Department for Culture Media and Sport

national gallery

Time Commitment
There are ten Board meetings a year (currently under review).  Trustees may also be asked to serve on Committees of the Board, meeting generally no more than 4 times a year, though specific projects may require greater frequency.  Additional time will be required to study papers, attend events at the Gallery and other engagements representing the Gallery.

Location of Meetings
Central London

Remuneration
Not remunerated. Reasonable travel expenses will be refunded.

Term of Appointment
The appointment will be for four years.

Closing Date
The closing date for applications is noon on Wednesday 28 May 2008.

Background
The National Gallery is governed by the Museums and Galleries Act 1992, under which it has charitable status but is exempt from the need to register with the Charity Commission.  It is a Non-Departmental Public Body, sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and is governed by a Board of Trustees.

The Gallery is home to a collection of Western European paintings spanning the 13th to the 20th centuries.  The Gallery's strategic aims include caring for the Collection; acquiring great pictures for the Collection, to enhance it for future generations; providing  access to as much of the Collection as possible and encouraging high quality research and publication.  The Collection belongs to the people of the United Kingdom.  It is open to all, free of charge.

The Role
The role of the Trustees includes responsibility for the Gallery’s statutory functions; the provision of overall leadership and development of policy and strategy for the Gallery; it ensures that high standards of corporate governance are maintained and that the Gallery has effective control systems, decision making processes and management.  The Board complements the executive by providing support and advice while also, where necessary, challenging the status quo.

At any time, the Board appoints one of its members to take on the additional responsibility of sitting as a member of the Board of the Tate Gallery. A Trustee agreeing to take on this additional role would be made aware of the additional time commitment which this would involve.

The People
The Gallery seeks candidates who have:

  • A love of paintings and  a commitment to the objectives and work of the Gallery
  • An understanding of the importance to the Gallery of fundraising and a commitment to support such activity
  • The ability  to commit sufficient time to the role
  • Excellent judgment and the ability to deal with strategic issues affecting the Gallery
  • Good communication skills and the ability to represent the Gallery in the public realm
  • The ability to work with other Trustees and senior management of the Gallery
    In addition, candidates for this vacancy would ideally have experience in the field of Communications (which could include media and new technology, public relations or  outreach) and be able to advise the Board on new strategies for developing the profile of the Gallery.

Supporting Information
The appointment is expected to be made with effect from 11 August 2008.  The Board consists of 12 to 14 Trustees, one of whom is appointed by the Tate Gallery Board and all others by the Prime Minister.

The National Gallery and DCMS aspire to diversity in public appointments and operate an equal opportunities policy.  Appointments are made on merit and are regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Further information on the Gallery can be found on its website at http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/default.htm

Current Trustees of the National Gallery
Mr Peter Scott QC (Chairman, retiring 10 August 2008)
Mr Simon Burke
Prof David Ekserdjian
Mr James Fenton
Mr Mark Getty
Lady Heseltine
Prof Dame Julia Higgins
Mr Michael Hintze
Lord Kerr of Kinlochard
Prof Mervyn King
Patricia Lankester
Mr John Lessore
Lady Normanby
Mr Ranjit Sondhi

To apply
For more information including how to apply please refer to the website of the Gallery’s employment agency advisers, Saxton Bampfylde Hever Ltd, at WWW.SAXBAM.COM/JOBS using reference ANTC. Alternatively email ANTC@SAXBAM.COM or telephone+44(0)1483 409 713 (during office hours) before Wednesday 21 May 2008.
 
Closing Date
The closing date for applications is noon on Wednesday 28 May 2008.
It is intended that interviews will be held in London on Wednesday 18 June 2008.

 

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