Grampian Hospitals Art Trust (GHAT) is seeking to recruit a chair designate to take over from Prof Hamish McKenzie who will step down as chair at the AGM in December 2022. The chair is responsible for co-ordinating a Board of Trustees who are collectively responsible for the governance of the charity under the guidance of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). This includes responsibility for financial matters and for the overall strategy in delivering our main purpose, which is to use art to make our hospitals as attractive and comforting as possible for all those who spend time there, whether staff, patients or visitors. A full time director is responsible for the day to day operation of the Trust and supervises a team of 11 to 14 staff.
In addition to chairing four Board meetings a year, the chair liaises closely with the full time Director and chairs a small executive group of Trustees in ensuring the charity’s purpose is delivered and supporting the operational team. Candidates need not be art “experts”, but an interest in art and an appreciation of its value in promoting wellbeing is essential. Experience in charity governance, management and knowledge of the art world, the NHS or academia would all provide useful background for the role. The Board of Trustees has a mix of skills which the chair can call on and candidates need not have all of the above.
The Board of Trustees is also recruiting a small number of new Trustees to ensure that it maintains a wide range of skills and experience. We would be particularly interested in candidates with any of business/marketing experience, a lived experience patient perspective and knowledge of the operation of the NHS and of Health and Social Care partnerships in Grampian.
A separate group of Arts Advisors advises the Trustee Board and the Director on artistic policy. A “Friends of GHAT” group has been formalised to help support our activities and a marketing initiative is currently underway to increase awareness of GHAT in the community and recruit more “friends”, both personal and business. In addition to Board meetings, Trustees are encouraged to attend events and may be asked to help in areas of specific expertise. GHAT activity is outlined within our website www.ghat-art.org.uk.
If you are someone who feels passionately about the role of culture in our society and its potential to enhance wellbeing these are roles where you can make a difference.
Interested candidates are welcome to discuss the details informally with the current chair (Prof Hamish McKenzie h.mckenzie@abdn.ac.uk) or the Director (Sally Thomson sally.thomson@nhs.scot). Applications should be emailed to Sally Thomson (sally.thomson@nhs.scot) by the 31st March. There is no formal application form, but please indicate why you would like to be considered for the role and include a short (1-2 pages max) cv outlining your skills and experience.
