National Portrait Gallery - Three Trustees
Role Specification

National Portrait Gallery

The Department for Culture Media and Sport would like to invite applications for three Trustee roles at the National Portrait Gallery. The roles have a focus on:

●literature, art history and academic/research experience – this is important to the National Portrait Gallery due to the nature of the Gallery’s Collection, its status as an accredited Independent Research Organisation and its commissioning programme;

●creative industries and digital – this position will be important to the Gallery as it embarks on a major renewal as part of the Inspiring People project;

●fundraising and ambassadorial–a vital position as the Gallery embarks on a major capital campaign to support the Inspiring People project.

Time Commitment

The equivalent of two days every three months.

Location of Meetings

London

Remuneration

Board appointments are not remunerated, but reasonable expenses are paid.

Duration of Appointment

Appointment is for a period of up to four years and is expected to begin in November 2016.

Type of Appointment

Trustees are appointed by Prime Minister on the recommendation of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Background

The National Portrait Gallery holds the largest and most distinguished collection of portraits in the world. The principal aim is to promote through the medium of portraits the appreciation and understanding of the men and women who have made and are making British history and culture, and to promote the appreciation and understanding of portraiture in all media. As an institution it fulfils a number of roles relating to the historic and contemporary aspects of this Collection: a research and academic role, an educational role, and a wider role within public life.

Following a period of unprecedented growth, the continuing challenge is to strengthen the organisation and reduce areas of risk. At the same time the Gallery is developing the imaginative and distinctive aspects of its display, exhibition, education, research and access programmes, with a greater national presence and an increased recognition of the quality of its work and its collections, and the skills and knowledge of its staff.

Following the launch of the Ondaatje Wing in 2000, the Gallery has increased the number of visits year on year, including over the last few years, despite the unfavourable economic climate and difficulties with international tourism and travel. The National Portrait Gallery has free admission and there are now 2 million visits each year to the St Martin’s Place site and the Gallery employs around 290 staff, with an average annual turnover in the last couple of years of between £23m and £25m. The Gallery has also demonstrated its ability to make acquisitions of national importance, such as the portraits of John Donne and Sir Anthony van Dyck, to revitalise its regional work at Bodelwyddan, Montacute and Beningbrough, to establish new sponsorship partnerships, and to collaborate on major projects. To continue with such successes, while coping with limited staff and resources, requires a determined sense of direction, clear planning and continued efficiency across the institution as a whole.

The Gallery is now embarking on a period of renewal with its Inspiring People project– which will include a major capital campaign. The project will include improvements to the buildings and facilities, the renewal of the Collection displays, new interpretation and the development of a broader digital and national programme. The Gallery raises 60% of annual income including from fundraising initiatives, retail and rights and images, ticket admission on exhibitions, catering and some learning programmes. Together with fellow Trustees, the new Trustees will play a key role in supporting the Gallery’s aim to generate income from commercial and fundraising opportunities.

About the National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery’s core purpose is to:

●care for, preserve and add to the works of art and the documents in its Collection

●ensure that the works of art are exhibited to the public;

●ensure that the works of art and the documents are available to people seeking to inspect them in connection with study or research;

●generally promote the public’s enjoyment and understanding of portraiture of British people and British history through portraiture both by means of its collection and by such other means as it considers appropriate.

The Gallery’s six strategic objectives are:

  1. To extend and broaden the range of audiences for the National Portrait Gallery and its work through access and learning, a higher national and public profile, and effective communication.
  1. To develop the Collection, creating opportunities for acquisition and commission, while improving its care and conservation.
  1. To increase the understanding of and engagement with the Collection and the art of portraiture through outstanding research, exhibitions and displays, publishing, learning, regional and digital programmes.
  1. To maximize the financial resources available through both public and private sector support, trading and licensing and through the effective management of the Gallery’s assets and resources.
  1. To develop staff as an essential resource through the extension of staff diversity, training, development and learning programmes.
  1. To bring the buildings, technical and managerial infrastructure of the Gallery to the highest standards, including processes, systems, collection storage and staff accommodation.

The Role

The chief role of Trustees is to assist the Chair in meeting the Board’s overall responsibilities under the Charities Act and in accordance with the guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Trustees offer guidance and expertise on the Gallery’s strategy and its practical implementation. They must be positive advocates for the Gallery, representing it to ministers, officials at DCMS, and others. They must also assist the Chair in ensuring that the Gallery’s affairs are conducted with probity.

Trustees must be able to attend Board meetings and such other sub-committee meetings as may be necessary. Board meetings are normally held four times a year in London, with one additional review day. Some additional time will need to be devoted to studying papers, attending events at the Gallery and occasional visits to regional partnerships.

The PeopleCandidates for these particular roles should be able to demonstrate:

Role 1: Writer/historian/academic/research post

●a national or international reputation as a writer in at least one of the following areas: literary fiction; non-fiction; art history; literary criticism or biography;

●an appreciation of the importance and value of literature in the National Portrait Gallery, its Collection, exhibitions, displays, talks and events programmes;

●an interest in the Gallery’s research and publishing activities.

Role 2: Creative industries and digital post

●success, at a senior level, either as a manager or creative practitioner within the creative industries – examples include (but are not restricted to): design, fashion, film, theatre, the visual arts, digital, music, photography and advertising;

●an appreciation and understanding of the current digital landscape and its importance within a national arts organisation;

●an understanding of traditional and social media.

Role 3: Fundraising and ambassadorial post

●Significant experience of major fundraising campaigns which will be crucial as the Gallery embarks upon a £37 million capital campaign (currently in its early stages);

●senior level connections within the cultural sector and excellent networking skills;

●excellent communications and ambassadorial skills.

Additionally, the successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

●an understanding of the diverse communities in the UK and a real commitment to promoting diversity;

●a strong interest in the work of the National Portrait Gallery with an understanding of the principles of good governance;

●excellent communication skills with an ability to help develop wider audiences for the National Portrait Gallery and to build connections between museums;

●the ability to contribute to future policy and strategic developments with innovative thinking;

●the ability to analyse and approach problems in a dispassionate way;

●an understanding of public life in order to help the Board to provide advice and opinions to staff on the development of the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection;

●the ability to act as an advocate of the Gallery by introducing potential supporters to the Gallery's work and supporting the Gallery’s fundraising activities generally.

Supporting Information

Trustees are appointed by the Prime Minister. Further information on the National Portrait Gallery can be found on its website at

Board of Trustees
Sir William ProbyBt CBE DL (Chairman)
Dr Brian Allen
Ms C Allegra Berman (Chair of the Investment Committee)
Professor Dame Carol Black DBE
Dr Rosalind (Polly) Blakesley
Rob Dickins CBE
The Rt Hon David Lidington MP(Lord President of the Council)
Kim Evans OBE
The Rt Hon The Lord Janvrin GCB GCVO QSO
DrJoanna Kennedy OBE
Christopher Le Brun (President of the Royal Academy)
Dr Andrew Roberts
David Ross (Chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee)
Stephan Shakespeare
Professor DameMarina Warner CBE FBA

How to apply
Applications should be made by submitting a CV of two pages maximum accompanied by a supporting statement, also of up to two pages which sets out how you meet the essential criteria of the role.

You should state clearly how you meet the criteria outlined in the person/ role specification.

You should also complete the Monitoring Form (Parts 1 and 2) and Declaration of Interests Form, which will be kept separately from the main form and will not be seen by the selection panel in order to meet OCPA code of practice.

Please return your completed applications to: and put ‘National Portrait Gallery’ in the subject line.

If you have any questions about the Public Appointments process please contact:

Laura Dewsbury
Public Appointments
Department for Culture, Media and Sport

T: 020 7211 6638
Email:

Deadline

Completed forms should be received by noon on Friday 7 October.

Interviews

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held on 31 October and 2 November 2016.

Further information

For information on the role and the National Portrait Gallery please contact:

Helen Hillman

T: 020 7312 2477

Email:

DCMS promotes an equal opportunities policy. Appointments are made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, and these appointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Applications are welcomed regardless of gender, age, marital status, disability, religion, ethnic origin, political opinion, sexual orientation or whether or not you have dependants.

Useful websites: