Chair of Trustees (or co-Chair)
Are you interested in using your skills and passion to help one of the UK’s leading outdoor arts companies continue its creative journey? We are looking for an experienced leader to be our Chair of Trustees (or Co-Chairs) to help us deliver our vision and ambitious plans for the future.
Emergency Exit Arts is at the beginning of an exciting new era. We have a new Creative Director & CEO, we have a renewed ambition and a commitment to staying relevant and imaginative in the years ahead, open to new ideas, new ways of working and new possibilities. This is a pivotal moment to shape what comes next.
The new Chair will lead our Board and governance strategy, line manage our Creative Director/CEO and be a passionate advocate for our work.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are seeking a strong, values-led leader with a genuine passion for charities and the impact they have on society, as well as an interest in the creative industries, arts, culture or heritage sector. You will be a confident leader and an effective facilitator of people – someone able to both challenge and support EEA with strategic thinking, long-term planning and a commitment to champion our work. Perhaps you have something new and different to bring to the table – a unique perspective or a background that will encourage us to think in new ways about the way that we work and the work that we make?
Ideally, you will have:
- Substantial trustee experience and be ready to step into a chairing role, or have previous experience as a Chair of Trustees, or have worked closely with a board in a senior leadership capacity
- Knowledge of the building blocks of an effective board, good governance practice and trustee responsibilities
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust, good relationships and facilitate conversation and people
- The ability to offer constructive challenge with sensitivity and be challenged in return, supporting robust decision-making
- The ability to take an objective, long-term view
We want to work in an organisation that represents the world we live in, the people and communities we make art with and the people we co-create with. So we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people who are currently underrepresented on charity boards including women, people from the Global Majority and/or refugees, disabled people and young people aged 18-25.
HOW TO APPLY
Deadline for applications: 5.00pm on Thursday 10 September.
To apply, please send us your CV and answer the following questions as a statement:
- Why do you want to be the Chair of Trustees for Emergency Exit Arts?
- What specific experience, expertise and qualities do you bring?
- How would you describe your approach to leadership?
Your statement can be submitted in the following formats:
• A written statement (maximum 500 words)
• A video statement (maximum 3 minutes)
• An audio statement (maximum 3 minutes)
All applicants must download and return the equality & diversity form.
We welcome applications from individuals applying as Chair, as well as from those interested in serving as Co‑Chairs. If you are applying jointly as a pair of Co‑Chairs, please submit a shared statement (one page) and individual CVs.
Get in Touch
For more information or an informal conversation about whether this is the right opportunity for you, please contact [email protected] and we’ll put you in touch with Rachel, our Creative Director/CEO. If you would like to have an informal conversation with one of the Trustees please get in touch, we’re happy to arrange this.
Interviews will take place on 24/25 September 2026
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to observe the Board meeting on 7 October 2026, 6.00pm - 7.30pm