CHAIR OF TRUSTEESRECRUITMENT PACKDECEMBER 2019

LIFT

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ABOUT LIFTDedicated to daring and relevant culture, international perspectives and unforgettable experiences, LIFT (London International Festival of Theatre) celebrates the world in London and London in the world. In almost 40 years of activity, LIFT has created an audacious, valiant and mercurial legacy as it has responded to contemporary issues and connected Londoners to vital international artists. We are propelling LIFT into its next phase with urgency, joy and newfound resilience.

We stand for radical empowerment and inclusion; we strive to be a diverse and progressive organisation. We promote the power and urgency of international perspectives, understanding that difference makes us stronger.

Every two years, we present a festival which connects London audiences with leading international artists, brave ideas and unforgettable cultural experiences. We bring audiences to the city’s most iconic venues, landmarks and unusual corners, celebrating the character of London and gathering Londoners around incredible art. The theatre we present is compelling, meaningful, provocative, excellent, topical, singular; we advance contemporary thought, introduce new forms, ideas and ways of experiencing culture.

We engage and create communities around international theatre artists and live art practitioners. Right now, that manifests as LIFT Tottenham, a five-year collaboration between LIFT, international artists and Tottenham locals creating festival works, artistic experiences, offering opportunities for learning and skill development and connecting Tottenham’s cultural offer to the rest of the city and beyond. In the future this vision will be delivered in new ways.

‘LIFT is a leader, a tastemaker and an organisation connects to a broader social and cultural sphere. We’re catalysts, bringing together unusual and seemingly disparate partners; from London’s grassroots organisations and schools to major theatres, historic landmarks and firms. Our partnerships secure the context for radical ideas, create and nurture communities and celebrate London as a place where the local and international meet.

LIFT is a festival for and of the city. Coming to LIFT last spring, I was inspired by the festival’s audacity, its sense of ethics and its commitment to international artists. Just over a year later, and that inspiration has only deepened. For me, festivals are about civic engagement and I want to give Londoners theatre that provokes, challenges, delights and resonate with the city’s landscape and civic character and also what they can’t find anywhere else in the city’s cultural calendar. LIFT’s place in the cultural sphere is as a leader, fortifying partner and friend. Amid an increasingly xenophobic and socially fractious environment and with a global population committed to openness, London needs LIFT, a festival celebrating internationalism and global perspectives as well as the strengths of this city more than ever.’ Kris Nelson, Artistic Director & CEO

LIFT

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THE ROLEContextBernard Donoghue became a Trustee of LIFT in 2005, Deputy Chair in 2007 and Chair in 2010 and he will complete his chairmanship at the AGM in November 2020. He has made an incredible commitment to LIFT, its people and its values. Bernard has advanced a legacy of landmark artistic moments, organisational milestones and an artistic and financial revitalisation of this well-loved, globally influential organisation. He has been responsible for appointing the last three Artistic Directors (Mark Ball, David Binder and Kris Nelson) and for strengthening LIFT’s networks and relationships with ACE, London’s cultural sector and City Hall.

He has cultivated a Board of Trustees who are dedicated, loyal and dynamic and has been recognised by the Clore Foundation as introducing exemplary governance practices, such as annual appraisals of trustees and of himself by his colleagues. LIFT’s new chair will join the newly formed leadership team in Artistic Director and CEO Kris Nelson and Executive Director Stella Kanu who are poised to launch LIFT into its next chapter, charting new artistic territory and creating a new business model for the organisation.

‘LIFT is an extraordinary organisation. It has produced and created theatre which has opened my eyes and my mind to what theatre can, and should be. I think and act differently because of my experience of LIFT, its festivals, its people its values and its energy. Being Chair of the board of such a dynamic organisation is an honour and privilege. At a time when fostering dialogue between different peoples, communities and countries has never been more important, LIFT’s role in that task becomes more crucial.’ Bernard Donoghue, LIFT’s Chair of Trustees

The OpportunityLIFT’s new chair will have a global outlook, celebrate internationalism and inclusivity and love the theatre and all its possibilities. They seek to amplify LIFT’s activities, their leadership will strengthen and create the context for the Executive Team to achieve the organisation’s goals. The chair will offer LIFT leadership, ensuring good governance and industry-leading organisational and financial management are in place. The Chair supports key staff, directs trustee recruitment and oversees succession planning. Our new chair will create a culture of savvy planning where a dynamic Board of Trustees will thrive and make informed, ambitious and strategic decisions.

The Chair is the direct line manager for the Artistic Director/CEO and leads the annual appraisal process. The Chair also works closely with the Executive Director.

The Board has a finance committee, led by Martin Harrison and a fundraising committee to be formed. The Trustees’ and Executive’s activities are also supported by a Tottenham Board of Advisors (with no statutory responsibility to LIFT).

GovernanceLIFT is both a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, accountable to statutory and other funders. The Trustees – directors in company law – are also the only members of the Company. The directors are expected to comply with their legal, financial and fiduciary duties under company law and as Trustees must also comply with charity law. Even though many of these duties are delegated to the Executive team, the Board sets the context for delegation and for specific delegated powers, the ultimate joint responsibility for every aspect of the Company’s operation lies with the Board of Directors.

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THE ROLE OF THE CHAIRThe Chair is pivotal in creating the conditions for the overall effectiveness of LIFT, both inside and outside the boardroom. Internally you will lead the management of meetings set the tone of board communication and provide key support to the Executive Team. Externally, you will be LIFT’s champion and advocate, building on our reputation, amplifying our key messages and articulating the value and relevance of LIFT to others.

The Chair has particular responsibility for providing leadership on matters such as:

• Supporting and guiding the Artistic Director and Chief Executive and Executive Team in delivery of the agreed vision, mission and strategic objectives

• Promoting LIFT to a range of stakeholders and supporters including Arts Council England • Taking a leadership role in the ongoing and essential fundraising activities of LIFT and overseeing how

Trustees help deliver LIFT’s fundraising objectives • Promoting strong relationships and open communication between Trustees and the Executive • Encouraging high standards of propriety, integrity and probity and promoting a high standard of

operations and other resources • Supporting the organisation through growth and change• Identifying and recruiting suitable candidates for appointment as future Trustees.• Periodically reviewing meeting practices, agenda setting, sub-committee structure, and conducting

Trustee appraisals and skills audits• Developing the Board Agenda and managing Board meetings to ensure that sufficient time is allowed for

discussion of complex or contentious issues and to promote effective decision-making and constructive debate

PERSON SPECIFICATIONATTAINMENTS• Previous experience as a Chair or Vice Chair of an arts, cultural organisation or other not for profit• Knowledge of the arts and culture or festival sector• Passion for, and interest in, the performing arts• Demonstrated success in strategic development of an organisation SOFT SKILLS• Visionary demeanour• Creates strong relationships• Global perspective• Inspiring public speaker with an engaging leadership style• Ability to both inspire and embolden the LIFT team and build a proactive Board of Trustees• Ability to enable long term, entrepreneurial planning • Demonstrated experience in advocacy• Ability to run meetings to time and canvass all views• Dealing with stakeholders at all levels in a most diplomatic way – from local councils to ambassadors to

oligarchs• Awareness and commitment to diversity• Ability to commit sufficient time to the role ROLE SPECIFIC CAPABILITIES• Advocate for vision and values of LIFT• Strong and close working relationship with Artistic Director/CEO as well as with Executive Director• Strategic thinking –leads the business plan and short/long term goals for the organisation• Excellent networks and commitment sharing those networks to supporting LIFT’s fundraising and

partnership endeavours

• Experience with organisational change• Stakeholder management and work with funding bodies• Commitment to LIFT’s charitable objectives• Good knowledge of governance • Knowledge of charity law and the regulator• Strong financial awareness• Oversee risk profile, both financial and artistic• Ability to assess and refresh the board as necessary

OUTLOOK• Embraces the values and ethos of LIFT• Proactive and pragmatic• Supportive and empathetic style• Good sense of humour• Allows all viewpoints to be expressed and find consensus• Lateral, solution focussed and able to handle delicate situations• Must be London based

TIME COMMITMENTTrustees meet formally four times per year, with papers provided 1-2 weeks in advance. The Finance committee also meets four times per year, in advance of each Board meeting. The Chair attends occasional meetings with key stakeholders and funders, and these, along with time consulting with the Executive usually means their overall time commitment works out to 1-2 days per month.

The successful candidate is expected to serve a minimum of four years, to a maximum of two four-year terms. The position is voluntary and not remunerated. Trustees can claim reasonable expenses as necessary.

CURRENT LIFT TRUSTEES

Chair: Bernard Donoghue Bernard has been the Director of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions since September 2011 following a career in advocacy, communications and lobbying, latterly at a senior level in the tourism and heritage sector. In May 2017 the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, appointed Bernard to be the Mayor’s Ambassador for Cultural Tourism and a member of the Mayor’s Cultural Leadership Board.

Members: Craig Hassall CEO, Royal Albert HallMartin Harrison Group Finance Director at Hibu (formerly Yell) Richard Huntingdon Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi London GroupSimon London Freelance Content Creator for TV and Digital ProductionHannah Azieb Pool Artistic Director, Bernie Grant Arts CentreMalakaï Sargeant Director, S+K ProjectsHelen Shute Chief Executive/Executive Director, RambertAlan Strong Deputy Chief Product Officer, InmarsatEnni-Kukka Tuomala Empathy Designer Aileen Walker Public engagement and parliamentary strengthening specialist

HOW TO APPLYTo apply, please submit your CV, a brief statement (maximum two A4 sides) describing your suitability for the position and a completed Equal Opportunities form to:

William DawkinsConsultant, Spencer Stuartwdawkins@spencerstuart.com(absolutely no unsolicited phone calls)

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BY: midnight, Friday 27 March 2020

ABOUT OUR PROCESSWhile Spencer Stuart will be managing the application process, candidates are welcome to arrange a time to speak with Chair Bernard Donoghue or Artistic Director/CEO Kris Nelson to discuss the role. Applications are due 27 March 2020 and LIFT will meet potential candidates through April and May. An appointment will be made towards the end of spring 2020, with the incoming Chair able to fully participate in the June 2020 festival and take on the chair role at the November 2020 meeting.

LIFT is committed to being a truly inclusive organisation – from our Trustees and team members to our audience and participants. We treat all role applications equally, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or any other equality characteristic. We particularly encourage applications from groups who are underrepresented in the cultural sector including disabled people and people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

LIFT is based at Toynbee Studios in East London. The building and office are fully accessible to wheelchair users.

ABOUT YOUR DATAAs part of the application process, LIFT will acquire personal data via both your application and your Equal Opportunities form. LIFT uses this information to process your application andreview compliance with its policies on equal opportunities. We will use this data to inform our statistics on the representation of the categories of the individual as shown below. We will treat all personal information in line with current data protection legislation and our data protection policy. For more information on how we use the information you have provided, please see our Privacy Policy online.

In order for us to process this information and to comply with data protection legislation, we require your consent. You are not required to give your consent; you acknowledge that any consent given is freely given. Your application for this role is not dependent on your giving consent to our processing of this data.

Submitting the completed equal opportunities form with your application will signify your consent to our processing of this information. Once you have given consent, you may withdraw it at any time by contacting info@liftfestival.com. At no point will Spencer Stuart retain any of your data or personal information, unless specific permission is granted through their own consent forms.

liftfestival.com@liftfestival LI

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