We are looking to recruit at least 4 new Trustees, to continue to strengthen and diversify Factory International’s Board. 

The Board has ultimate responsibility for the strategic direction, development, and governance of Factory International, as well as the operational management of the venue.

We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and all age groups to apply. In this recruitment cycle, we are particularly interested in hearing from young people (16-28), Manchester- based individuals, and those from global majority backgrounds.

Board of Trustees - Recruitment Pack (download here)
Expressions of Interest document (download here)

If you are interested in joining us a Trustee please click on the Apply Here button, closing deadline Sunday 24 November. We'll ask for some personal information along with;

• Personal Statement (500 words), including;
     - A brief introduction about yourself, your professional background and lived experience, and why you are interested in becoming a Trustee
    - Your understanding of the organisation’s mission, vision, and values, and how you align with these
   - What do you hope to contribute as a Trustee and how do you envision your role in supporting the organisation’s strategy?
    - A summary of the skills and experience that would be valuable to the Factory International Board of Trustees, in line with the skills and experience being sought (as set out in the recruitment pack)

•   Commitment to Equality & Inclusion (200 words), including;  
   - A statement outlining how you would contribute to fostering an inclusive and equitable Board environment
   - Examples of how you have championed equality & inclusion in your professional and personal life
  - How you would champion and drive the organisation’s Equalities strategy, including ways you could help embed principles into the organisation’s culture and operations

What we’re looking for from our Board members is:

• Understanding and passion for the vision and mission of Factory International
• Enthusiasm and interest in Arts and Culture
• Willingness to ask questions, and challenge assumptions and ways of thinking to help Factory International to continue to improve its practice
• Willingness and ability to apply knowledge and skills to MIF’s development and delivery
• An understanding of and commitment to diversity and representation - in all its forms

We are looking for Trustees that bring substantial experience and knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
− Financial / Accountancy experience - with an interest in joining our Finance and Audit Sub-Committee
− Art and Cultural Leadership, especially of large scale-venue management
− Music industry experience
− Revenue generation and/or a commercial background, with a strong business acumen and focus on driving sustainable growth
− Digital Transformation/AI Expertise

In addition, we are always open to receive expressions of interest from:
− Practicing artists
− Those who represent and bring knowledge of a community currently underserved by the organisation

The role of a charity trustee is to do what you and your co-trustees decide will best enable the charity to carry out its charitable purposes. We would expect you to:
− use reasonable care and skill, making use of your skills and experience and taking appropriate advice when necessary
− dedicate enough time, thought and energy to your role, for example by preparing for, attending and actively participating in all trustees’ meetings
− make balanced and adequately informed decisions with your co- trustees, thinking about the long term as well as the short term
− hold people (including staff, volunteers and fellow trustees) to account for how they carry out their role or use the charity’s resources (this can mean asking probing or challenging questions about information at trustee meetings, or being prepared to say ‘I do not understand what this means’)
− avoid putting yourself in a position where your duty to your charity conflicts with your personal interests or loyalty to any other person or body
− not receive any benefit from the charity unless it is properly authorised and is clearly in the charity’s interests; this also includes anyone who is financially connected to you, such as a partner, dependent child or business partner
− Further detail from the government and charity commission on the role of a trustee can be found here

About Us

Factory International is the organisation behind Manchester International Festival (MIF) and the landmark new cultural space, Aviva Studios – helping to put Manchester on the map as a world-leading destination for art. Producing an ambitious year-round programme of original work and one-of-a-kind events, Factory International builds on the magic of MIF – hosting the Festival every other year at its new home and venues across Greater Manchester.

With our vision to invent tomorrow together, we’ve always got an eye on the future. We’re all about new ways of creating and collaborating to bring you unforgettable art and experiences.

Every two years we run Manchester International Festival (MIF) – the festival of brand new artistic work known world-over, that’s animated and captivated our city since 2007. We’re also training the creative workforce of the future through the Factory Academy, supporting artists to realise their potential, and working with local communities to build our programme.

And we don’t stop at Manchester – we take our work to partner venues and festivals all around the world and create extraordinary digital experiences – inviting everyone to play in our virtual world.

Current members of the Factory International Board of Trustees are:
− Moira Sinclair OBE (Chair)
− Faz Barber
− Pat Bartoli
− Maria Balshaw
− Richard Bell
− Alan Bishop
− Councillor Garry Bridges
− Lamia Dabboussy
− Laura Jordan Bambach
− Jamil Khalil
− Grace Ladoja
− Ibrahim Mahama
− Shaminder Nahal
− Gary Neville
− Ngozi Ugochukwu
− Sharon Watson
− Jo Whitfield
− Cathryn Wright

Further information about Factory International can be found on our website, here: https://factoryinternational.org/about/

Details of Factory International’s annual accounts can be found here: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4023152

Term of Appointment and Commitment
Under the terms outlined in Factory International’s governing document, Trustees are appointed for a term of four years, with a maximum of two terms. A third term may be served if approved by a 75% majority vote of the Board of Trustees.

This is a voluntary, unremunerated, and non-executive position. Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

We anticipate a time commitment of approximately 8 days per year. This includes:
- Quarterly in-person meetings (3 hours each)
- Attendance at an annual away day
- Participation in sub-committee work
Trustees are also encouraged to share their insights and expertise through working groups and to attend key events throughout the year.

How to Submit Your Expression of Interest
If this sounds like an exciting opportunity, we’d love to hear from you! To express your interest, please submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) using the link below, by Sunday, 24th November 2024.

Our Nominations Committee will review all submissions, and we’ll be in touch with shortlisted candidates to arrange informal conversations with our Chair, Artistic Director and Chief Executive, and Head of Executive Administration. These chats are a chance for us to get to know you better, and for you to learn more about our organisation and the role. We anticipate these will take place throughout December 2024 and January 2025.
After these conversations, the Nominations Committee will make recommendations to the Board in February 2025. Onboarding will follow, and new Trustees will officially join the Board at our May 2025 meeting.