Be a part of the Northcott’s story: Join our Board.
Welcome
Thank you for taking an interest in the opportunities for new Trustees at Exeter Northcott Theatre.
This is an exciting moment in our story. Like most public-facing cultural organisations the memory of Covid still looms large. But with audiences returning and artists re-emerging we feel that we have moved on to a new phase in our development, stimulated and challenged by participants and audiences alike.
Significantly, we are 10 months into an innovative co-leadership model with three remarkable individuals sharing the responsibility of Chief Executive, whith each taking responsibility for one of the three legs of our ambitious business plan – audiences, resources and creativity.
We have re-articulated our Vision and Mission, and have a clear view of Exeter Northcott as a focal point for creativity in the South West of England. In practical terms this is demonstrated by our return to in-house production and our commitment to work made for and by people rooted in the region whether professionally or in the community.
We undertake this work – at our theatre on the University Campus, at the Barnfield Theatre in the heart of Exeter and in the community itself – against a backdrop of excellent relationships with our major funding partners (Arts Council England, the University of Exeter and Exeter City Council).
As a charity we rely heavily on the financial support of individuals and funding bodies. But crucially we also need strong individuals to make up our Board, and provide us with inspired leadership and robust oversight. With the natural churn of such a governing body we are always in pursuit of individuals who are willing and able to support us with their time, experience and expertise.
Might that be you?
As Co-Chairs we can assure you that Exeter Northcott presents a wonderfully fulfilling environment and we invite you to join us and help us fulfil our commitment to the South West.
Becky Chapman and David Balcombe, Co-Chairs, Exeter Northcott Theatre
About Us
Each year more than 100,000 people see events at the Northcott Theatre and at the Barnfield Theatre in the city centre. Thousands more participate in our creative activities: we offer vital support for South-West theatre-makers though our artist development programme; we offer life-long creative opportunities to children as young as five all the way through to adulthood; and we work closely with communities, schools and other charities across the South West to give opportunities to people who need them most.
We are a registered charity, bringing joy and changing lives through theatre.
Northcott Stories: Find out about our work and impactThe Northcott is a vital part of Exeter’s rich cultural sector and an important part of making culture meaningful to all of our residents. Their contribution to our vibrant city centre as well as working with all communities continues, including the great work at the Barnfield. We are proud to continue to work in partnership with the Northcott in making Exeter a brilliant place to work, study and visit.
Bindu Arjoon, Chief Executive, Exeter City Council
Building on our 2022 – 2026 Business Plan, we’ve set out a new vision and mission for the Northcott. Over the next year, we’ll be working with staff and trustees to forge a new plan, designed to drive forward and maximise our impact. This is a pivotal and exciting time for the Northcott Theatre.
The Northcott team work in a collaborative and positive way. They are a crucial part of Exeter’s cultural scene and will be a good partner as we all try and do more for the residents of Exeter and those working in culture.
Laura Wright, Deputy Leader, Exeter City Council
THE OPPORTUNITY
We’re looking for individuals who share our passion for theatre and live performance, and our ambition for the role the Northcott and Barnfield theatres can play in the development of Exeter as a creative and inclusive city at the heart of a culturally thriving region. We’re seeking people who can think strategically, advocate fiercely, work collaboratively, and help us ensure that our programme and the services we offer are relevant and accessible to the diverse audiences we seek to serve.
You do not need an arts background or any particular qualifications to be a Trustee, and we are especially keen to hear from applicants who can bring knowledge or lived experience in one or more of these areas:
- Mid-scale touring
- Artists, particularly freelancers
- Fundraising and Development
- Food and beverage/Hospitality
- Commercial Trading
- Property/Capital Management
- Understanding of Exeter’s diverse communities
- Legal expertise
- Human Resources
- Strong professional networks in the South West
This is not a comprehensive list, so if you don’t see yourself reflected here but believe you can positively contribute to Northcott’s governance, please reach out to us.
We are actively committed to being a diverse Board, and therefore particularly welcome applications from people who come from global majority backgrounds, from deaf and disabled communities, and those who are underrepresented in our industry.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board is responsible for ensuring the company defines and fulfils its mission and strategic aims. As a Board member, you will review the written reports distributed before each board meeting and come prepared to ask questions, engage in discussions, challenge when needed, and act as a critical friend to ensure the company is well managed.
Trustees are required to:
- Ensure that ENT complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation, and pursues its stated charitable objects.
- Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity, including maintaining proper financial control and using its resources in pursuance of its objects.
- Appoint the Chief Executive team and monitor their performance.
- Together with the Exec team, create a firm strategic direction for the organisation, jointly setting the overall vision, mission and values, defining strategic objectives and agreeing targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
- Maintain and ensure effective board performance.
- Safeguard the reputation of ENT.
- Protect, manage and adequately insure the property and funds of the charity.
- Approve and monitor the implementation of internal policies (which include Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, and Grievance & Disciplinary procedures) and ensure that risk assessments for all aspects of the business are undertaken/updated effectively
As well as these formal responsibilities, you’ll get actively involved in charting the future direction of the Northcott, using your specific skills, knowledge and experience to help the charity reach sound decisions. We will provide a comprehensive induction and discuss any support you might need in your initial months.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
We’re committed to being more representative, to making space for a wider range of voices and lived experience within our leadership and workforce, and to sharing power as we seek to make our organisation more inclusive.
Ensuring that the diversity of our Board reflects the diversity of the communities within which we operate is a key part of this, and so we’re particularly keen to hear from a culturally diverse background (including Black, Asian Dual Heritage and Other Ethnic Groups), and from deaf and disabled people.
We also want to ensure that our Board includes the perspectives of artists and other freelancers, and that it’s as balanced as possible in terms of age, gender, sexual orientation, caring responsibilities and socio-economic background, and we will take these factors into account when making appointment decisions.
We recognise that, to ensure that anyone can get involved in our Board, we need to be open to changing the way we do things, how we support Trustees, and even how we define ‘good governance’ to remove any barriers that may exist. So, if you’re interested in this opportunity but are unsure whether your geographical location, your employment status or working pattern, your access needs or your caring responsibilities might prevent you from getting involved, we’d urge you to get in touch and let us think about how we can accommodate this.
We warmly welcome applications from those who are new to Trustee/Board work as well as individuals who have a proven track record in governance roles.
THE COMMITMENT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
In terms of time commitment, Board meetings are generally quarterly, plus additional quarterly Finance & Resource Committee meetings and occasional other task-and-finish working groups, with the frequency of all meetings determined by need.
Meetings have traditionally lasted around 2-3 hours and take place predominately over Zoom with at least one in-person meeting at either the Northcott Theatre or Barnfield Theatre per year. We expect our Trustees to be involved in some work between meetings, including supporting the Executive team and representing the organisation in various contexts, attending key performances, events and meetings when necessary.
Exeter Northcott Theatre’s Board is made up of a passionate and skilled group of professionals who work towards our charitable objectives. We want the Board to be representative of the communities we serve in order to be responsive and relevant to our diverse audiences, with the shared goal of making the Northcott Theatre an exceptional performance venue for all.
Sarah Elghady, Trustee
HOW TO APPLY
Follow the ‘apply now’ button below and you’ll be asked to submit written and/or video/audio responses to three questions so you can tell us about yourself and why you’re the right person for this role:
- Tell us about yourself and why you want to join the board of ENT.
- Tell us how your experience meets the role description.
- Tell us about what support you might need if we were to offer you this role.
And then upload a copy of your latest CV.
Contact us at [email protected] if you wish to submit in a different format, or would like to get more information about the role in an informal chat.
The closing date is Wednesday 6 November, 5pm.
Interviews will take place over Zoom w/c 25 November.
We’ll contact everyone who expresses an interest to let them know the outcome of their application and, if requested, to offer feedback.
We hope you find the information you need in a format that’s helpful but if there’s anything we can add or deliver in a different way, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing [email protected]. You can find practical information about our building, facilities and access on the access section of our website.
apply now