Association of British Orchestras

Trustees

Northern Chamber Orchestra n/a Closing date 24 June 2022
Northern Chamber Orchestra, based in Hulme, Manchester is one of the country’s top professional chamber orchestras, presenting an annual series of concerts across the North of England. NCO is seeking two new Board members

The orchestra
• The NCO is a professional chamber orchestra that is both a Company limited by guarantee and a registered Charity.
• The orchestra is a “not for profit” organisation bringing classical music to areas of low arts provision in the Northwest of England. It engages with local communities to deliver concerts, educational projects and events promoting health and wellbeing.
• The orchestra comprises 26 player-members who are offered first refusal for concerts and educational work.
• The orchestra’s website is at ncorch.co.uk

The Board and staff
• The Board, comprising of individuals who give their time and expertise on a voluntary basis, meets approximately six times a year.
• The Board may comprise up to 12 directors and trustees. The NCO is seeking to appoint two directors and trustees to replace recent retirements, bringing the total number to nine.
• Operational management is led by the General Manager who reports to the Board. Other staff comprise a Marketing Manager and Finance and Administration Officer, together with a freelance Librarian, Fixer, Concerts Manager and Education Co-ordinator.
• There are currently two sub-committees of the Board, the Artistic Committee and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

The role
• Strategy development. There are four main pillars to the NCO’s strategic vision: Artistic (including programmes and soloists), Educational, Community and Support and Sponsorship.
• Oversight of operational performance. Regular review of the quality of artistic output, delivery of the orchestra’s annual plans, projects and performance against our budget.
• Oversight of the performance of the General Manager and team.
• An understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of directorship and trusteeship. Ensuring that the NCO continues to adhere to its processes for governance and maintains its charitable status.

The individual – desired skills and characteristics
• An ability to think creatively and strategically, as well as a passion for music and the arts generally
• Integrity and good independent judgment
• Previous Board experience in the “not for profit” or commercial sectors is desirable but not essential.

We would be particularly interested to hear from individuals with qualifications and/or experience in one or more of the following fields:
• Finance (as our Board does not presently include a chartered accountant)
• Marketing and digital strategy
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Fundraising, income generation and enterprise
• Arts policies and general public affairs
• Human resource management
• Social investment and impact

To apply, please send your CV and no more than the equivalent of one side of A4 about why you are interested in the position and what you think you will contribute to the role to the below email address. Please enable your CV to be editable to be anonymised – your name and personal information removed – before it is sent to panel for shortlisting. Deadline 24 June. Interviews by Zoom w/c 4 July. If you would like an informal and private chat about the role, please call Charlie Rowley, General Manager (0161 247 2220), Tuesday – Thursday.

Contact details

admin@ncorch.co.uk
0161 247 2220
MMU Brooks Building, 53 Bonsall Street, Manchester M15 6GX

Annual Conference

The next ABO conference will take place in Gateshead,
hosted by The Glasshouse ICM, from 5-7 February 2025.