Considered one of the most accomplished and distinctive opera companies in the UK, Opera Holland Park (OHP) produces an annual summer season of performances, staged under a temporary canopy in front of the fabulous remains of Holland House, in leafy central London. With a theatre that was redesigned in 2021, with a seating capacity of 750, OHP's 2023 season features new productions of Rigoletto, Hansel and Gretel and La Bohème, and the world premiere of a new work by Jonathan Dove, Itch. The season ends on August 12th.

Established in 1996, OHP's year-round outreach and education programme Inspire has received international recognition, and its Young Artists scheme has launched significant careers since its establishment in 2012, offering emerging artists a chance to rehearse in a professional environment and perform on a major London stage to a paying audience during our summer festival. From singers to directors, conductors and répétiteurs, alumni return to the company in senior roles as their careers develop. In 2023, 14 alumni are involved across the season.

Each season four main operas are staged across a two to three month period, generally in new productions, together with a song recital series and a variety of co-productions with smaller companies and guest ensembles. The company has developed a reputation for balancing classics with rarities, and has an adventurous production policy. Operas are generally sung in the original language with English subtitles. The resident orchestra since 2004 is City of London Sinfonia. 

Opera Holland Park is independent of public funding. It has several vibrant tiers of supporters including over 50 trusts and foundations and over 1800 members who together raise significant funds for development and perform vital advocacy for the company’s work. The company is directed by James Clutton, CEO and Director of Opera, and employs approximately 20 full time staff, expanding to over 500 in the season, with a further 50 volunteers.

Community and digital outreach is central to Opera Holland Park, reaching over 5000 people each year over more than 100 projects and activities. Throughout the year OHP serves the community in care homes, hospices, shelters and schools. OHP builds the audiences of the future and take music to those for whom a traditional theatre setting is inaccessible. In 2018, the Inspire programme was recognised at the International Opera Awards winning the Education and Outreach category. Many of the innovations OHP has introduced have subsequently been adopted by other companies, from offering audio-described performances and Relaxed Performances to making the theatre dementia-friendly and introducing Discovery Matinees and Schools Matinees during the season.

Until October 2015, Opera Holland Park was a part of, and received financial backing from, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The company became an independent registered charity in October 2015, receiving a significant final grant settlement from The Royal Borough. A new board of Trustees was installed, chaired by Charles Mackay CBE, former chairman of Historic Royal Palaces. There are currently 10 Trustees who also contribute to the three Board subcommittees including a Finance, Audit and Risk Committee; a Remunerations Committee; and a Nominations Committee. Some Trustees are also members of the separate Campaign Board which assists OHP with fundraising activity.

Routine activity will involve:

• Chairing Board meetings (currently four half-day meetings), setting agendas, liaising with board members
• Facilitating an annual half-day strategy session
  
• Chairing NomCo, attending RemCo, and, probably, attending Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee (as the best ways to familiarise themselves with financial matters)
• Regular discussions with the CEO and team
• Interacting with stakeholders and donors

Charles Mackay has led Opera Holland Park superbly over the crucial first years as a Charity, including through the challenging pandemic period. His nine-year term concludes in September 2024, so the Board are seeking to recruit a new Trustee as soon as possible who will step up to the Chair role at the end of the 2024 season. This should afford a good period for overlap and learning about the annual cycle, to meet stakeholders and undertake any prior personal development, for example regarding charity governance.

There is no preferred background for this role. However, the Chair is likely to be able to demonstrate:

• Understanding and passion for the mission of OHP (great opera, great ambience, great values)
• Prior Board experience and demonstrable chairing skills
• Knowledge of the charity sector (cultural sector desirable but not essential)
• Astute financial acumen
• Understanding of working in a small organisation
• Ability quickly to develop trust and affinity with the CEO
• Willingness to be available ad hoc, sometimes informally, to CEO / other senior management
• Fundraising experience is desirable, but not essential

Above all, candidates will champion the mission, continued excellence, and future development of Opera Holland Park, and will ensure the board focuses on developing the strategy for the continued successful development of OHP.

You can read more about the Board here. 

There are four Board meetings per year, which take place in London, and tend to last half a day. There is an annual half-day strategy session. The time commitment will certainly vary over the year and obviously will be more intense during the Summer season, to include regular attendance at performances. The role is unremunerated but will include 2 tickets for each production. 

As Board meetings take place in London, candidates will be UK-based and willing to travel.