We’re looking for a Chair of Trustees

Due to succession, we are looking for a new Chair to join and lead our welcoming and productive Trustee Board.

About us – the Irene Taylor Trust: Creating Music. Transforming Futures.

We believe that creating original music collaboratively can have a powerful impact on people’s lives, bringing them new confidence, important transferable skills and raised aspirations for the future. Our programmes Music in Prisons, Sounding Out and Making Tracks support people of all ages in prisons, previously imprisoned people rebuilding their lives on release, and young people experiencing challenging circumstances in the community. We have a measurable impact on recidivism, helping people into training and jobs, and on enhancing wellbeing. We work with around 600 participants each year. The quality of our work was recently recognised by the Royal Philharmonic Society with their ‘Gamechanger’ award.

About you – who we’re looking for to join our board

At the Irene Taylor Trust, we understand that diverse perspectives strengthen our work and help us better serve the communities we aim to uplift. We actively encourage applications from individuals who bring a wealth of different experiences, particularly those from Black, Asian, and other global majority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ communities and neurodiverse individuals. We accept applications from those who may not have previous experience as a chair or board member of a charity. We are open to applications from people with a criminal conviction (and could help you to check your eligibility under the Charity Commission rules). We will deliver an induction and support working collectively as team.

Please note, our preference is that our Trustees are based in the UK.

Our terms of office are three years, renewable up to twice. The time commitment for Trustees includes attending quarterly meetings (in-person in London or online), attending our project performances when possible, and supporting the office team on emerging issues in areas of skills and interest. The Chair role time commitment will vary and be around one day a month.

The Chair plays an important role as a figurehead and leader, ensuring we meet our objectives and governance requirements. Being Chair is a rewarding and varied role, as this infographic from the Association of Chairs shows.

We need someone who is inspired by our mission and wants to make a difference; someone who is interested in people, likes making connections and creates the environment in which people can achieve their best. You must be able to see the importance of and understand both the ‘bigger picture’ and finer detail; to lead decision making when crises and issues arise. You will need leadership and management skills; you could have gained these in the voluntary sector, private or public sector.

As well as chairing quarterly board meetings, you will connect regularly with the Artistic Director who leads our work, and with other Trustees and staff members when needed. Challenges and opportunities arise which will need your leadership and input. We can support you to develop as a Trustee and Chair and link you with organisations who offer learning and support.

This role would suit someone with the following particular skills and attributes:

• Experience of chairing, or attending, a board or a leadership/ management committee, at work or elsewhere
• An inclusive, supportive, positive leadership style and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• An enthusiasm for networking, making connections and galvanising support
• Resilience and decisiveness in leading when things get difficult
• An understanding of the importance of rules and regulations and the need to ‘do things properly’
• An enjoyment of investigating, learning and getting informed on issues pertinent to our work, strategy and governance
• Some experience of big picture thinking and working through issues

How to apply

Please complete the form, which you can download here.

OR if you prefer, instead send a CV and a covering letter (500 words maximum) telling us why you would like to get involved, about yourself and how you would like to contribute.

If you would find it useful before making an application, one of the Trustees of ITT would be delighted to talk to you to tell you more about our work and organisation. Please email Sara Lee to organise this: sara@irenetaylortrust.com

Please send the either the completed form, OR your CV and covering letter to: info@irenetaylortrust.com by noon on 10th March 2025. This is with a view to us interviewing during March.

Trustee Recruitment Pack

More info about ITT and the responsibilities of becoming a Trustee can be found in our Recruitment Pack.