AS plans for a new National Centre for Music (NCM) at the former Royal High School in Edinburgh progress, the search is underway for a chair and board of trustees to help bring the iconic cultural destination to life.
In addition, creative director Jenny Jamison’s role has been expanded to incorporate the role of chief executive, to ensure ‘strong leadership and seamless integration’ between the creative vision and operational management of the venue.
From its home in the former Royal High School building on Calton Hill, the National Centre for Music will nurture and celebrate music making from across Scotland. Nestled within two acres of landscaped gardens, it will present a programme across all genres for audiences to enjoy, as well as supporting artists and organisations to develop new projects, skills, networks, and profile.
The centre is looking for around four new trustees, including a chair, to work with the executive team to develop and launch the organisation – defining the brand, setting the business model and staff team, establishing business partnerships, and ensuring integration and collaboration with the music sector, as well as with Edinburgh and Scotland’s wider cultural infrastructure.
During the early years, there is expected to be five board meetings per year, plus one strategy development day.
Carol Nimmo, trustee of the National Centre for Music and chair of the Royal High School Preservation Trust, said, “Jenny’s impact as creative director has been transformative, driving the vision and plans for the National Centre. Her passion, expertise, and reputation in the music sector make her ideally placed to take this unique project forward, leading both its creative direction and organisational development.”
In the search for trustees, Jenny Jamison hopes to find a breadth of voices that reflect the wide range of communities the centre will serve. She explained, “As we launch ourselves as a new national player, we need fresh entrepreneurial thinking to build an innovative, resilient organisation.
“We are particularly seeking candidates with expertise in business development, brand and marketing, EDI (Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion) and finance, and we also want to ensure the music community at large feel represented in our governance. So whether you’re an experienced trustee or someone who has never been on a board before, if you have first-hand knowledge of the music sector in Scotland or feel truly passionate about what we’re trying to achieve, we’d love to hear from you – and we’ll make sure you feel welcome and supported.”
A full trustee recruitment pack can be found here. To apply, send a CV and letter of application explaining why you are interested in the opportunity and what you would bring to the role. Email hello@ncmscotland.org.uk with ‘NCM Trustee Recruitment’ in the email subject. Deadline for applications is May 9 at 1pm.
