The BOA Group is an exciting and rapidly-expanding multi-academy trust (MAT) consisting of three constituent academies across Birmingham. BOA Creative, Digital and Performing Arts opened at Millennium Point in 2011 and very quickly established itself as the leading performing arts school in the West Midlands. The Group has expanded recently, with BOA Stage and Screen opening in the Jewellery Quarter in September 2021, followed by BOA Digital on Barrack Street in September 2022. A defining feature of the Group is its outstanding relationship with the Ormiston Trust, Birmingham City University and local industry partners who provide support at board level as well and access to facilities, resources and academic expertise.

With entry points at age 11, 14 or 16, the BOA Group has a unique and innovative educational pathway for learners of secondary and Post-16 age. With options to undertake courses in everything from digital skills and cyber security to musical theatre, acting, screen production, and theatre sound and lighting, the Group is a leading name in Birmingham’s educational landscape.

Chair of the Trust Board

The Chair’s main role is to provide clear leadership of the Board, to set the Board agenda and lead the other Trustees in playing a full role in the development and determination of the MAT’s strategy.

In addition to those duties and responsibilities performed by all Trustees, the Chair is generally considered to lead on:

• Instigating and facilitating discussions on the strategic development of the MAT
• Ensuring that the Board has agreed strategic priorities
• Holding the Chief Executive to account for the effective management and delivery of the MAT’s strategic aims and objectives, where appropriate
• Constructively supporting and appraising the performance of the CEO
• Building and maintaining close relations between the MAT’s various constituencies, including members and stakeholder groups to promote the effective operation of the MAT’s activities
• Upholding the values of the MAT by example, and ensuring that the organisation promotes equality and diversity for all its stakeholders
• Facilitating effective board meetings, liaising with the governance professional and chief executive officer where appropriate, with the drafting of agendas and supporting papers for trustee meetings and ensuring that the business is covered efficiently and effectively
• Encouraging all trustees to contribute their skills, experience and opinions in order to ensure adequate challenge and robust scrutiny
• Creating a board environment with strong working relationships where challenge and scrutiny are welcomed
• Attending and chairing, committees, local governing bodies and other ad hoc meetings of the main board
• Liaising with the governance professional to lead on the planning, setting and chairing of trustee meetings and general meetings, where appropriate
• Ensuring, in liaison with the governance professional, that appropriate procedures, processes and controls are in place and followed
• Participating in any board induction, training and evaluation identified as an individual trustee and as part of the board or committee
• Maintaining the Trustees’ commitment to board diversity, renewal and succession planning, in line with the MAT’s articles of association and current good practice
• Undertaking to ensure the effectiveness of the governance structure through skills audits, inspections and internal and external governance reviews, taking remedial action where necessary with an expectation of high standards across the board
• Acting between full meetings of the board in authorising action to be taken intra vires, e.g. banking transactions and legal documents in accordance with the scheme of delegation

Trustees

As an Academy Trust, The BOA Group is a company limited by guarantee and an exempt charity. Trustees are therefore also Directors of the Charitable Company for the purposes of company law. The BOA Group board is made up of industry experts and educational specialists and sets the vision and strategy for the Group, working alongside the Chief Executive Officer and the wider leadership team. 

The Trustees focus on three core functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the Trust Executive Group to account for the educational performance and overall performance of the Trust
• Overseeing the financial performance of the Trust and making sure its money is appropriately spent

All Trustees will be expected to build strong relationships with other members of the Trust Board, governors and company members as well as the Chief Executive, central-office Group Staff and the Principals and wider senior leadership team of the academies.

Chair of the Trust Board

The BOA Group is looking to appoint its next Chair of the Trust Board who will be instrumental in supporting the Chief Executive Officer to deliver outstanding educational pathways across the creative, digital and performing arts.

The Board is interested in committed individuals who have the time and interest to devote to the role. Ideal candidates will have prior experience as a Non-Executive Director, Trustee or School Governor, and a professional portfolio demonstrating the skills and experience required to hold leaders to account, inspire Trustees and staff, and support the Group to deliver its vision.

The following characteristics, knowledge and experience (or commitment to gain them) would be advantageous to the role of chair:

• High level of understanding and interest in the issues of education and MATs and a commitment to the values and principles of the MAT
• Strong business and financial acumen with experience of committee work
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills with proven leadership skills
• Strong organisational skills and an ability to understand complex strategic issues, analyse and resolve difficult problems
• Sound, independent judgement, common sense and diplomacy, exercising high standards of personal integrity and probity
• Politically astute, with the ability to grasp relevant issues and understand relationships between interested parties
• A clear understanding, and acceptance, of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of Trustees, demonstrated through a sound knowledge of governance
• Resilience with sufficient time and commitment to fulfil the role

Trustees

The BOA Group is now seeking a new Trustee to join its Board.

Fundamentally, all candidates must have the ability to:

• Think strategically and can contribute to the development of the Group
• Listen, reflect and learn from a range of viewpoints
• Analyse and interpret data and statistics
• Confidently ask questions and challenge leaders in an appropriate way

First-time non-executives are welcome to apply provided they can demonstrate a clear understanding of the governance role. The Board is looking for committed individuals from the local community, and from all walks of life and backgrounds, who can share their knowledge, experience, expertise and skills to support the Group's and the young people they serve.

The Board is currently comprised of the following individuals:

Jonnie Turpie
Gurdip Bhangoo
Julian Widdows
Kevin Mattinson
Leigh Yeomans
Nick Hudosn
Peter Francis
Sarah Wood

This role is unremunerated, however reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Trust Board meets up to four times per year - these are usually on a weekday morning and last for around two hours. The Group has adopted a flexible approach with some meetings conducted in person at one of the BOA Group academies and other meetings conducted virtually. Trustees (including the Chair) should also visit the academies within the Trust at least three times a year so they can see first-hand how they operate and have the opportunity to speak to pupils and staff. Trustees with expertise in specific areas may be asked to join committees which report back to the main board. This may include academic standards, finance and general purposes or staff nominations and remunerations. The appointment is for an initial four-year term with the opportunity to extend this for a second term.

Safeguarding Notice

The BOA Group is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and it expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review the Group's Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

This organisation is based in Birmingham, UK, and meetings occasionally take place in person. Candidates will therefore be UK-based, and ideally located near to Birmingham. 

The BOA Group's Trustees come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. The Group considers this diversity to be a crucial component of its success, as its Trustees bring a wide range of perspectives into its academies.

The BOA Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.