The Royal Academy (RA) was established in 1768 with a mission to promote creativity and the practices of art and architecture, and engage the widest possible public with the creation, enjoyment and understanding of the arts through exhibitions, learning and the exchange of ideas. This mission remains as true today as it was at its founding.

There is no other art organisation in the world quite like the Royal Academy of Arts, which remains at once a dynamic body of eminent practising artists and architects; a leading academy of practitioners, teachers and students; a world-renowned curator of ground-breaking exhibitions; and the custodian of a unique collection of art and architectural works. It is an intriguing juxtaposition of old and new. The RA is proud of its legacy but forward-thinking. It is deeply respectful of its heritage but constantly working to confront, challenge and create anew. It is committed to its founding mission but perpetually evolving. It is a living academy.

The RA remains truly exceptional because of its people. To deliver this impressive programme, it strives to create an inclusive, collegiate work environment, offering meaningful, professional careers to its staff. Through employee training and development, it strives to support every member of staff in developing their career objectives. Its employee networks, equity and diversity groups, and employee council are just a few examples of how it encourages all its colleagues to use their voice and their experience to influence the work it does.

The RA is an independent organisation which receives no government funding. It raises the majority of its revenue through self-generated income from:

• Admission to temporary exhibitions
• Its relationship with sponsors and corporate members, donors, patrons and members
• A donation from the RA’s sister charity, The Friends of the Royal Academy, through which the Friends membership scheme is operated
• Its trading arm comprising catering, retail, publishing, product development

The RA has in recent years also raised significant funds for major capital projects as part of its Burlington Project Masterplan programme. In the financial year 2021/22, total income from ongoing activities was £38.2m with a further £5.1m raised for the Burlington Project. The RA, like all museums and galleries, has been heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and is currently adapting to circumstances of reduced income and visitors. Further information on its activities can be found in its annual accounts and the annual report covering this period, available here. 

The RA's recently published five-year strategy for 2023-2028 lays out a plan which respects the challenges it faces but also honours its founding mission and legacy, affirming its readiness to adapt and evolve. The 2023-28 Strategy is available here. 

The role includes serving on the Royal Academy’s main governing body as a trustee/director; the Royal Academy Council. The individual will also chair the Audit & Risk Committee and be a member (ex officio) of both the Finance & Performance Committee and the Ethics Advisory Group.

The RA Council is the main governing body of the Royal Academy. Its Trustees and Directors are collectively responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Academy, acting in the best interests of the charity, making key decisions and overseeing how it is run. The Council consists of 13 ‘Royal Academicians’, and up to three ‘external’ individuals (who are not Royal Academicians) and the President of the Royal Academy.

The Royal Academicians are practising painters, sculptors, architects, engravers, printmakers and draughters elected by their peers for their distinction as artists. There are up to 100 Royal Academicians who form the General Assembly and a number of Senior Academicians who remain active stakeholders. Royal Academicians and Senior Academicians constitute the membership of the Royal Academy as a company and charity.

There are five ‘core’ Committees which assist Council in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities: Finance & Performance; Audit & Risk; People & Remuneration; RA Schools; and Exhibitions & Displays. Members of each Committee include Royal Academicians and external members with relevant professional expertise.

The Audit & Risk Committee is a committee of General Assembly, which reports its ongoing work to Council and General Assembly. The Committee provides assurance to Council that there is an effective framework in place for risk management and internal controls, including internal and external audit. It also oversees the preparation and review of the draft content of the RA Annual Report and Accounts. More specifically, the Committee’s responsibilities include reviewing/overseeing and making recommendations in the following areas:

• Risk management framework - understanding the key risks facing the RA and contributing judgments on the significance of each risk and the effectiveness of controls, assurance, and mitigating actions
• Insurance arrangements
• Appointment, performance and dismissal of internal auditors and the internal audit workplan
• Health & safety
• Security and maintenance of the RA’s assets, including buildings
• Major capital development projects, working with relevant project boards / steering committees
• Security, care, and conservation of the RA’s Collection
• Appointment, re-appointment and removal of external auditors and external audit plans.
• RA’s Annual Report and Accounts
• Whistleblowing, anti-fraud, and anti-bribery
• Data protection and security

The Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee is also a member, ex officio, of two other key governance bodies. The first is the Finance & Performance Committee, which is chaired by the Royal Academy Treasurer; it oversees and scrutinises the financial integrity and performance of the RA on behalf of Council. The second is the Ethics Advisory Group, which provides advice and recommendations to the Council of the RA, together with the Boards of the Friends of the Royal Academy and the Royal Academy Trust, on the acceptance of potential donations, gifts and sponsorships in accordance with the RA’s Gift Acceptance Policy.

The External Member of Council assumes a critical leadership role within the organisation at a time when the arts in the UK have come under increasingly challenging pressures. This position provides an exceptional opportunity to join the RA and play a key role in driving forward its strategy.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Financial acumen and an ability to understand and interrogate complex financial information and reports
• Professionally gained experience of a commercial approach and successful business practices, including an ability to understand and interrogate organisational performance
• Able to demonstrate an understanding of audit and risk management in an organisation of comparable size to the RA, with an ability to prioritise and focus on key matters in that context
• Commitment to the RA's core mission and a willingness to represent and act as an advocate for the RA in the public realm
• The ability to contribute effectively to board-level discussion and wider policy and strategy development, as well as ‘join up’ issues and discussions across different Boards and committees, with a particular focus on risks, financial and performance elements
• The ability to constructively challenge and hold to account, at the same time as supporting, senior leadership (executive and non-executive), auditors and others
• Commitment to good governance and experience effectively chairing committees or other governance bodies, setting and managing the agenda to focus on key areas for the organisation, promoting high performance matched with high integrity

It will also be important that the successful candidate can interact effectively with Royal Academicians – the artists and architects who form and lead the organisation – and understand their varied perspectives. As one of only three ‘external’ members of Council, they will need to be confident in bringing an objective, external view to those interactions, so the RA can learn from the ‘wider world’. Candidates do not need to have knowledge or experience in the arts but a passion for the sector would be a distinct advantage.

The Royal Academy of Arts promotes inclusion and diversity and welcomes applications from everyone; it is keen to encourage applications from a wide range of candidates. If candidates have any requirement or questions in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please get in touch with via the "Questions and feedback" box below, or mention this in your application.

Rebecca Salter PRA, President and Chair
Michael Armitage RA
Prof Fiona Banner RA
His Honour Judge Tony Baumgartner
Nigel Coates RA
Tony Cohen, Chair of the People & Remuneration Committee
Prof Sonia Boyce OBE RA
Tracey Emin CBE RA
Simon Friend, Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee
Prof Gary Hume RA
Cornelia Parker CBE RA
Eric Parry RA
Fiona Rae RA
Conrad Shawcross RA
Bob and Roberta Smith OBE RA
Emma Stibbon RA
Louise Wilson, Jane and Louise Wilson RA, Chair of the RA Schools Committee

The term of service for external members of Council is two years, with eligibility for re-appointment for two further terms of two years (maximum six years total).

The term of service for the Audit & Risk Committee is usually three years, with eligibility for appointment for another term (maximum six years total). In exceptional circumstances, and where Council considers this would be in the RA’s best interests, the member may serve for an additional period of up to 12 months. As the Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee is a member of the Finance & Performance Committee, ex officio, the appointment to the Finance & Performance Committee matches the term of service on the Audit & Risk Committee.

As the successful candidate is to serve as external member of Council, Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee, and a member (ex officio) of the Finance & Performance Committee, the respective terms of service on Council and the Committees will be considered together and may be adjusted as appropriate.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The importance of equity, diversity and inclusion is a critical part of the RA’s work. You can learn more about the RA’s commitments and approach at https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/page/edi

Fees and Expenses

This is an unpaid, voluntary role, but all reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses will be paid. All Council and committee members have an induction as well as ongoing support in the role. The individual will be covered by insurance relevant to their role.

Time Commitment

Council meets six times per year. The Audit & Risk Committee meets three times per year. The Finance & Performance Committee meets four times per year. The Ethics Advisory Group meets ad hoc or conducts its business by email, to consider specific instances of potential financial support. All these bodies may from time to time hold an extraordinary meeting or ask members for input or advice on a specific matter. Time will be required for meeting preparation and follow-up, and ad hoc involvement in RA business.

Conflicts of Interest and Commercial Confidentiality

This appointment is made on the basis of trust, a key component of which is to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest between this appointment and posts held elsewhere. The RA maintains a ‘conflicts of interest register’ and requires any specific conflicts to be declared at relevant meetings.