The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)

We are the RSA: The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, where world-leading ideas are turned into world-changing actions. We are committed to a world where everyone can fulfil their potential and contribute to more resilient, rebalanced, and regenerative futures. With over 30,000 Fellows in currently 115 countries, our Design for Life mission unites people and ideas in collective action to unlock opportunities to regenerate our world.

In 2024, we are celebrating 270 years at the forefront of social change, and our search for a new Chair of Trustees couldn’t come at a more exciting time!  Our history includes: initiating The Great Exhibition of 1851, projects to abolish child labour, the world-famous Blue Plaque Scheme, and placing public art on Trafalgar Square’s iconic Fourth Plinth. Now we are looking to the future, with our ambitious Design for Life mission through interventions such as: energising our creative industries in regions across the UK; leveraging data to understand the influence of social connections on life opportunities; transforming how children can foster a connection to nature and community through creativity; and unlocking cities’ economic potential .

The Chair provides leadership to our outstanding Board of Trustees and our Chief Executive, Andy Haldane, as we develop and implement our new strategy. They also oversee good governance of the organisation, including budgeting, risk management, and legal compliance.

We would welcome applications from candidates with proven complex leadership experience and a passion for the arts and social action. Candidates will have experience working at the highest level of public or commercial life and an understanding of the key challenges and opportunities facing the not-for-profit sector. Excellent communication and relationship management skills are critical, along with the willingness to leverage networks and act as an ambassador on behalf of the RSA. This is the opportunity to join  a global network of changemakers, enabling people, places, and the planet to flourish in harmony.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the RSA on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference VXMD. Alternatively, telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Monday 15^th April.