We are searching for a new Chair of the Board of Directors for Farfield Mill Ltd, a Community Benefit Society to provide strategic leadership and direction to the Board of Directors. That someone will help us achieve our mission to educate, stimulate, and inspire our visitors and ideally would have experience in the cultural or charity sector.
We’re in a period of growth with a key focus on achieving financial sustainability. The organisation has undertaken a significant period of change in repairing the building, redesigning its Heritage Display and implementing governance and financial processes to professionalise the operation of Farfield Mill. Building on successes of the past several years, the new Chair will be instrumental in supporting its continued growth and sustainability as a thriving organisation. They will also bring an in-depth understanding of the importance of good governance to ensure continued and future success.
The role of the Chair is to provide leadership and direction to the Mill Director and the Board of Directors, holding them to account for Farfield Mill’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Directors, ensuring each Director fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of Farfield Mill Ltd.
The Chair will ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations and to make sure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
The Chair’s role is also to monitor and, where appropriate, challenge the leadership of Farfield Mill, ensuring that the Board functions as a unit and works closely to achieve agreed objectives. The person appointed will work in partnership with the Board of Directors and, the Mill Director to support Farfield Mill’s employees, Resident Artists and volunteers.
Duties of Chair
- Leading the Board to oversee the organisation, and leading the organisation in partnership with the Mill Director.
- Chair Board meetings and ensure that all Directors have the opportunity to have their say. Guiding the Board to make good decisions and keep in mind the big picture.
- Oversee Governance of the organisation – Complete or delegate the Compliance Audit, ensure that all the relevant policies are in place and are reviewed in line with the review schedule (this may be annually or every 2-3 years)
- Make sure the sub-committees are running effectively and there are Chairs for each of them.
- Work with the Society Secretary to ensure that the meeting timetable works and that all papers are submitted in line with calendar deadlines for the Board meetings.
- Ensure the Annual Audit is conducted and write the introduction to the Annual Report.
- Work with the Society Secretary to ensure the AGM arrangements are effective and inclusive Chair the AGM and give a report at the beginning to the AGM.
- Work with the Mill Director to ensure there is close collaboration between the Mill Director and the Board. Conduct the Mill Director’s annual appraisal and have regular meetings – every 1-2 months, to have oversight of operations at the Mill
- Lead Strategic thinking/reviews by the Board to provide a steer to the Mill Director for operational matters at the Mill.
- Build a diverse Board and cultivate productive relationships to create a high performing team. Harness the range of skills, experience and energy to create a high performing team.
- Network with and encourage participation by all stakeholders of the Mill – staff, Resident Artists, volunteers, Members and those others interested in textiles
- Provide support to other Board Directors if/when they have major issues to deal with on behalf of the Board, eg waste treatment plant.
Additional information
Number of meetings per annum/time commitment: In person – 4 Board meetings per year plus 1 governance meeting and AGM. Also committee meetings prior to Board meetings held on Zoom and 1-2 hours
Daytime or evening meetings: In person meetings during day, Zoom meetings can be during the day or evening.
Closing date for applications: 28 February 2025
Contact details or web link for applicants to find out more: https://www.farfieldmill.org/about/jobs-volunteering/