Volunteer Chair of the Board of Trustees

What will you be doing?

We are looking for an independent Chair to lead the Turner’s House Trust Board to ensure its effective governance and to work in partnership with the Museum Director to successfully deliver our vision. Turner’s House is the only surviving building designed and lived in by the great landscape painter J.M.W. Turner. The house is an elegant Regency period property restored to its original appearance and open for all to enjoy. We are looking for a Chair with a passion for art and heritage, the impact it can make on our communities and a vision for ensuring the long term financial viability of the House.   Turner’s House Trust is the registered charity responsible for Sandycombe Lodge, the house which J. M. W. Turner built in Twickenham in the early 19th century, and in which he lived with his father.  Following an extensive conservation and restoration project, the House opened to the public in 2017 and it is now one of the leading small cultural attractions in South West London. We aim to celebrate J.M.W. Turner’s artistic achievement through encouraging visitors to discover the house he designed and built, and the Thames landscape which inspired him. Our visitors tell us that the experience of visiting the House helps them to build a deeper engagement with Turner as an artist.  In addition to the 28,000 visitors we have welcomed since opening, we have an active learning programme with local schools and a well-being programme with partners such as Richmond MIND and AGE UK, reaching out to support isolated and disadvantaged groups in the local area and making the House an invaluable resource for the whole community.    

What are we looking for?

Principal responsibilities of the Chair  

Provide strategic leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring it sets a clear vision and strategy, monitoring and supporting the strategic implementation and ensuring that Trustees fulfil their responsibilities and operate within its charitable objectives Ensure that systems are in place to evaluate, manage and mitigate the risks the charity faces Ensure that the Board maintains the sound financial health of the charity, with appropriate financial accountability Lead and encourage our plans to establish partnerships with other organisations and obtain funds and sponsorship to secure the long term future of the House Ensure that the governance arrangements are effective and develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees  Ensure the Board has the necessary skills, capability and commitment to provide the appropriate governance Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for Turner’s House, and represent the charity at external functions, meetings and events Work collaboratively with the part-time Museum Director, setting their objectives and monitoring their performance

Personal Qualities

A strong commitment to Turner’s House Trust and its objectives  Excellent leadership skills  An entrepreneurial spirit Being comfortable in an ambassadorial role in public Tact, diplomacy and powers of persuasion, able to listen and engage effectively Strong networking capabilities  Willing to go the extra mile in committing time to the charity. 

Experience

Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level, with strong commercial experience Active interest in, knowledge of, and understanding of, the cultural and heritage sector Successful track record of achievement and making a difference through his or her career Experience of charity governance and working as part of a Board of Trustees Experience of external representation and managing stakeholders Significant experience of chairing meetings and events Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of fundraising and charity finance issues.

What difference will you make?

Since opening to the public in July 2017, Turner’s House has attracted over 28,000 paying visitors, has run a series of exhibitions of Turner’s works which have had great acclaim as well as providing an ambitious learning programme reaching out to local schools and the wider community.  We are looking for a Chair who can secure the future of the House by leading us on our journey towards long-term sustainability.  This will involve strategic leadership on matters including volunteer engagement, fundraising, finance and the role of the House in the community. Turner’s House is a small gem which occupies a distinctive place on London’s cultural map. The role of Chair offers the opportunity to play a leading role in enhancing the life of the local community and to celebrate the outstanding artistic achievement of J. M. W. Turner.  In return for your commitment, you can be assured of a personal sense of satisfaction and of the support and encouragement of the skilled and committed Board of Trustees, the professional staff of the House and the enthusiastic volunteer team, who will all be excited to welcome you to the helm.  We will provide a tailored induction.