join our board as a trustee

Applications to become a Trustee have now closed.

Nonclassical is looking for up to three passionate and enthusiastic people to join our Board of Trustees. This is an exciting and important time in Nonclassical’s journey as we aim to build resilience, grow and look for new opportunities for the future.

With a rich year ahead celebrating our 20th anniversary, it is an exciting moment to join the Board of Nonclassical to support the development of this innovative organisation into our next decade. As some trustees approach the end of their term with Nonclassical after many years’ committed service, we are seeking up to three new people to join our dynamic Board.

who we are

Nonclassical produces and promotes adventurous classical and electronic music, supporting emerging and mid-career artists to develop their careers and creative output by releasing music on our label and promoting it in live and digital contexts. 

We make a direct and positive impact on contemporary culture by enabling work that is not easily categorised to be developed, championed or commodified. We challenge the boundaries of what classical music can be, expanding the voices creating and engaging with it to better represent Britain, adapting the means for its discovery as we see fit. 

Across our work we seek to be accessible, collaborative, discerning, inclusive and forward-thinking. As an incubator and beacon for adventurous new music, we are highly curious, nimble and collaborative in showcasing forward-thinking music, be it with amateur and professional ensembles (UK-wide Contemporary Music for All or Southbank Sinfonia), platforms (I Care If You Listen magazine, Barbican Centre, Sounds Like This, Leeds), Higher Education Institutes (Nottingham University or Royal Northern College of Music’s Centre for Practice & Research in Science & Music) or other partners (African Concert Series or Verbier Festival). 

current trustees

Read more about them here.

• Rune Bech

• Yung-Yee Chen

• Aileen Douthwaite

• Clifton Harrison

• Brian Inglis 

• Karen Lee

• William Norris (Chair)

• Nick Rampley 

• John Richards 

Special Advisors

• Jessica Cottis

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for trustees who can:

• Champion the charity’s mission and vision, with a commitment to fulfilling your duties and responsibilities for effective governance (see here for more information)

• Develop and sustain effective external relationships which support the charity’s mission, through generating income and partnership opportunities

• Act as an ambassador for the organisation, in concert with the Executive team

• Work with colleagues to ensure financial probity and that all resources are focussed on achieving the aims and objectives of the Charity for the benefit of those it supports

• Actively contribute to the organisation’s direction and strategy 

• Establish and maintain strong, effective and constructive relationships with the executive team

We are particularly seeking those with skills / experience / interests in:

• Fundraising/ income generation 

• HR

• Label Management

• Youth Voice

• Helping to raise the profile of and advocating for Nonclassical

• Music and/or wider arts/ cultural sector 

• Charity finance 

• Charity governance 

• A passion for/knowledge of new/experimental contemporary music

the commitment

Subject to board approval, new trustees will be appointed for a first term of three years with the potential for reappointment for two further terms. 

The role is voluntary (unpaid) although expenses including travel and dependent care can be reimbursed.

There are typically four Board meetings per year, in addition to an Away Day. Some Board members are also invited to join one of our committees, including our Artistic, Label, Fundraising, or Finance Committees.

recruitment process

We invite applications by 9am on Monday 29th April 2024.

We are particularly keen to hear from candidates from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the creative industries due to barriers linked to ethnicity, class, disability or gender. 

You can find out more about becoming a Charity Trustee on the UK Government website here or Charities Commission website here.

To be considered for this voluntary role, please complete your application via our Google Form below, detailing your interest in the role and what skills you would bring to Nonclassical. We accept written, audio and/or video applications.

All applicants will be asked to fill out an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form for our evaluation purposes via the above link (not used in the selection process). 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview on Tuesday 7th or Wednesday 8th May (online). Second interviews/informal conversations with other trustees will take place from 20th-21st May.

The final candidate will be invited to observe Nonclassical’s Board meeting on 11th June 2024 (taking place in London or online) with a view to joining formally in September 2024.

timeline summary

• Application deadline: Monday 29th April (9am)

• First interviews: Tuesday 7th/Wednesday 8th May (online)

• Second interviews: Monday 20th/Tuesday 21st May (in person, in London)

• Board of Trustees meeting (to observe): Tuesday 11th June (4-6pm)

• Board of Trustees meeting: Tuesday 24th September (4-6pm)

queries

If you have any questions, would like an informal chat about the role, to receive this pack in another format, or would prefer to submit an audio/video application instead, please contact Miranda Johnson, Nonclassical’s Executive Director (Maternity Cover), by emailing miranda@nonclassical.co.uk. You can also contact the Chair of Nonclassical, William Norris, by emailing william@nonclassical.co.uk.

Thank you for your interest.