The Role

Help us to reach out and shape the future by igniting curiosity in London’s transport.

London Transport Museum Charity Trustee Independent Board positions (unpaid)

London Transport Museum (LTM) is the world’s leading museum of urban transport and part of the TfL family. We create experiences that reveal how transport has shaped our city, develop the skills and potential of young people, promote their safe and active travel and provide an industry forum to debate and shape London’s future.

We explore the powerful link between transport and the growth of London, its culture and society since 1800. By sharing this story of innovation, ingenuity, creativity and design, we ignite curiosity about the world around us and how to shape its future. 

Our collection is Designated Outstanding by Arts Council England. It includes more than 500,000 objects, from locomotives which powered the world’s first underground railway, to one of the most important collections of 20th century poster art.

We are now seeking to recruit to our Trustee Board to support delivery of our ambitious five-year strategy and ‘Future Fit’ vision focusing our direction of work on the areas of content, experiences, people, and growth to secure our long-term financial sustainability.

The Museum is a subsidiary company of TfL with charity status. It has a Trustee Board of thirteen, three of whom are nominated by TfL (via a different recruitment process), ten are independent trustees appointed by the Chair including the Museum Director and CEO. As such, these positions are not open to members, officers or employees of TfL (or any subsidiary of TfL) or the Greater London Authority.

Role specification

You will have plenty of experience of providing oversight and be willing to become a key contributor to our Trustee Board and its Committees. Upholding statutory duties for the effective and efficient oversight of the Museum will be involved, as well as contributing your knowledge and experience to its strategic development ensuring our financial stability through sound investment decisions collaborating with the Enterprise Board.

The statutory duties of the Trustee encompass several key responsibilities. The foremost duty is to ensure that the Museum operates in compliance with its governing document, charity law, company law and all relevant legislation and regulations.

Additionally, you will be tasked with ensuring that the Museum actively pursues its defined objectives as outlined in its governing document. These objectives include advancing public education about the history of public transport in London through the operation and maintenance of a transport museum for the public benefit.

You will ensure that the Museum's resources are utilised exclusively to fulfil its objectives and expected to actively contribute to the Board of Trustees by providing strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed-upon targets.

Ensuring the financial stability of the Museum is paramount, including proper investment of the charity's funds.

To fulfil the Trustee role, you will need to commit to 10-20 days per annum. The main Board meets each quarter with an additional annual strategic away day. Trustees are expected to serve on one of the Board committees (Finance, Audit & Risk, Nominations, Remuneration) or its steering groups (Investment and Planning, Green Journey), to meet the Chair and Director from time to time, to be familiar with all museum activities and outreach events, and to deploy your skills and experience as appropriate. You will be a critical friend to the Museum and advocate its work to stakeholders and supporters at events such as the corporate members reception and annual fundraising dinner.

Candidate Requirements

We are seeking candidates at a Management or Executive level, from a broad range of backgrounds, with a passion for London, its transport, culture, diversity and the future. We are seeking leaders with relevant commercial and cultural sector experience to shape and drive forward the Museum’s strategic direction. 

In line with the statutory requirements and recommendations from independent reviews of the Board’s effectiveness, we are seeking new Trustees who have experience in any of the following areas:

Skills:

  • Digital and Technology
  • Finance
  • Cultural and Collections
  • Property and Major Projects
  • Fundraising and Major Donors

Candidates will:

  • be leaders in their field in at least one of the five skills listed above (essential)
  • have proven experience at a management, executive or CEO level (essential)
  • be able to operate in a high profile, publicly accountable environment (essential)
  • be leaders in their field in at least one of the five skills listed above (essential)
  • be able to actively engage in decision making and to provide effective and robust challenge in a supportive way (essential)
  • provide analysis of reports submitted to the Board that will aid decision making process (essential)
  • have exceptional ambassadorial, interpersonal, advocacy and negotiating skills (essential) 

Candidates supporting the Finance and Audit Committee must be qualified accountants.

You will be fascinated by the challenge and the chance to directly contribute to the heart of the museum’s mission to ignite curiosity to shape the future and to enable people to create positive change in their own lives and communities. You’ll be excited by our content and iconic collections – the red Routemaster bus, the Underground Map, Johnston typeface, posters and artwork, Tube trains and the roundel – and our programmes that make a difference to people’s lives and London’s future.

For a confidential discussion please contact Penna Executive Search: Pete John: pete.john@penna.com or Zara Bruton: zara.bruton@penna.com  

The closing date for applications is Midnight, Thursday 20 June 2024.