Co-Chair - Bucks Culture

Bucks Culture is seeking a new Co-Chair to serve alongside our existing serving Co-Chair, to lead our Board of Trustees. We are seeking a collaborative person that can be a champion and guide for Bucks Culture as we evolves into our next phase.

Who we are

Buckinghamshire Culture is an independent charity established to nurture and champion arts, heritage and culture in the county. We do this through training and development, commissioning, building partnerships and developing new projects that address challenges and take advantage of opportunities. Bucks Culture brings together representatives from creative and cultural organisations, artists, higher and further education, schools, economy and growth, place-making and health and wellbeing.

The role

​We shape collaborative projects that engage communities, putting artists and creatives at the heart of our towns and villages. We underpin delivery with invaluable support for organisations and individuals through training opportunities, advice, networking and inspiration. We advocate for arts, heritage and culture to stakeholders and decision-makers.

Buckinghamshire Culture leads delivery of the Buckinghamshire Cultural Strategy and its strategic priorities, through collaborative, collective programmes. The Buckinghamshire Cultural Strategy can be found on our website.

The Role of Chair
Buckinghamshire Culture has two Chairs at the same time, who share the role and jointly support our Director, by joining us you would be entering into a partnership with our charity and our other Co-Chair.

As Chair of Buckinghamshire Culture for three years from Spring 2025, activities would include:

· Being a champion for culture in Buckinghamshire, for Bucks Culture, and resulting projects/programmes;

· Defining and articulating the Bucks Culture’s vision, acting as an ambassador and maintaining close relationships with key decision makers at a local, regional and national level;

· Ensuring an effective and appropriate model of governance for the charity that is fully compliant with governance requirements;

· Supporting the Director and staff of Bucks Culture, providing strategic leadership, support and challenge;

· Chairing the Board of Buckinghamshire Culture effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process;

· Advocating for and championing the Buckinghamshire Cultural Strategy;

· Ensuring that the Board of Bucks Culture fulfil their duties and responsibilities and work together to provide a clear strategic direction;

· Ensuring, with the Director, that the Board of Bucks Culture are provided with information so that they are able to fulfil their duties, including being able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks;

· Developing the knowledge and capability of the Board of Bucks Culture, addressing and resolving any conflicts, and appraising the Board’s performance;

· Driving forward planning and a fundraising strategy to enable a sustainable future for Bucks Culture;

· Representing Bucks Culture at external functions, meetings and events;

· Addressing any potential conflicts within the Partnership and with external stakeholders;

· Working closely with the other Bucks Culture Chair to support the work of the charity and collectively line-manage the Director;

· Alternatively chairing the four Board meetings of Bucks Culture Trustees.

Person Specification

Qualified by experience, the Chair is likely to have/have had a role(s) at a senior decision-making level in other relevant organisations, and ideally will have been a Board member. They will have;

· A passion for culture and creativity and the transformative role it can play in people’s lives;

· Commitment to the purpose and values of Buckinghamshire Culture and the role of culture for societal good;

· Proven and demonstrable leadership skills;

· Enthusiasm, integrity, strategic vision and good independent judgement;

· A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as Chair;

· An ability to take strong decisions for the good of Buckinghamshire Culture;

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

· Tact and diplomacy;

· Willingness to speak their mind as well as listen to the views of others;

· An ability to work effectively as a member of a team of experienced and independent individuals giving their time as Trustees.