The Department for Culture Media and Sport would like to invite applications for a new Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery.

Time Commitment
The equivalent of 1 day every other month on average.

Location of Meetings
Meetings are held at the Gallery.

Remuneration
Trustees not remunerated, but reasonable expenses are paid.

Duration of Appointment
The appointment will be for an initial term of four years.

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 collection, and the skills and knowledge of its staff.

Following the launch of the Ondaatje wing in 2000, the Gallery has increased its level of visitors despite the unfavourable economic climate and difficulties with international tourism and travel.  There are now at least 1.6 million visits each year to the St Martin’s Place site.  The Gallery has also demonstrated its ability to make acquisitions of national importance, such as the portraits of John Donne, to revitalise its regional work at Bodelwyddan, Montacute and Beningbrough, to complete the buildings at St Martin's Place with the opening of the Regency display in the Weldon Galleries, 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 role
The chief role of Trustees is to assist the Chair in meeting the Board’s overall responsibilities in accordance with the policies of 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.

The Gallery’s six strategic objectives remain:
- To extend and broaden the range of audiences for the National Portrait Gallery and its work.
- To develop the Collection, creating opportunities for acquisition and commission, while improving its care and conservation.
- To increase the understanding of and engagement with the Collection and its subjects through bringing more of the reference collections into use, and through outstanding research, displays and exhibition, education, access, publishing, information, regional and digital programmes, and a higher national and public profile.
- 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.
- To develop staff as an essential resource through the extension of staff diversity, training, development and learning programmes.
- To bring the buildings, technical and managerial infrastructure of the Gallery to the highest standards, including processes, systems, collection storage and staff accommodation.

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, 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 Person
Ministers are looking for particular skills to complement the current balance of the Board.  The Gallery is looking for a person with financial and business expertise. For this particular position, the appointed trustee will be invited to join the Gallery’s audit and compliance committee, with view to becoming chair.                                         

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:
- Experience of business, finance, and/or accountancy gained at a senior level.
- Experience of risk management and governance issues.

An ability to contribute to the acquisitions process; providing advice and opinions on the development of the National Portrait Gallery Collection.

Candidates should have the ability to contribute to future policy and strategy developments with freshness of approach and independence of thought.
A strong interest in the work of the National Portrait Gallery.
Excellent communication and representational skills.

How to apply
Further details and an application form are available electronically or in hard copy. Please contact:

Heather Batchelor
Public Appointments Unit
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur  Street
London  SW1Y 5DH
Tel: 020 7211 2308
Email: [email protected]

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

Closing date
Completed forms should be received by 31 March 2009

Interviews
Interviews are expected to be held 11 May 2009

http://www.dcms.gov.uk/working_with_us/public_appointments/5798.aspx