Trestle Theatre Company Trustee

Trestle Theatre Company is a mask and physical theatre company that has been delivering education workshops and training since 1981. Our mission is to inspire creativity through participation and dialogue and our ever-engaging masks.

Off the back of celebrating our 40th Birthday in 2021 and with some exciting projects on the horizon, we are looking for passionate individuals who are committed to developing the company and supporting the staff to meet the company’s objectives in this next stage of its development. As two of our current Trustees come to the end of their term this year we are looking to appoint two new Board members including someone who is interested in joining us as Chair.

Trestle is committed to its Board being representative of the communities we work with. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage interest from people of the global majority, those with lived experience of disability and those under 25, as these are currently underrepresented on our Board. If you need this information in any other format or would like an informal conversation about the role please contact Clare Winter or Helen Barnett directly on 01727 850950

Role Description
General responsibilities

• To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• To ensure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document.
• To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives.
• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees' role in supporting the strategic direction of the organisation, helping to shape overall policy and assist Senior Management in defining goals, setting and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
• To ensure the management team administer the organisation effectively and efficiently.
• To ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
• To ensure that the charity’s property is managed efficiently and effectively by the management team.
• To appoint and support the Executive Director and Creative Director and monitor their performance.

In addition to the above statutory duties, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. To ensure all aspects of the company are well regulated and considered we have a Trustee lead for the following areas as well as having an appointed Chair and Vice Chair. All trustees take responsibility for risk management.

• Safeguarding
• Finances
• Artistic Output
• Equality and Diversity
• Environmental Responsibility
• Development

Each lead will be expected to contribute to discussions on new initiatives, participate in subcommittees and or working groups and scrutinise board papers. Each Trustee is asked to focus on one or two areas in which they have expertise and to both represent these functions within the Board of Trustees and be the main ‘port of call’ for management seeking advice in these areas. Currently, we are particularly looking for Trustees to take on the following roles.

Finance Lead
Environmental Lead
Chair

Person specification

• Commitment to the organisation and willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to be able to contribute effectively to the organisation’s work
• Strategic vision in decision-making, to assist the organisation in achieving a high-profile national position on the cultural sector.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment
• Ability to think creatively
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Tact and diplomacy
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences

It would be desirable for a trustee to have knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation and wider involvement with the subsidised theatre sector, voluntary and charity sector and/or other relevant networks. We are looking for passionate people with a commitment to the organisation so it is not essential that trustees have prior experience in sitting on a Board of Trustees unless applying for the role of Chair. All new Trustees will be fully inducted and we are happy to provide training and mentorship where necessary.

About the Board and How to Apply
Board meetings are held quarterly plus an annual away day and Trustees are expected to read all Board papers prior to attending a meeting. Currently, meetings are taking place on Zoom but usually occur at Trestle Arts Base, St Albans. Each Board member serves a term of 3 years, at the end of which they can stand for re-election to a further term of 3 years.

Please note that this is a voluntary role, we do not pay trustees to serve on the Board however, expenses reasonably incurred in connection with their duties can be reimbursed where necessary.

How To Apply
To apply please send an outline of your current work / relevant experience (or a professional CV) and a brief note about your interest in joining Trestle Theatre Company as a trustee along with the Equality and Diversity form. These can be accessed online via the website link.

Please email this to rhian@trestle.org.uk with Trustee in the subject line by the 31st May 2022.

For more information visit https://www.trestle.org.uk/opportunities