Trustee

We are specifically looking for Trustees that bring experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Accountancy
• IT & Digital Technology
• Public Relations/Corporate Affairs

However we also welcome applications from people that can bring to the Board valuable knowledge, skills and lived
experience.

Led by the Chair of Trustee Chris Loughran, along with Vice-Chairs Dr Elouise Leonard-Cross and Dr Dan Jackson, the museum currently has 11 trustees who bring a diverse range of skills and experience.

The role of a Trustee

Trustees contribute their skills, knowledge and experience, usually in a particular area. However the Board is collectively responsible for its decisions and actions and trustees get involved in a variety of matters according to your interest and skills, so you will not be expected to take on sole responsibility for that area. There are also opportunities to become a member of a committees or working groups. To help decide if being a trustee is right for you we have outlined some expectations of the role that may be helpful. We will provide support and training to enable trustees to:

• Become familiar with the museum’s purpose and guiding principles, strategic plans, organisation and resources, and the unique qualities as a charity we bring to the sector and communities.
• Keep up to date with developments in the national museum sector. We regularly share bulletins, training opportunities and articles and provide briefings.
• Understand your legal responsibilities and the essentials of our museum structure.
• Prepare for meetings and know the right questions to ask senior staff. Your contribution as a Trustee will be far more effective if you take the time to read the agenda and papers in advance of meetings.
• Time commitments. We appreciate trustees are often extremely busy juggling work, trustee commitments and home life. We ask that wherever possible you meet the minimum requirements in terms of attending meetings.
• Contribute to, accept and uphold decisions of the Board and treat all deliberations of the Board as confidential and not to be shared.
• Consider and avoid conflicts of interest. We understand there may be occasions when your own work of or personal interests conflict with those of the museum. In these situations, Trustees must declare their interest and take no part in the decision-making process. Trustees are required to complete an annual declaration of interest.

How to apply

We are keen to hear from anyone interested in becoming a trustee of one of the North East’s and most successful visitor attractions. In 2023, we appointed a full new board to modernise and refresh our governance. We are now seeking to build the board further, enhancing its diversity, skills and expertise.

As a board trustee, you will help guide the museum’s future, making sure it operates responsibly, follows the law and uses its resources wisely. Working alongside the CEO, executive team, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders, you will use your skills, knowledge and experience to help set the future strategic direction of the museum. You will help build on Beamish’s successes and ensure it continues to grow, develop and thrive, playing a pivotal role in shaping future plans and direction for generations of people to come. You will join us at an important time as we have recently completed our flagship project Remaking Beamish, and we now move into new areas including self-catering accommodation and expanding our commercial development and partnership work.

Download the Trustee Recruitment Pack on our website.

Candidates apply by submitting CV and one page covering letter.

Closing date extended to: Sunday 24th November 2024

Interviews likely to be held on: 14th or 17th January 2025