Our Main Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of Battersea Arts Centre. Trustees support the organisation to deliver its mission, ensure it is well governed and financially sustainable, and help steward BAC through its next phase of development. The Board benefits from a wide range of perspectives and expertise, and we are particularly interested in people who can strengthen that mix in key areas. The attached paper highlights priority experience in marketing, IT and digital, festival or outdoor work to support LIFT, and individuals with heritage or visitor attraction leadership experience. It also notes interest in hearing from former LIFT trustees.

This role would suit people who are strategic, thoughtful and collaborative, and who enjoy balancing support with constructive challenge. Strong candidates may have senior experience in one of the areas above, or in a comparable field that would help BAC think boldly and sustainably about its future. We would particularly welcome people who can connect artistic ambition with organisational thinking, bring useful networks, and act as advocates for BAC’s work and values.

Finance & Audit Committee Member

BAC is also seeking people to support its Finance & Audit Group, a sub-group of the Board which helps ensure the organisation’s governance and compliance responsibilities are carried out effectively and in line with the expectations of the Charity Commission, Companies Acts and Arts Council England requirements. As set out in your existing text, members of this group attend quarterly meetings, contribute specialist advice, support key staff on issues relating to their expertise, and help strengthen BAC’s governance and decision-making.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to contribute their professional expertise in a place where it can make a real difference. It would suit a senior HR leader who understands workforce strategy, organisational culture, change, people risk and governance, or a senior finance professional with experience of charity, arts or public-interest accountability. It may also appeal to someone who is curious about governance and wants to build board-level experience in a supportive environment. This is not an appointed trustee role, but it can be a valuable route toward future trusteeship at BAC.

Enterprises Board Member

BAC is also recruiting to its Enterprises Board, which supports thinking around earned income, commercial activity and the development of BAC’s enterprise offer. The attached paper highlights three priority areas of experience for this group: senior leadership from the heritage or visitor attraction sector, café or pub hospitality experience, and strong sales expertise from a hotel, conference centre or large caterer. It also notes that a heritage or visitor attraction leader joining this board may also sit on the Main Board, reflecting the strategic crossover in this area.

This role would suit commercially minded people who understand how visitor-facing organisations grow income, build strong customer experiences and balance mission with enterprise. Ideal candidates might include senior leaders from heritage venues, hospitality operators, commercial directors, or people with a strong track record in sales, events, catering or venue-based business development. We are looking for people who can help BAC think creatively and practically about sustainability, audience experience and opportunity.

Across all of these roles, we are looking for people who want to help BAC be the best version of itself over the next few years. We do not have a fixed idea of the ideal candidate. We are interested in people who bring relevant expertise, generosity of spirit, curiosity, and a genuine interest in supporting the cultural sector.

You may be a particularly strong fit if you can offer some of the following:

• senior-level expertise in a voluntary, charity or cultural sector organisation,

• a senior HR professional with substantial expertise

• strategic thinking and the confidence to contribute to discussion and decision-making

• good judgement, integrity and a collaborative approach

• an interest in governance, accountability and organisational resilience

• enthusiasm for BAC’s mission and for the wider role of arts and culture in public life

Sara Apps, Councillor, Wandsworth Council
Chris Cabot, President, Value Retail Mgmt Ltd.
Marsha de Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea
Liz Fosbury, Chief Operating Officer, National Theatre
Ali Gannagé-Stewart, Commercial Director, Tate
Anu Giri, Executive Director, English National Ballet
Patrick Harrison, CEO, The Royal Ballet
Claudia Kenyatta, Co-Chief Executive, Historic England (Chair)
Jessica Nelson, Events Manager, Royal Parks

Finance & Audit Sub Committee

Liz Fosbury, COO, National Theatre (Chair)
Anu Giri, Executive Director, English National Ballet
Michael Dixon, Finance & Business Resource Director. Roundhouse
Francesca Valli, Strategic Change Management Consultant, Freelance

Time Commitment
Four Sub Committee meetings per year, plus advisory contact between meetings.

Remuneration
In line with charitable governance rules, we are unable to remunerate people for being Trustees or advisors, therefore this role is voluntary. However, we can support reasonable expenses and travel costs.

Access at Battersea Arts Centre

At BAC we are committed to access and inclusivity in everything we do. We aim to provide as much information about access up front, but if there’s anything not mentioned here that you want to know, please get in touch!

Our building
BAC is wheelchair accessible throughout the building. There are accessible toilets and a mix of loud and quiet spaces, including a chill out room. The nearest wheelchair accessible station is Clapham Junction and the route is 0.6 miles up a hill. There is a disabled parking bay on Theatre Street next to the building.