Rivers run like arteries through the heart of our communities and are a source of inspiration, of joy and delight. Thames Festival Trust values them for their natural environment, for their history and heritage, and for the connections they make for us with the wider world. Thames Festival Trust's vision is to increase the appreciation of rivers and their importance to us all; to create and promote river and river-related art, education and heritage events as well as sporting, cultural, community and environmental activities.

The Trust, a registered charity founded over 25 years ago, has distinctive experience, skill, knowledge and a growing network of partnerships which it uses to develop and deliver river and waterfront art, heritage, environmental, and art-based learning programmes. It represents a unique creative platform in the cultural sector providing the connection between rivers and cultural endeavour.

In addition to Totally Thames, a month long festival held each September, Thames Festival Trust also delivers a year-round programme of heritage and education work. Its flagship arts education projects Rivers of Hope and The Story of Water are delivered in partnership with the British Council. Highlighting the value of art-based learning and of placing professional artists in schools, these projects have been applied in over 500 schools all over the UK and in 40 countries overseas.

The main collective duty of the Board of Trustees is to maintain a high-level governance perspective. Key responsibilities of the Trustees include:

• Ensuring that the values and mission of Thames Festival Trust are fully reflected in all its work
• Speaking up in support of the charity's mission and, if possible, using their skills or contacts as appropriate to support the charity’s annual festival
• Engaging with and supporting the charity’s CEO and Senior Leadership Team
• Ensuring that the organisation operates within the law, including in respect of equal opportunities, safeguarding and child protection, meeting health and safety requirements, and comply with its charitable objectives

The Thames Festival Trust is now seeking to add two Trustees to its Board. It is looking for enthusiastic, engaged and collaborative individuals to make a distinctive contribution to the continued success of this unique cultural organisation. The Trust welcomes interest from those with a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, but is particularly interest in those with experience in the following areas:

• Creative and/or leadership roles in arts, culture or heritage; familiarity with events programming, development and delivery
• Exposure to the field of education and experience working with young people
• Connection with rivers and river activities, recreational and commercial; experience in environmental stewardship
• Fundraising / partnership development; commercial and risk management skills
• Digital strategy and delivery experience
• Community building expertise in general and / or a particularly strong connection with London communities

The Trust encourages candidates from the widest possible range of backgrounds and experience who may have an affinity for its work. It is looking for those who will have a strong impact at strategic board level, based on a combination of their enthusiasm, personality and expertise. Prior Trustee experience is not required, and the Trust will provide support to those looking to take on their first non-executive position.

Please see details of Thames Festival 's current Board composition here.

This role is unremunerated and reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Board meets for four formal meetings per year, held in person in London, plus one or two strategic sessions. Many Trustees are also members of board sub-committees focussed on particular aspects of the Trust's development and governance. Sub-committee meetings tend to be online. Trustees attend as many external events as possible, acting as ambassadors for the Trusts’ work, especially during the Totally Thames festival each September.

The appointment is typically for an initial term of three years, renewable in consultation with the Trust's Board Nominations Committee.

This organisation is based in London. Board meetings are hybrid, enabling both in-person and virtual attendance.

Thames Festival Trust 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, Thames Festival Trust may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.