We are looking for a new Chair to lead the Museum and our ambitious Assizes for Devizes project

Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society was founded in 1853, and has remained active ever since, adding to our knowledge about the county and developing new ways of sharing that as widely as possible, whether through supporting field archaeology, hosting talks and lectures, or through its publications. One of its principal responsibilities is running the Wiltshire Museum in Devizes.

Wiltshire Museum’s role and reach is local, regional and international. It offers an extraordinary range of activities for residents of Devizes, the surrounding villages, and visitors to the county. Its work embraces learning, wellbeing, research, art and archaeology, conservation and communication. Home to one of the UK’s pre-eminent archaeology collections, it works in partnership with other museums across the region, national and international heritage organisations, academic researchers and tiny children and their families. It wins awards, makes a significant contribution to the local economy, and fosters a sense of place and welcome for everyone.  But it has outgrown its current location, has limited opportunities to develop new income streams, and has potential which it cannot realise without major change.

To meet these challenges, the Museum has developed a compelling vision for its future and the contribution that it can make to the town and the wider county, economic sustainability, and community engagement.  The new Chair will have strategic oversight of these development plans, including the Assizes for Devizes project that will revitalise the former Assize Court as the new home of the Museum and the repurpose its existing buildings as a Collections Discovery Centre.

Development funding from the NLHF has been secured to support the preliminary stages of this project: the next stage is to secure the remainder of the funding to realise the vision. The Chair will act as advocate for the project while supporting the staff and volunteers in maintaining an excellent service for visitors, an innovative exhibition programme, and engaging learning activities in its present home.

The Chair will be a visible and active ambassador for the Museum and its parent society, building on its manifest strengths – the commitment of its staff, the enthusiasms of its volunteers and members, the richness of its collections and the stories they tell – and supporting them to address current challenges and realise future ambitions. The Chair will share a determination to achieve impacts and outcomes for the people and communities of Wiltshire and further afield, a sound grasp of the steps needed to deliver a major capital project, and the sensitivity required to support staff and volunteers through what will be a momentous period of change.

For an informal discussion about the role, contact the Director - david.dawson@wiltshiremuseum.org.uk. Note that we will be holding an informal Information Day on 13 January (see below).

Please tell us a bit about yourself and why you would like to become our Chair by submitting a CV and covering letter or additional information (perhaps 2 sides of A4), or sending in a video or recording explaining your background and why you are interested in the position. Please send send  to hello@wiltshiremuseum.org.uk.

Timetable

Saturday 13 January - Information Day at the Museum. An informal opportunity to see the museum in action, have an informal discussion with our Director and meet some of our volunteers, staff and trustees. Please let us know if you are interested in attending.

Monday 29 January, 9am - closing date for applications

Friday 2 February - preferred date for interviews with members of the Chair appointment panel

We anticipate that the new Chair will be elected at the Board meeting on 22 February and will take up the role in March.

Role Description and Background

For further background, please see the Role Description. See also our Values, latest Annual Report and our current Strategic Plan.