Hartlebury Castle has been the home to the Bishops of Worcester for a thousand years and was at the centre of civil and ecclesiastical power and influence in Worcestershire. The appearance of a castle as such began in the 13th Century, although much was destroyed during the English Civil War. Its Bishops and their place in British history are what make the Castle and the project so special. Three Bishops became saints, two were burned at the stake for their faith, one refused to crown Queen Elizabeth I, one was present at the execution of Mary Queen of Scots.

Hartlebury Castle was offered for sale on the open market by the Church Commissioners in 2007. Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust (HCPT) was formed in 2008, to campaign for Hartlebury Castle, its collections and grounds to be brought into public ownership and made accessible for public enjoyment. The Trust took ownership of the site in March 2015 and since then has taken a focused, proactive and pragmatic approach to restoring the fabric of the building and its grounds, enabling more people and a wider range of people to engage with castle’s heritage and historic environment. 

Funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a number of independent grant-making foundations enabled the Trust to restore the fabric of the Bishop’s Palace, upgrade the building’s infrastructure, introduce new galleries, open some of the Castle’s principal rooms to the public, create access for the first time to the wider castle grounds and improve visitor facilities. This includes the creation of a new café and making the site accessible to all. 

The Trust’s day-to-day activities now cover the operation and management of a historic visitor attraction, retailing (on-site gift shop), catering (on-site café), special events, weddings and other private hires and rental property management (three cottages, one farm business tenancy, one fishing lake lease). Going forward, the Trust will be seeking to fundraise in an increasingly challenging and competitive environment in light of the pandemic. The four-year business plan indicates promising numbers and a lot of potential for growth.

The current Chair has been a member of the HCPT Board since 2017 and has led the organisation with vision and confidence through the last three years of uncertainty and disruption due to the pandemic. Their imminent retirement from this post has created an opportunity for the Board to appoint a new leader with the experience, skills and networks to help deliver the vision for Hartlebury Castle, build its profile, and ensure that its visitor offer is welcoming to everyone.

HCPT is looking for an individual with a passion for history and the natural environment, to build on this foundation. The next three years will present the organisation with some significant strategic decisions in how it works with its current partners and stakeholders. HCPT requires an individual with high-level relationship building and negotiation skills who will have the credibility and insight to perhaps reframe those arrangements and build new ones where needed.

HCPT seeks a new Chair with a proven track record of senior leadership. This will be vital to maintaining a strong membership body ready to meet the challenges ahead. The ability to help build and strengthen relationships within government and with new and existing external partners, for example the Worcestershire County Council, will be essential.

Further responsibilities of the Chair will include:

• Providing leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees and enable the Board to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of HCPT
• Developing organisational policies, defining goals, targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
• Ensuring that decisions taken by the Board at its meetings are implemented by the organisation
• Representing HCPT as a spokesperson and ambassador at appropriate events, meetings or functions with opinion-formers and external partners as necessary, to meet the Trust's vision
•  Liaising regularly with the Director to maintain a clear grasp of the charity’s financial position and to ensure full and timely financial transparency and information disclosure to the Board

HCPT is seeking a new Chair who will bring leadership experience in the corporate, public or non-profit sector and will assist the charity in the development of its strategy. The role requires a proactive and influential individual with a strong track record of senior leadership. The new Chair will have excellent leadership and interpersonal skills and will able to commit time to help drive the charity forward to further success. Candidates could be from any sector but previous experience of working in government, finance, human resources or fundraising would be useful. Previous experience as a Chair or Trustee would be highly desirable.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate their strategic leadership experience as well as an understanding of governance and board development. They will provide guidance as well as challenge the Director in order to contribute to shaping its new strategy for the years to come.

The charity would particularly welcome applications from individuals who have networks which would support the charity maintain and raise its profile and spread further awareness. It is also desirable that the new Chair bring knowledge and experience of what it takes to grow an organisation with more formal structures in place by providing the Board with the right tools, support and contacts to assist in the charity's fundraising activities. 

HCPT welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. It is committed to increasing the diversity of its Board and making sure it best reflects the diversity of the communities and organisations it serves. Applications from under-represented groups, such as those from ethnic minority backgrounds and women, 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, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

The Board meets at least six times per year and the Chair is expected to be available for no less than four times in a year and to chair the AGM. It is important that the Chair is able to visit the site and be available to the Director on a regular basis, as and when required. Reasonable domestic travel expenses will be covered. In addition to Board Meetings, regular other contact with Trustees and stakeholders – usually electronic or by telephone – will be necessary.

Location

This organisation is based in Worcester and meetings will take place in person or virtually. Candidates will therefore be UK based.