For over 40 years Gabrieli has earned an international reputation as a leading period-instrument ensemble with an outstanding recording legacy and appearances in major concert halls and leading festivals worldwide. Alongside its performance work, Gabrieli has developed a highly acclaimed education programme, Gabrieli Roar, which has opened up the world of choral music to an ever-increasing network of diverse youth choirs across the whole of the UK.

Roar has received much noteworthy industry recognition, including acclaimed recordings of Britten’s War Requiem and Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and a Gramophone Award nomination for its recording An English Coronation, in addition to performances at major festivals and the BBC Proms. 

Gabrieli's work inspires young people to participate in culture at the highest level, side by side with many of the country’s leading musicians. It places young singers at the heart of its work, and in doing so, connects young people to the brilliant world of culture.  

The charity focuses its work within state schools and in many areas of social disadvantage. 25% of the young singers are non-white, and 17% speak English as their second language. It has already achieved outstanding and meaningful engagement with thousands of young people, connecting them with some of the greatest music ever written, through a programme delivered to the highest educational and musical standards.

Roar’s success is due to ambition, passion and a collective commitment to drive significant social change within classical music. Gabrieli wants to expand its model and become the country’s leading provider of choral education for teenagers.

The Chair will help build the Board and executive team to deliver Gabrieli’s ambitious mission both as a performing ensemble and especially as leading music education charity, with a focus in arts equity. The Chair will work closely with Gabrieli's Founder and Artistic Director to lead the charity through a critical period of expansion and realignment.

The Chair will build upon the history of the organisation, and update its fundraising strategy and model in order to keep pace with the charity’s growth. This priority will be understood and championed by the Chair.

Principal responsibilities include:

• Developing Gabrieli’s position in the music industry and music education sectors. Taking the lead on restructuring the Board with particular focus on: Artistic strategy, impact and delivery; Fundraising and development; Financial controls; HR and safeguarding; and Youth voice
• Ensuring that the Board embraces and reflects diversity, equality and inclusion
• Ensuring that Trustees have clear terms of engagement and are regularly evaluated
• Monitoring Gabrieli’s risk register
• Representing Gabrieli externally as an enthusiastic advocate and ambassador
• Supporting a broad development strategy devised with the Director of Development
• Enforcing fundraising law and the guidance set out by the Fundraising Regulator

Gabrieli is seeking a dynamic and creative Chair – with a passion for the arts and a strong sense of social mission - to lead the organisation over the next few years.

There is no preferred functional background for this role, so long as candidates bring senior, strategic-level leadership experience from a commercial or not-for-profit organisation and a strong background in, or understanding of, charity governance. Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance would be of particular interest.

Ideally, this leadership experience will include operating within a growing business or smaller charity. Candidates will therefore have an appreciation of the culture and challenges of smaller organisations in this role, and bring an attitude of flexibility and energetic leadership to the position.

In addition, the successful candidate will bring:

• Passion for the performing arts and sympathy with the social/educational mission of Gabrieli Roar
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate Board Members, staff and volunteers and to bring a wide range of people together
• Personal gravitas to lead a significant national organisation
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities
• Confidence acting in an ambassadorial capacity
• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of Gabrieli
• Broad understanding of the arts/youth/education sectors and current issues affecting them
• Confidence, intelligence and competence in charity fundraising

The successful candidate will have a personal passion for youth education and the arts, understanding that Gabrieli's programming holds the power to deeply transform lives and ultimately enrich society. Above all, they will champion the mission, continued excellence, and future development of Gabrieli, and will ensure the Board focuses on the continued success of the organisation.

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Board meets four times per year. The meetings have traditionally been hybrid, but are moving towards in-person convening. The appointment will initially be for four years, with the option of renewing once and up to a maximum of eight years in total.

This organisation is based in London and meetings will take place in person or virtually. Candidates will therefore be UK-based.