the Strategic Plan is shaped and delivered to achieve bold ambitions on behalf of London.
People will be joining the Museum’s Board at an important point and will see the organisation through one of its most expansive and ambitious times in our own history as we develop and open a New Museum for London on the site we are developing in West Smithfield. The Mayor is investing £70m in the project, the largest investment of any mayor. The scale and scope of this project requires innovative and creative thinking from Board members, an appetite for achievement, a willingness to challenge positively, and an aptitude to support and work with the Museum Executive and other Board members.
Board members are required to participate in a variety of Sub-committees, which include; Audit & Risk Management, Trust Fund Management & Acquisitions, Finance & General Purposes, the New Museum Project Board and The Museum of London Trading Board.
London’s diversity is its biggest asset and the Mayor strives to reflect London’s diversity in all board appointments. The aim is that the Museum of London Mayoral appointments reflect London’s diversity so we welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability
Through this recruitment the Mayor and the Museum wish to ensure the Board has diverse skills, expertise and backgrounds, particularly we seek individuals who bring expertise in the following areas; Communications, Digital, Education, Commerce.
Communications The Museum needs to succeed in a highly competitive market. It needs to increase brand awareness and market-share by marketing itself as a visitor attraction and creating a compelling narrative that engages both Londoners and tourists. We aim to retain our position at a difficult time in the market. During the next five years we will be reviewing our Brand to create a strong proposition, we a strong public relations campaign in anticipation of the New Museum and we need to focus on attracting visitors to our existing two sites (i.e. London Wall and Docklands). We aim to build repeat visitation converting people into both members and donors through marketing, particularly CRM. We seek to attract all London and build life-long relationships.
We seek an individual who has experience in consumer communications, public relations or marketing and/or brand. The individual will have worked at a strategic level, relevant experience might include tourism, retail, culture or consultancy. Experience of challenger brands and the youth market could be very useful.
Museum of London - Candidate Specification (GLA-appointed Governors) page 1 of 2
Digital The Museum recognises that success will be determined upon the intelligent deployment and use of digital technologies. There is an opportunity to establish the New Museum as being digitally driven and an exemplar of a Smart organisation.
We are digitally savvy, and have strong back of house skills in areas such as Curatorial however, the need to create a fundamentally transformative digital strategy in anticipation of the New Museum is an imperative. From back of house systems to the use of digital technologies that bring history to life, our requirements are broad and as are our assets.
We seek an individual who has changed organisations through the use of digital technologies, one who can bring a broad external view of this dynamic sector and who can provide strategic input. Individuals may come from a wide range of sectors; consumer, cultural, libraries/archives, the gaming industry or more traditionally IT. Their ability to help the Museum make wise impactful choices and to use digital technologies to enhance our offer will be important.
Education The Museum has an educational agenda and leads the sector in some key areas such as Under 5’s or Special Educational Needs. Over 10% of all visitors are school children. The role of the Museum in a person’s cultural life is important and we recognise that through our schools work we have the ability to engage with all parts of society, including those people who may not consider visiting museums at all.
We take a leadership role with a number of educational and learning initiatives in London working with the Corporation of London, the Greater London Authority and others.
We seek an individual who can provide technical expertise at Board level, coming from the schools or other formal learning sector. They will help shape the strategy for the next five years and significantly be involved in the Learning approach in the New Museum. They will be aware of the importance of cultural learning activities and the value of history.
Commerce Commercial activity is embedded in many activities across the Museum, and technically managed through our trading company. We are strong in the areas of B2B such as our events business. Exhibitions play an important role in generating income and visitation. Whilst we are predominantly funded by grant in aid from the City of London Corporation and the Greater London Authority (GLA), generating our own income is a necessity.
During the next five years’ we need to make the most of the opportunities of being a visitor attraction, and we need to gear up for the New Museum. The Business Plan for the New Museum will be honed and refined during the next five years and the vision for a first-class commercial offer at the new site will need to be implemented.
We seek an individual who has commercial experience, it could be in the area of food & beverage, or retail, it could be from the visitor experience sector or from brand development. Someone who can bring a wide range of external input, who has an understanding of future developments in retail/catering etc. Importantly the person should understand the opportunity that exists within the Museum of London as it moves to a new location and be willing to help shape that commercial future. This person will be willing to be Chairperson of the Trading Board and a member of the New Museum Project Board.
Museum of London - Candidate Specification (GLA-appointed Governors) page 2 of 2