The Federation of British Artists (FBA) is the national centre for contemporary, figurative art, with administration offices and a large, contemporary gallery space (450 sqm2) located on The Mall in central London. A major visual arts charity, the FBA comprises of nine of the UK’s leading art societies:

The Royal Society of British Artists, The Royal Society of Portrait Painters, The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, The Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, The Royal Society of Marine Artists, The New English Art Club, The Pastel Society, The Society of Wildlife Artists, The Hesketh Hubbard Life Drawing Class

The FBA was founded in 1961 by a group of the art societies above with a goal to promote and exhibit figurative art. It manages gallery space for its exhibitions and offers exhibition services, promoting exhibitions and artists to a wide audience and facilitating sales. Its core programme includes annual exhibitions of its member societies, representing a significant artistic heritage that has survived numerous recessions and changes in fashion. The FBA's mission includes educating and encouraging the practice of fine art, as well as developing figurative artists of the future through professional development programmes and exhibition opportunities.

In 2022, the FBA staged 27 exhibitions, selling or commissioning over 600 works, receiving over 14,000 artist submissions, and attracting 40,000 visitors to its galleries. The organisation's priorities for the next six years include attracting new national and international audiences, ensuring resilience and growing income channels, negotiating a lease renewal beyond 2030, and increasing art sales through e-commerce. The FBA aims to broaden its reach through digital channels and improve internal systems and processes to create a vibrant and dynamic centre for figurative art and artists.

The FBA's commitment to promoting figurative art, educating and encouraging fine art practices, and developing figurative artists of the future makes it a significant flagship for the art forms it champions. Its dedication to broadening its reach and adapting to the digital age while remaining resilient and growing its income channels ensures that it will continue to play a critical role in the art world for years to come.

The FBA is led by a Board of Governors (Trustees). Nine Trustees are nominated by the member art society, and there are five independent trustees to cover professional expertise in finance, legal matters, digital and marketing. Michael Portillo was chair between 2010-2017. The current chair is Jonathan Glasspool, who will retire in October 2023.

The FBA seeks an individual who has the vision and experience to place the FBA in the international arena; to lead the organisation with clarity of purpose and provide considered decision making by managing a cohesive board and establishing constructive relationships. The new Chair will especially:

• Lead the board and ensure its effectiveness through clear decision-making
• Ensure that the board operates within its charitable objectives and provides strategic direction for the Charity to achieve those objectives
• Maintain and develop relationships with the key stakeholders for example, the art society presidents and The Crown Estate amongst others
• Support and supervise the Chief Executive Officer
• Act as a figurehead and ambassador for the FBA
• Chair four board meetings per year and the annual AGM
• Meet the president of each art society at least annually
• Liaise closely with the Chair of the Finance and Budget Committee
• Take urgent action (but not decision-making unless authorised) between board meetings when it isn’t possible or practical to hold a meeting

This is truly an exciting time to join the FBA Board as its new Chair, as the charity is preparing to position itself prominently within e-commerce and increase its art sales in the digital world. The new e-commerce website to be launched in the autumn of 2023 will play a key role in this development. The successful candidate will be responsible for guiding the Board towards these strategic goals, driving the FBA's growth and success, and ensuring that the organisation remains a flagship for the art forms it champions.

The FBA seeks a Chair who will bring wealth of experience particularly in growing B2C businesses. The ideal candidate will have a good understanding of digital sales and marketing. They will be skilled in managing stakeholders, bringing people together to reach amicable conclusions, and representing the charity at external functions, meetings, and events. The successful candidate must be a confident communicator and possess commercial experience in order to best represent the charity with its stakeholders. 

In addition to these essential qualifications, the new Chair will have a genuine passion for the visual arts. This could take the form of a personal interest in collecting or creating art, or simply a desire to support and promote the artists and art forms represented by the FBA. The new Chair will have the opportunity to shape the FBA's future, guide its strategic vision, and lead the organisation into a new era of growth and success.

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The appointment is for a three-year term, which may be renewed twice. 

Board meetings will be held at 17 Carlton House Terrace London SW1Y 5BD (i.e. the Galleries). There are four Board meetings per year that last around 2 - 2.5 hours per meeting. Dates in 2023 for the meetings are 27th June at 1:00 pm, 3rd October (AGM) at 2:30pm and 5th December at 3:30pm.