Chair of Trustees - National Justice Museum

The Organisation

The National Justice Museum (NJM) is an independent museum and Public Legal Education provider with a distinctive purpose: to tell the story of justice through time and inspire people to understand their rights and responsibilities. Rooted in Nottingham but with a national reach, NJM brings together nationally significant collections, historic courtrooms and heritage buildings, visitor experiences and education programmes to explore the role of law and justice in our lives, past and present.

NJM engages around 30,000 young people each year through programmes delivered in Nottingham, London and across the North, alongside its national NJM on Tour programme. Its visitor attractions, including the Museum and the City of Caves, provide important opportunities to engage audiences while also contributing to the organisation's financial sustainability and Nottingham's visitor economy. The organisation is supported by a diverse income model, including commercial income, fundraising, grants and Arts Council England National Portfolio funding.

NJM is now entering an important new phase, focused on strengthening financial resilience, growing audiences and impact, developing new partnerships and making the most of its distinctive assets and expertise. With a strong foundation in its heritage, collections and national education work, and supported by a National Lottery Heritage Fund investment through its Fit for the Future project, NJM has significant potential to extend its reach and impact while remaining true to its purpose.

The Role

As our current Chair prepares to step down in March 2027, following a successful decade leading the Board, the National Justice Museum is seeking its next Chair to help shape an exciting new chapter for the organisation. This is a significant opportunity to provide strategic leadership to one of the UK's most distinctive cultural organisations, working closely with the Chief Executive, Trustees and wider team to build on the Museum's strengths and realise its future ambitions.

The Chair will champion excellent governance and provide thoughtful, collaborative leadership to the Board, while acting as an influential ambassador for NJM with funders, partners, government and the wider cultural sector. At a time of opportunity and change, the Chair will play a key role in helping the Museum strengthen its resilience, extend its reach and maximise its impact.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership to the Board and ensure effective governance.
• Build a constructive and supportive relationship with the Chief Executive.
• Guide delivery of the Museum's strategic ambitions and organisational performance.
• Champion inclusion, transparency and effective decision-making.
• Represent and advocate for the Museum nationally.
• Support relationship building, fundraising and strategic partnerships.
• Lead Board development, succession planning and trustee effectiveness.

The Person

We are looking for an experienced board leader who brings:

• Proven leadership at Board level, ideally as a Chair or senior nonexecutive.
• Strong governance expertise within the charity, public or commercial sectors.
• Strategic judgement and the ability to support and challenge constructively.
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Credibility with senior stakeholders and external partners.
• A commitment to inclusion and the Museum's charitable purpose.

We are seeking a diverse and inclusive field of candidates who combine strategic leadership, sound governance, emotional intelligence and ambassadorial skills. The successful Chair will be capable of leading an engaged Board while supporting an ambitious executive team through the organisation's next phase of growth and impact.