Forncett Industrial Steam Museum

Becoming a CIO in 2018 marked the beginning of an exciting transition for the museum, from being a private collection to becoming a publicly accountable body.  Achieving Arts Council England Accreditation in 2023 was the next step, moving the museum from an amateur organisation to one that is governed and managed to professional standards.  However, this is only the beginning, and we want your expertise to help us through the next exciting phase of the museum’s development.

Whilst we have considerable engineering expertise amongst our existing trustees and volunteers, we need more business acumen on the Board to help us realise our visitor attraction’s income generation potential.  We are in the process of developing our small retail space, with the support of independent consultancy, and longer term we need your help to ensure our retail operation is profitable and sustainable.  We are also exploring other ways to make use of our facilities to generate income.

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experience.  At this time, we are particularly seeking trustees with skills and experience in the following areas:

• Business management (especially retail, catering and/or events management)
• retail tech / EPoS / KPI monitoring
• customer service
• fundraising
• digital marketing.

However, if you are interested in this role and feel that you have different skills to contribute, please apply, as all applications will be considered.  Industrial heritage sector experience is not a prerequisite.

Forncett Industrial Steam Museum is committed to treating all people equally and with respect irrespective of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Additional information

Number of meetings per annum/time commitment:  6 board meetings per year, plus time to complete additional assignments.  The time commitment is flexible to meet the needs of the individual and the role.  Trustees are normally expected to serve a minimum of three years on the Board, where possible.

Daytime or evening meetings:  evening

Closing date for applications:       5pm, 12 April 2024

Contact details or web link for applicants to find out more:

Download the role description from https://tinyurl.com/FISMTrustee

To apply for this role, please send a CV and covering letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in the role to Dr Rowan Francis, Forncett Industrial Steam Museum, Low Road, Forncett St Mary, Norwich, NR16 1JJ or email forncettsteammuseum@gmail.com​.

Forncett Industrial Steam Museum is committed to equal opportunities and is working to broaden the diversity of its Board.  We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

For further information or to discuss the role, contact Rowan Francis, Chairman, at rowan.n.francis@gmail.com, tel 01508 488277.

We will invite successful applicants to an informal interview with trustees, which will include a tour of the museum, on 28 April 2024.  If you would be unable to attend on this date, please let us know as part of your application so we can make alternative arrangements.