The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has notified the IHBC that the British Museum seeks a Historic Buildings Conservation Trustee as one of 5 new trustee roles.
image for illustration: Seán O’Reilly
… the oldest national public museum in the world…
The British Museum and DCMS write:
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is enthusiastic for and has a genuine interest in the British Museum’s collection and an understanding of the Museum’s work in the UK and internationally.
The British Museum is the world’s largest museum. In 2022/23, its iconic home in Bloomsbury received 4.5 million visitors, while a further 4 million people saw objects from the British Museum’s collection elsewhere in the UK, thanks to nearly 2,000 objects loans to institutions around the country, including partner organisations and community groups with whom the Museum co-curates the display of loaned objects.
As we move towards its 275th anniversary in 2028, however, the Museum is entering into an exciting new era with a long-term masterplan to renew and rethink how we tell the common story of human culture by revitalising the Museum estate and improving how visitors experience the collection in London, across the UK, and around the world.
Role description
This campaign is to appoint five new trustees to the Board of the British Museum. We are seeking four Generalist trustees and one trustee with the expertise in Historic Buildings Conservation.
The role of the Board is to ensure the Museum is run in compliance with the British Museum Act (1963), the Charity Act (2011) and other relevant legislation, regulations and principles relevant to the Museum as an exempt charity, national museum and public body.
The Board also ensures that high standards of corporate governance are maintained and that the Museum has robust control systems, decision-making processes and management in place. It advises and supports the Museum’s executive, to ensure the effective operation of the Museum and the curation, conservation and exhibition of its collection.
Organisation description
- The British Museum is an exempt charity and Non–Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Gallery seeks four new Trustees for appointment by the Prime Minister in Spring 2024.
- Established by Act of Parliament in 1753, the British Museum is the oldest national public museum in the world. Its mission is to house, curate, conserve, research and exhibit a collection of world cultures. With a collection totalling eight million objects, the British Museum is unique in bringing together under one roof the cultures of the world, which allows us to explore the extraordinary diversity of human culture, to discover the many forms and expressions human beings have given to every aspect of life, and to realise how closely they are interconnected.
- The British Museum is the world’s largest museum. In 2022/23, its iconic home in Bloomsbury received 4.5 million visitors, while a further 4 million people saw objects from the British Museum’s collection elsewhere in the UK, thanks to nearly 2,000 objects loans to institutions around the country, including partner organisations and community groups with whom the Museum co-curates the display of loaned objects.
- In addition to the audiences in London and around the UK, the Museum has deep connections with museums, collections and communities around the globe. In 2022/23 it loaned nearly 1,700 objects internationally and worked with partners from Iraq to Nigeria to Tahiti, helping to ensure that the Museum remains a museum in and of the world.
- Like many major museums, the British Museum has faced significant challenges in recent years. As we move towards its 275th anniversary in 2028, however, the Museum is entering into an exciting new era with a long-term masterplan to renew and rethink how we tell the common story of human culture by revitalising the Museum estate and improving how visitors experience the collection in London, across the UK, and around the world.
Board composition
The Museum’s Board consists of 25 Trustees, one of whom is appointed by The Sovereign,15 by the Prime Minister, 5 by the Board itself and 4 by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the recommendations of the British Academy, the Royal Academy, the Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries of London respectively.
Regulation of appointment
This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website
Person specification
Essential criteria
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate in their application most of the following essential criteria:
- An enthusiasm for and genuine interest in the British Museum’s collection and an understanding of the Museum’s work in the UK and internationally.
- An understanding of and commitment to the objectives and work of the British Museum as a museum of the world for the world.
- A commitment to Trustees’ fiduciary responsibilities, which are to preserve and enhance the collection for the benefit of present and future generations, and to make it as freely accessible as possible.
- A commitment to supporting the Museum’s role in preserving cultural heritage, and in using the collection to support education and the understanding of British and world cultures and history.
- Proven ability to take responsibility and demonstrate sound judgement in strategic decision-making ability.
- A commitment to supporting fundraising activities and to work with the Museum’s advancement team to contribute to the delivery of fundraising ambitions.
- Excellent communications and representational skills.
- A clear understanding of the principles of good corporate governance with experience of collective decision making at a senior level and the ability to work effectively as part of a team, actively contributing to Board discussions and decision-making.
In addition to the essential criteria outlined above, candidates for the Historic buildings conservation Trustee appointment will be expected to demonstrate the following experience:
- Expertise and experience in architecture and historic buildings conservation;
- Experience in developing the potential of heritage sites;
- Understanding of the workings of high-level capital projects and the strategic management of extensive estates.
Desirable criteria
- A commitment to supporting fundraising activities and to work with the Museum’s advancement team to contribute to the delivery of fundraising ambitions.
