Vacancy -- Trustee - Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
Vacancy Details
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales was established by Royal Charter in 1907 and was granted a supplemental Charter in 2006 (www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/35/). It derives its core funding from the Welsh Government as a Welsh Government Sponsored Body (WGSB). The Museum is also a registered charity subject to Charity Law.
The Museum consists of:
• the National Museum Cardiff;
• St Fagans: National History Museum;
• the National Slate Museum at Llanberis;
• the National Wool Museum at Dre-fach Felindre;
• Big Pit: National Coal Museum at Blaenafon;
• the National Roman Legion Museum at Caerleon;
• the National Waterfront Museum Swansea; and
• the National Collections Centre at Nantgarw.
In addition, the Museum presents its renowned research work via its website and in its associated web presence, Rhagor. The museum is also a major partner in the People’s Collection Wales website (www.peoplescollectionwales.co.uk/)
The Museum employs some 550 staff across its sites and expends an annual budget of some £25 million.
As set out in the 1907 Charter, the Museum’s key purpose is to educate the public. This is to be achieved by caring for, enhancing, and giving access to the Museum’s collections, which cover aspects of earth and natural sciences, fine and applied art, archaeology, and the industrial and social history of Wales.
The Museum celebrated the Centenary of its foundation by Royal Charter in 2007. Its Vision is to be an organisation that inspires people and changes lives. This vision will guide its work over the next 10 -15 years. There are ambitious plans for the future development of the Museum and the display of its internationally renowned collections.
The Museum is currently taking forward the exciting redevelopment of St Fagans National History Museum, a major £25.5 million investment that will provide significant economic and social benefits for the whole of Wales.
The Museum is a key partner in the Fusion programme, aimed at increasing the contribution culture makes in helping people in our most disadvantaged communities.
The Museum has important partnership schemes with local museums and galleries throughout Wales which involve the development of exhibitions which draw from the national collections held by the Museum.
It is also an important part of the Museum’s aspirations to mainstream the Welsh language into all of its activities.
Trustees are required to fulfil the duties of a trustee of a charity. The Charity Commission defines these as set out on the Charity Commission website at http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/cc3.aspx.
Trustees must also be aware of their obligations arising from the position of the Museum as a Welsh Government Sponsored Body. These are laid out in the Framework Document, which sets out the Terms and Conditions of Welsh Government funding to the Museum.
The key points to note are that Trustees must:
• attend Board meetings regularly and prepare thoroughly for those meetings;
• be prepared to serve on sub committees;
• actively support the Museum’s management and staff in their work;
• represent the Museum at public functions;
• promote the profile of the Museum;
• give the Museum the benefit of their experience and expertise;
• facilitate contact with the Museum’s stakeholders; and
• contribute to the determination of policy, strategies and priorities in the management of the Museum’s collections.
To be effective, the Board needs Trustees with a broad range of expertise and experience. As a Trustee you will help determine policy, strategies and priorities in the Museum’s core activities. You should be able to draw on your own knowledge, skills and experience to provide evidence of your abilities in a range of the following areas:
• a commitment and enthusiasm for the Museum’s work including a broad appreciation of the subjects covered by the Museums collections;
• an understanding and interest in the cultural sector as a whole and a sensitivity to discern public opinion on cultural issues;
• contributing effectively in discussion, decision making and debate;
• working in a collegiate manner with fellow Trustees;
• management experience in a business, institutional, administrative or other context, with an appreciation of the distinction between the executive and non-executive functions;
• an understanding of the relationship between the Museum and the Welsh Government
• a commitment to equality issues and challenging discriminatory practices when appropriate;
• a commitment to Nolan’s ‘Seven Principles of Public Life’ (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life) and
• expertise in one or more of the following areas:
• learning and participation;
• digital media;
• the law;
• higher education;
• business;
• the built environment;
• science;
• the different communities of Wales, particularly North Wales;
• income generation;
• social, government and third-sector agendas;
• health and well-being.
Welsh Language
Interview Dates
Closing Date
This vacancy is closed to applications.