The Royal Opera House Appointment Brief Appointment of Trustee - September 2021 Reference: BAROC

The Royal Opera House
Appointment Brief
Appointment of Trustee
September 2021
Reference: BAROC

An introduction
The Royal Opera House aims to enhance UK cultural life by growing public
enjoyment and appreciation of exceptional Ballet and Opera.
Home to two of the world’s great artistic companies – The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera, performing
with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House – it seeks to be world-leading, accessible and to develop
audiences across the UK and internationally.

The Royal Opera House is one of the busiest theatres in the world, delivering over 400 performances and
engaging with more than 1500 schools through a national learning programme. It employs 850 permanent
staff, a further 2,000 freelance and casual staff, and generates a turnover of £140m, reaching 1.5m
attendances in Covent Garden and in cinemas, further extended via online streaming, broadcasting, and
social media.

The Royal Opera House generates the vast majority of its income from self-generated sources, with Arts
Council England contributing less than 20%. Nonetheless, ACE’s investment is vital underpinning for ROH’s
work and ROH is the largest single recipient of arts funding in the UK.

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Alex Beard, the senior executive team and a distinguished Board of
Trustees, the Royal Opera House has greatly increased public enjoyment and access while sustaining a
world-leading artistic reputation. The ‘Open Up’ project concluded in the autumn of 2018, with new,
welcoming entrances and foyers, as well as a new, state of the art Linbury Theatre. Public engagement was
sustained through the pandemic through a growing programme of online streaming. Following the success
of its Recovery Plan, a full new season will launch in September 2021.

THE ROYAL BALLET

The Royal Ballet is one of the world’s leading ballet companies. Under the directorship of Kevin O’Hare, the
Company unites tradition and innovation in world-class performances at its Covent Garden home. It is a
beacon in the cultural life of Britain and a driving force behind the development of ballet as an art form.

From the Company’s base at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden, today’s most dynamic and
versatile dancers come together with a world-class orchestra and leading choreographers, composers,
conductors, designers and creative teams to share an awe-inspiring theatrical experience with diverse
audiences worldwide. The Company’s commitment to enriching people’s lives through ballet is reflected in
the deep relationships it forges through digital and learning platforms and international touring.

The extensive repertory of The Royal Ballet follows a trajectory from 19th-century classics to the singular
legacy of works by Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton and Principal Choreographer Kenneth
MacMillan and the compelling new canon of work by Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor, and
Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon and visiting choreographers, most recently Crystal Pite and Cathy
Marston. Along with innovative commissions and choreographic initiatives by The Royal Ballet Studio
Programme and strong links with The Royal Ballet School, the Company continues to refresh and surprise.

THE ROYAL OPERA

The Royal Opera, under the direction of Antonio Pappano and Oliver Mears, is one of the world’s leading
opera companies. Based in the iconic Covent Garden theatre, it is renowned both for its outstanding
performances of traditional opera and for commissioning new works by today’s leading opera composers,
such as Mark-Anthony Turnage, Thomas Adès and Kaija Saariaho.

The world's leading artists perform with the Company, including Joyce DiDonato, Angel Blue, Jonas
Kaufmann, Juan Diego Flórez, Angela Gheorghiu, Anna Netrebko and Bryn Terfel.

The Jette Parker Young Artists Programme, is the world’s leading artist development programme and offers
exceptionally talented and increasingly diverse musicians at the start of their careers a tailored programme
of coaching and performance opportunities. Many of its graduates are now seen regularly on the
international stage.

ORCHESTRA OF THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House was founded in 1946 on the reopening of the Opera House after
World War II. The Orchestra plays for nearly all performances given by The Royal Opera and The Royal
Ballet on the Main Stage of the Royal Opera House, under Music Directors Antonio Pappano (The Royal
Opera) and Koen Kessels (The Royal Ballet). The Orchestra has performed at worldwide venues including
Birmingham Symphony Hall, Cadogan Hall, the Vienna Konzerthaus and on tour with The Royal Opera in
Japan.

In addition to their commitment to Main Stage productions, members of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera
House play an active role in smaller-scale projects including many with the Royal Opera House’s Learning
and Participation Department and mentoring members of the Southbank Sinfonia. As part of the Royal
Opera House’s longstanding commitment to reach a wider audience, the orchestra can be heard
accompanying The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet for Big Screen events in the UK and cinema screenings
transmitted worldwide. They also broadcast regularly on BBC Radio 3 with The Royal Opera.

ROYAL OPERA CHORUS

The Royal Opera Chorus was created in 1946 for the re-opening of the Royal Opera House after World War
II.

The chorus is the backbone of The Royal Opera, performing in an average of 20 productions each season, in
a wide repertory ranging from Baroque through to newly commissioned works. The chorus is frequently
augmented by as many as 60 freelance singers when larger productions are mounted. Chorus members
are regular participants in daytime events and Learning and Participation activity such as the broadcasts to
UK Hospital Radio.

CLIENT NAME | ROLE

EXTENDING ACCESS

The Royal Opera House works across the UK to develop new audiences and nurture exceptional talent,
especially among culturally and socially diverse backgrounds. This includes going into communities,
empowering and upskilling teachers to inspire their students, offering opportunities to taste and train
towards a wide range of careers, and collaborating with cultural, educational and community partners to
open up the talent pipeline and broaden audiences.

Over the past decade, more than 225,000 people have experienced their first Royal Ballet or Royal Opera
performance through targeted, low-price First Encounter performances for schools, families, students and
‘hard to reach’ groups. More recently, the Open Up project has enabled new programmes in new public
spaces, including free recitals and regular Family Sundays. Teachers from 1,500 schools, 81% outside
London, have been supported to deliver ROH national learning programmes since these began three years
ago and nurturing young talent remains a priority: with its 27-year track record for excellence, Chance to
Dance is building a national presence and influencing systemic change in who has access to ballet and the
opportunity to train professionally. A pioneer in developing creative industry apprenticeships, the Royal
Opera House has welcomed more than 50 apprentices, of whom 86% have remained employed within the
sector, alongside a range of structure work placements and support for careers events.

Regional partnerships here included Hull City of Culture 2017, Doncaster in 2020 and joining a network of
strategic relationships in cultural cold spots such as North Devon and Teesside. A long-term initiative to
develop outstanding operatic talent from diverse communities has been launched in partnership with
Birmingham Opera Company and the Birmingham Conservatoire.

The Royal Opera House is also Arts Council England’s Bridge delivery partner for Essex, North Kent,
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Through research, advocacy and co-investment ROH Bridge nurtures
networks, shares learning and fosters innovation within the education, arts and culture sector – particularly
in communities where there is limited local provision or experience – based at High House Production Park
in Thurrock and working with schools, arts organisations, museums, libraries, heritage sites, and councils.

Royal Opera House Thurrock’s education programme aims to inspire, support and develop the learning and
creativity of people of all ages through their engagement with the Royal Opera House and to enrich the
cultural life of the local community in Thurrock. In 2014 the Royal Opera House began the Thurrock
Trailblazer programme, a Cultural Entitlement Initiative in partnership with Thurrock Council. 85% of
Thurrock schools have taken part in the Trailblazer programme, with all secondaries currently signed up.

The role
The Royal Opera House aims to enhance UK cultural life by bringing the public enjoyment and appreciation
on exceptional Opera and Ballet. Home to two of the world’s great artistic companies – The Royal Ballet and
The Royal Opera, performing with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House – we seek to be always
accessible and engaging, to develop audiences across the UK and to break new ground in the presentation
of lyric theatre.

Our main corporate entity is Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a registered charitable
company limited by guarantee. Royal Opera House Enterprises Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary, which
carries on trading activities that fall outside the primary charitable purpose of the Royal Opera House.

The Board of Trustees of Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation is responsible for the governance
of the Royal Opera House and is our ultimate decision-making body. Supported by the Executive Team, it is
responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Royal Opera House’s mission and aims.

The Royal Opera House is seeking a trustee with a background as a senior finance professional to join the
board of trustees with the view to Chairing the Audit and Risk committee. The audit and risk committee
helps the Trustees meet their responsibility for the effectiveness of internal controls, risk management and
health and safety. The terms of reference of the committee can be provided for interested candidates.

Person specification
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

   •    Proven leadership in large and complex organisations in the private or public sector, with board-
        level and preferably non-executive experience.
   •    Senior level financial leadership as well as a solid understanding of risk management.
   •    Financial audit experience., with the professional gravitas to guide fellow trustees through
        technical accounting and reporting issues.
   •    An understanding of the key challenges faced by the arts sector and the ability to bring their
        experience to bear on these challenges.
   •    Experience of chairing committee meetings.
   •    The ability to contribute to the strategic direction of a complex organization with multiple
        stakeholders working towards the vision and creative mission of the company.
   •    A sound knowledge of UK corporate governance.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

   •    Interest in and enthusiasm for our artforms.
   •    Commitment to ROH’s goals and values (Respect, Be Open and Value the highest standards.)
   •    Exceptional integrity and trust.
   •    Understanding of and personal commitment to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

We actively encourage applications from people from under-represented groups,
including ethnically diverse and disabled people, and value the positive impact that difference has
on our work.

Terms of appointment
The Board of Trustees meets six times a year with the addition of one away day and the Audit and Risk
committee normally meets six times a year.

Including time for preparing for meetings, ad hoc interactions with the trustees, and executive, internal and
external auditors and other activities, the expected time commitment is 1 day per month.

This role is not remunerated. Trustees are normally appointed for a period of up to four years, which may
be renewed for a period of two or four years, on the recommendation of the Nominations and
Remuneration Committee.

How to apply
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Royal Opera House on this
appointment.

Candidates should apply for this role through our website at www.saxbam.com/appointments using code
BAROC.

Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload a CV and cover letter and complete the
online equal opportunities monitoring* form.

The closing date for applications is noon on Tuesday 5 October 2021.

* The equal opportunities monitoring online form will not be shared with anyone involved in assessing your
application. Please complete as part of the application process.

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Edinburgh EH3 7HF

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