Home to The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, the Royal Opera House (ROH) brings together world-class performers and trailblazing creative teams to share unforgettable performances with audiences near and far. Its theatres are in London’s Covent Garden, but its work is accessed and experienced across the UK and globally through streams, tours, cinema relays, radio broadcasts and TV output. 

ROH is one of the busiest theatres in the world, delivering over 400 performances and around 1,350 learning events each year. It employs 950 permanent staff and generates a turnover of £135m, attracting 1.5m attendances in Covent Garden and in cinemas, further extended via broadcasting, digital activity and collaboration with touring companies.

ROH strives to develop audiences across the UK and internationally, and to break new ground in the presentation of lyric theatre. As times have changed, it has remained at the vanguard of innovation in the ways in which audiences can experience opera and ballet.  The aim is for audiences to interact, create and engage in ROH's artforms, physically and digitally.

Public service values, and the need to be financially sustainable, sit right at the heart of this ambition. ROH seeks to inspire audiences through exceptional and accessible music and dance, opera and ballet.

The Board of Trustees of Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation is responsible for the governance of the Royal Opera House and is its ultimate decision-making body. Supported by the Executive Team, it is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Royal Opera House’s mission and aims.

The Royal Opera House is seeking up to four new Trustees who are aligned to its mission, share its commitment to Equality Diversity and Inclusion and have the relevant knowledge to specialise in one of the following areas to support the charity in ensuring its future success.

Classical Music: candidates will bring deep professional expertise in the area of classic music, either from a programming, publishing or broadcasting perspective. In addition to advising on artistic programmes and delivery, they will be expected to advise on developments in the wider sector including strategies to extend the reach and value of ROH content.

Public Sector leadership: applicants will bring senior public sector leadership experience and acumen. They will have an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by a high profile, publicly-funded institution in a complex stakeholder environment. They will have a track record of bringing exceptional judgement to bear on complex issues, often without precedent.

Commercial brand development: candidates will have experience of maximising the commercial value and reach of sector-leading brands. This area extends to the development of strategic brand partnerships, new revenue streams and maximising revenues from ROH assets in support of its artistic as well as learning and participation programmes.

Arts Management: applicants will bring senior leadership experience in the arts sector and be able to advise the Board on balancing financial and artistic objectives as the charity looks towards ensuring its long-term sustainability and resilience. Candidates will be expected to have experience of major capital projects and leading significant operational change.

On a personal level, the successful candidates will share the Board's interest in and enthusiasm for ROH's artforms, as well as their commitment to ROH’s goals and values, the importance of exceptional integrity and trust, and an understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Sir Lloyd Dorfman CVO CBE, Chair
Zeinab Badawi
Caroline Britton
Tim Bunting
Lord Browne of Madingley
Kirsty Cooper
Susan Hoyle OBE
Paul Morrell OBE
Indhu Rubasingham MBE
Chris Townsend CBE
Danny Wyler

Alex Beard CBE, CEO

Patrons

HRH The Prince of Wales, Patron
Dame Vivien Duffield DBE, Hon. Vice-President
Sir Simon Robey, Hon. Vice-President

This role is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Board meets six times per year, usually on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning for three hours; going forward, these will be in person. Trustees are also expected to sit on one of the Board's Sub-committees. The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board.

Location

Board meetings are currently held in Covent Garden. Candidates will therefore be UK-based or be able to travel to London regularly.

Diversity

The Royal Opera House strongly welcomes applicants from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. As younger people are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those individuals would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, ROH may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.