Royal & Derngate

Location – Northampton

Royal & Derngate, Northampton is the main venue for arts and entertainment in Northamptonshire and the region’s home for the creation of world-class theatre and transformative creative learning. Led by Chief Executive, Jo Gordon and Artistic Director, James Dacre, Royal & Derngate has developed a reputation for innovative and top-quality performances, drawing upon local and national talent and is firmly committed to being rooted in the region.

The organisation comprises of a 1,200-seat multi-purpose auditorium and 450-seat Victorian playhouse that welcome a mixed programme of high-profile touring shows and artists all year round, including the award-winning Made in Northampton series of in-house produced theatre productions. These have gone on to appear in the West End and Broadway, whilst also touring nationally and internationally. Furthermore, a diverse range of visiting productions are presented on both the Derngate and Royal stages, featuring West End musicals and dance, plus comedy and music, including a regular programme from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Royal & Derngate now seek an exceptional Chair for the Board of Trustees. The successful candidate will have a passion for theatre and the arts with the conviction that the arts have the power to transform lives and communities. They will bring a strong track record of strategic leadership and experience working at board level, ideally in a chairing role. They will bring knowledge of the arts and the charity sector with an awareness of the current regional and national opportunities and challenges in the arts.

Candidates will have excellent relationship-building and communication skills, along with the energy and drive to support the development of the organisation’s artistic and strategic vision for the future. They will bring strong commercial acumen and will be comfortable acting as an ambassador for the organisation, actively championing the work of Royal & Derngate across fundraising, working with key partners, and to ensure proper and effective governance. Furthermore, they will ensure that the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion are embedded and upheld in the operation of the Board and in all its activities. Overall, they will strongly align with the mission and values of Royal & Derngate and support the dynamic programme of wide ranging artistic and educational activities.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Royal & Derngate on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference EARACA. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Tuesday 28 September 2021.