Chair of the Board and Members of the Board of Trustees

As one of the UK’s leading centres of conservatoire education, ArtsEd provides world-class, contemporary training that is focused on the constantly evolving needs of the performing arts industry in the 21st century.

ArtsEd is unique in the combination of a performing arts secondary school, the Day School and Sixth Form, for young people from 11-18, and the Higher Education provision of degrees and diplomas in Musical Theatre and Acting alongside a broad range of evening, weekend and holiday outreach courses through ArtsEd Extra. 

ArtsEd, founded more than a century ago, has a rich history, distinctive approach, and clear ethos and values. Operating out of a single site in Chiswick, our unique offering from school to degree-level education, combining a strong focus on the arts with a rigorous academic curriculum, fosters a diverse range of skills and competencies in our students, producing high calibre ‘industry ready’ talent to enter a highly competitive market. We are committed to nurturing talent in an environment that promotes outstanding teaching, exceptional pastoral care, and inclusivity. ArtsEd achieves excellent student outcomes and has an outstanding record of external review at all levels, as well as an impressive range of alumni including Julie Andrews, Angela Lansbury, Nigel Harman, Samantha Barks, Miriam Teak Lee, Jac Yarrow, and Zizi Strallen. 

The Chair of the Board of Trustees will play a critical role in realising ArtsEd’s ambitions, helping us to recognise future opportunities, and to tackle challenges with confidence and agility. They will provide effective leadership to the Board of Trustees, and guidance, support and scrutiny to the Principal and the Senior Leadership Team as they develop and implement a compelling vision and new organisational strategy to ensure our success amidst a changing culture, policy and funding environment. 

We are seeking a seasoned leader with Board-level experience in the private, public, or not-for-profit sectors. They will have experience as a non-executive director and will ideally have served as Chair of an appropriately complex board or committee. With outstanding interpersonal skills, excellent judgment, and strong commercial acumen, they will bring an inclusive and collegiate approach to leadership of the Board.  Above all, we are seeking a new Chair of the Board who will be committed to the vision, values, and aspirations of ArtsEd, with a passion for the performing arts. 

In addition, we are looking to appoint a minimum of five Trustees from a diverse range of backgrounds and communities, including those with former connections to ArtsEd. Following a review of the Board’s membership and skills mix, we are particularly seeking candidates with leadership experience in higher education and in secondary education, as well as senior finance professionals, and qualified senior legal professionals, ideally with prior experience of the creative arts or wider entertainment industry. 

Proven non-executive experience is desirable, but a clear understanding of the differences between an executive and non-executive role is essential. Successful candidates will demonstrate character, resilience, and the ability to engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders in order to be highly effective ambassadors for ArtsEd. They will bring the requisite intellectual capacity, commercial acumen, and strategic expertise to provide robust challenge as critical friends. We value our open, inclusive culture and our Trustees are passionate about the positive impact we have on the lives of our students. 

Additionally, whilst the above are the principal skill sets we are seeking, we would also be open to candidates with significant experience in the performing arts industry, marketing and brand strategy, IT and digital technology, and property. 

For further information on these exciting positions, including details of how to apply, please visit www.odgers.com/92139  

Letters of application and CVs should be sent by the closing date, 9.00am BST on Friday 13^th December.

ArtsEd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).