National Centre for Music searches for a Chair and Trustees
14 April 2025
As the exciting plans for a new National Centre for Music (NCM) at the former Royal High School progress, the team are searching for a Chair and Board of Trustees to help bring this iconic, cultural destination to life.
In addition, NCM Creative Director, Jenny Jamison’s role has now been expanded to incorporate the role of Chief Executive, to ensure strong leadership and seamless integration between both the creative vision and operational management of the venue.
From its home in the former Royal High School building on Calton Hill in Edinburgh, the National Centre for Music will become an energising force in Scotland’s music sector. Through a variety of programmes and partnerships, the centre will nurture and celebrate music making from across Scotland. It will present a striking programme of music – across all genres – for audiences to enjoy within a spectacular location, as well as supporting artists and organisations to develop new projects, skills, networks and profile. Nestled within two acres of beautiful, landscaped gardens, the centre will be open every day for people to enjoy and expand their musical passions.
The National Centre for Music is looking for around four new trustees, including a Chair, to work closely with the executive team to develop and launch the organisation - defining the brand, setting the business model and staff team, establishing business partnerships and ensuring integration and collaboration with the music sector, as well as with Edinburgh and Scotland’s wider cultural infrastructure.
During these early years, there is expected to be five board meetings per year, plus one strategy development day. Given the nature of the project, it’s hoped trustees will offer their expertise in leading working groups and attending workshops.
Carol Nimmo, Trustee of the National Centre for Music and Chair of the Royal High School Preservation Trust, emphasised the pivotal moment in the development. She stated:
“ Jenny's impact as Creative Director has been transformative, driving the vision and plans for the National Centre. Her passion, expertise, and reputation in the music sector make her ideally placed to take this unique project forward, leading both its creative direction and organisational development. ”
In the search for Trustees, Jenny Jamison hopes to find a breadth of voices that reflect the wide range of communities that the centre will serve. She said:
“ As we launch ourselves as a new national player, we need fresh entrepreneurial thinking to build an innovative, resilient organisation. We are particularly seeking candidates with expertise in business development, brand and marketing, EDI (Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion) and finance, and we also want to ensure the music community at large feel represented in our governance. So whether you’re an experienced Trustee or someone who has never been on a board before, if you have first-hand knowledge of the music sector in Scotland or feel truly passionate about what we’re trying to achieve, we’d love to hear from you – and we’ll make sure you feel welcome and supported. ”
A full Trustee Recruitment Pack can be found below. The deadline for applications is 9 May at 1pm.
More Information
Download Trustee & Chair Recruitment PackDownload the Trustee & Chair Recruitment Pack below for the full details.