Appointment details

Chair - Arts Council England

Summary

• Organisation: Arts Council England
• Sponsor department: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Culture, Media & Sport
• Skills: Transformation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 2 day(s) per week
• Remuneration: £60,000 per annum
• Length of term: 4 years
• Application deadline: 5pm on 2 March 2026

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   30 January 2026

2. Application deadline

   5pm on 2 March 2026

3. Sifting date

   16 March 2026

4. Interviews expected to end on

   16 April 2026

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is seeking to appoint the new Chair of Arts Council England’s non-executive board.

Introduction from the Minister

Culture enriches the lives we lead and has a vital role to play in the sustainable growth of our economy. The Arts Council is the most significant single actor in supporting and shaping England’s creative landscape and cultural economy.

We are looking for an exceptional individual to lead the Board of Arts Council England as its next Chair. This is one of the most significant and visible roles in British public life. You will be joining the organisation at a critical time with the recent publication of the Independent Review of Arts Council England by Baroness Margaret Hodge.

As Chair, you will be a passionate advocate for the cultural sector, making the case for its vital contribution to our economic growth and social wellbeing. You will provide strategic leadership to the National Council, holding the Executive to account while supporting them to navigate a complex landscape. We need a leader who can balance the need for rigorous governance and public value while pushing forward an ambitious strategic vision and advocating for organisations across the arts and cultural sector.

The Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and ensuring our public bodies represent the people they serve. I strongly encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds - whether from the arts and cultural sectors, the wider creative industries, or other fields of business and public service. What matters most is your commitment to the power of culture to transform lives and your ability to lead with integrity, strategic foresight and inclusiveness.

If you have the vision to guide Arts Council England into its next chapter and the drive to champion our creative nation, I hope you will submit an application.

Rt Hon Ian Murray MP

Minister of State for Creative Industries, Media and Arts

Appointment description

The Chair will be a leader with a proven track record who has strong knowledge of and a genuine passion for the arts, museums and libraries. Candidates should be highly skilled communicators and effective advocates for the Arts Council and cultural sector, to a wide range of stakeholders including internationally. The Chair should have a sound understanding of how Government operates and be confident engaging Parliament and Ministers.

The successful candidate must be prepared to champion creativity and culture in all parts of the country, working to ensure that citizens are at the heart of Arts Council’s decisions. The Chair will also lead on the development of the Council’s post-2030 Strategy.

They will also commit to working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to explore and implement the Government and Arts Council responses to the Independent Review of Arts Council England; spearheading transformation through positive leadership and organisational change and advocating for organisations across the arts and cultural sector.

Beyond these areas, the successful candidate will be passionate about the role the Creative Industries play in delivering economic growth, as well as being a powerful advocate for an arts and culture sector which is accessible to everyone everywhere, with excellence at its heart. 

They will be aware of the need to enable creative people and cultural communities to succeed across England, whether that is in areas where Arts Council England have an established presence as a development agency or where their influence is still growing. The successful candidate will also understand the possibilities open to Arts Council England for new and innovative forms of investment, and the opportunities the Government’s devolution agenda may bring. 

Key Responsibilities of the Arts Council England Chair 

Leadership & Governance:

• Lead a prominent national organisation through transformation, ensuring that change is delivered and embedded successfully.
• Ensure National Council members effectively fulfil their governance duties and maximise impact.
• Maintain a clear understanding and commitment to the Council’s arm's-length operation from the Government.
• Be accountable to the Secretary of State and Parliament for the Art Council England’s work.

Strategy & Policy Oversight:

• Provide decisions, advice, counsel and support to the Executive on advocacy, policy and strategy.
• Support and challenge the Executive and Accounting Officer to ensure efficient and effective resource utilisation.
• Possess a sound appreciation for balancing national overview, strategy and policy with local presence and delivery.

Stakeholder Relations & Advocacy:

• Collaborate with the Government to ensure effective delivery of its priorities.
• Advocate for the Arts Council and wider cultural sector with senior policymakers, elected mayors, local government, MPs, and the media, as well as other key stakeholders domestic and international.

The chair is bound by the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which covers your conduct in the role and includes the Nolan Principles of Public Life.

Location: Meetings generally take place in our Birmingham office, though may periodically be scheduled at other locations around the country, with at least one meeting each year in our headquarters in Manchester.

Term Length: 4 years 

Organisation description

Arts Council England champions creativity and culture across the country. It develops talent and supports artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries to create, curate and present high quality and ambitious work in villages, towns and cities across England. The Arts Council’s  work is guided by the principle that everyone, no matter where they live, who they are or what their background, should have the chances and choices that can allow them to explore and develop a rich creative and cultural life. It does this by making sure that there is greater access to the very best in arts and culture in more places. 

The Arts Council believes that access to excellent creativity and culture not only inspires us, but brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us, helping us feel proud of the villages, towns and cities we live in. In short, creative activities and cultural experiences make life better.

It supports a wide range of different disciplines: combined arts, dance, libraries, literature, museums, music, theatre, visual art, and digital arts. Through a range of funds, the Arts Council provides investment over the short, medium and long-term for individual artists, arts organisations, museums, and libraries.

The work of Arts Council England 

Arts Council England is the development agency for creativity and culture in England. It champions, develops and invests in creative activities and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. The Arts Council supports a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections.

The Arts Council is currently preparing its response to the recommendations of the Independent Review of Arts Council England which will shape its future operation and strategic goals.  

Board composition

Arts Council England is an independent charity, registered with the Charity Commission, as well as an arm’s-length non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Council is established as a distributor of National Lottery funds under The National Lottery Act 1993.

The National Council

National Council is the main governing body, or non-executive board. National Council members are also the trustees of the charity.

It consists of 15 members, including the Chair and the five Area Council Chairs. The Council membership also has finance and management expertise from both the public and private sector, as well as creative and cultural practitioners and managers.

Joining the National Council 

Creative professionals, arts organisations, museums and libraries contribute to people’s joy and wellbeing; they drive local economies; and they maintain our international reputation as a nation of innovators. As Chair of Arts Council England’s National Council, you will play a significant role in shaping the future of our national cultural life.

As Chair, you will gain a unique perspective on the wide-ranging benefits of arts and culture, and deepen your understanding of the sector’s national contribution: the high-quality jobs that Arts Council England’s investment and development work helps create, and the many economic benefits of its work. You will also see first-hand the direct impact of this work on the lives of individuals and the health of communities around the country.

Creativity and culture have always been one of our nation’s greatest strengths and most powerful assets, and the Arts Council will continue to act as a champion for all that all those working in England’s creative and cultural sector do internationally.

Arts Council England has embraced its role in promoting the importance of cultural education for young people, and the social and economic benefits of encouraging lifelong participation for everyone. Taking part in creative activities and enjoying cultural experiences has a measurable impact on health and wellbeing. It allows us to express ourselves by drawing on our own experiences and perspectives to build better understanding between each other and create a stronger sense of community making us proud of the place we live.

The Arts Council is confident about the role arts and culture can play in creating a better world for all of us. In this role, you will have the chance to carry that optimism into a new era for the organisation; to build on the strong relationships it has developed with stakeholders, and to further grow the resilience of the sector and its approach to identifying new funding streams.

How Arts Council England is governed

National Council The National Council is Arts Council England’s main governing body, or non-executive board. National Council members are also the trustees of the charity. National Council is currently supported by five Area Councils which advise it on and promote the work of the Arts Council in the five English regions: London, the South East, South West, Midlands and the North.

Together all Area Councils fulfil a similar role – ensuring that the work of the Arts Council continues to be informed by a diverse range of perspectives from artists, arts organisations, museums, libraries, local authorities and other key stakeholders across the country. Chairs of each Area Council also serve as members of the National Council.

The role of the Arts Council’s National Council is to:

• determine and uphold Arts Council England’s mission and objectives
• be accountable to the Secretary of State for fiduciary matters and delivering the charitable objectives
• agree high level priorities and strategies
• approve Arts Council England’s Grant-in-Aid and National Lottery accounts
• monitor delivery of Arts Council England’s strategy against stated priorities
• advocate for the arts and culture

Collectively the Council is expected to embody:

• artists, arts and culture practitioners and managers
• finance and management expertise, public and private sector experience
• the Chairs of the Area Councils

The Arts Council is strongly committed to building a more diverse council. Its ability to represent England’s diverse national identity and include a range of voices is key to ensuring that the Arts Council’s programmes meet the creative and cultural needs of everyone.

The Executive Board National Council is supported by an executive leadership team, which is led by Darren Henley, the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer. Darren Henley leads an Executive Board which includes two Deputy Chief Executives and four other Executive Directors. The Arts Council’s Executive Board is responsible for developing the long-term strategy of the Arts Council and for the day-to- day running of the organisation. Further details about the Executive Board are available on the Arts Council website.

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Leadership: the ability to set strategic vision and drive forward priorities of Arts Council England, with a strong track record in relevant senior leadership roles.

• Experience: a strong track record of delivery on significant policy issues within the private, public or voluntary sectors, including navigating significant change or innovation.

• Knowledge: a clear understanding of the work, priorities and challenges of Arts Council England and the context within which it operates; and demonstrable expertise of the cultural sector. 

• Judgement: effective decision-making skills with the ability to critically analyse a wide range of information to make clear and objective evidence-based recommendations to support the delivery of Arts Council England's objectives.

• Relationship building: ability to work closely with the executive board and build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Ministers and Senior Government officials and across the cultural sector. 

• Communication: excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect. 

• A demonstrable commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, both at senior and organisational level, ensuring an inclusive culture is felt by all within the organisation; as well as factoring nationwide perspectives into all decision making. 

The successful candidate must also demonstrate their commitment to working with the Department to implement the Government and Arts Council responses to the Independent Review of Arts Council England.

Desirable criteria

Experience as a Non-Executive Chair of an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), cultural or creative industries organisation, large Charity or Public Body.

Application and selection process

About this appointment

Some public appointments are made by the Prime Minister, or the Crown on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Others are made by Secretaries of State or other ministers and are of interest to the Prime Minister.

Public appointments made by or of interest to the Prime Minister

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues
• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a supporting statement
• a short professional biography (150 words)

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

As part of your application, you will be asked to provide equality information including special category data (which may identify your race/ ethnic background or health); you have the choice to opt out from sharing any equality data, by selecting ‘prefer not to say’. We use your personal information and special category data for a wide range of purposes, to enable us to carry out our functions as a government department. 

• The data will be visible to departmental officials for the purpose of managing the Public Appointment Process for which you have applied. 
• Data will also be available to other individuals involved in the process including Government Ministers, Advisory Assessment Panel members and members of the Commissioner for Public Appointments team, and our IT providers. 
• To monitor the diversity and inclusivity of our processes, your special category data may be shared with the Advisory Assessment Panel that is responsible for sifting candidate CVs and interviewing candidates. 
• The Advisory Assessment Panel may use your special category data to help ensure Boards are representative of the United Kingdom. The data will help us understand the diversity of public appointees and to satisfy our public sector equality duty (PSED). You may opt out of this if you so wish by selecting “prefer not to say” for any or all categories, and your application will still be considered. You must opt out before the application deadline closes. 
• If you are offered an interview for a Public Appointment your data may be shared with the employees and Board Members of the Public Body for which you are applying, for the purposes of scheduling the interview, informing you of the outcome and providing feedback after the interview. 
• If you are successful in your application we will share your contact details with the Public Body so that staff can make arrangements for you to start your role.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

• Susannah Storey - Panel Chair - DCMS Permanent Secretary 
• Nishy Lall - Senior Independent Panel Member 
• Benny Higgins - Additional Panel Member 
• Claire McColgan CBE -  Additional Panel Member

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an panel member in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. 

No panel members have declared any significant political activity in the last five years. Benny Higgins has declared that he has expressed his own political views publicly during this period.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. 

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria', we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert. When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert (4 years), with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or ten years in any one post. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the DCMS public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at publicappointments@dcms.gov.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

How to complain to Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

If you are not content with the appointing department’s response you may wish to further complain to the Commissioner at publicappointments@csc.gov.uk.Further information on how the Commissioner handles complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ website https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/regulating-appointments/investigating-complaints/

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy. 

The Department for Culture Media and Sport will use your data in line with our privacy policy. 

Contact details

If you have questions about the role or the appointment process please contact fiona.darcy@dcms.gov.uk or publicappointments@dcms.gov.uk

Attachments

• Candidate Pack - Arts Council England Chair