ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Appointment of Chair

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES APPOINTMENT BRIEF JUNE 2020

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Appointment of Chair

CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. The role 3. Person specification 4. Terms of appointment 5. How to apply

“Our purpose at the Royal Opera House is to bring the very best of opera and ballet to as many people as possible” Alex Beard, Chief Executive

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Appointment of Chair

INTRODUCTION

The Royal Opera House’s aim is to enrich people’s lives through opera and ballet. Home to two of the world’s great artistic companies – The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet, performing with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House – it seeks to be always accessible and engaging, to develop audiences across the UK and to break new ground in the presentation of lyric theatre. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Alex Beard, the senior executive team and a distinguished Board of Trustees, the Royal Opera House has been through a recent period of great success and achievement. The ‘Open Up’ project concluded in the autumn of 2018, resulting in a redesign of the iconic Covent Garden building with new entrances and foyers, as well as an updated Linbury Theatre. The project has transformed the Royal Opera House into a daytime destination, becoming increasingly accessible to new audiences. Following Open Up, the Daytime and Events programme attracted 35,548 participants – over 10,000 more than the original target. The organisation saw its highest number of visitors to date last season, with 668,000 tickets sold, 30% for £35 or under. Beyond the Covent Garden theatre, over one million people watched ROH Cinema screenings worldwide in 51 countries, as well as 41,000 people and over 1,250 schools taking part in Learning and Participation projects. In 2017/18 the Royal Opera House generated £138 million in income: 33% coming from ticket sales, 27% from fundraising and 21% from other commercial activity. The ROH is a National Portfolio Organisation, supported by the British public via Arts Council England, and a registered charity, receiving donations from those who share its ambitions. THE CONTEXT OF COVID-I9 In March 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic saw theatres across the world, including the Royal Opera House close to the public and instruct staff to remain at home, with the vast majority furloughed. This has had an unprecedented impact on ROH’s ability to deliver its core programme and on all its income streams. At present, there is little certainty as to when the Royal Opera House will reopen; the Executive team are modelling scenarios for resuming the artistic programme in October 2020, at Christmas 2021/22 and at Easter 2021. In each of the scenarios ROH has assumed significantly reduced capacity due to continued social distancing measures. During the closure period, organisational focus has been to maintain and upscale those programmes that remain deliverable – principally streaming performances and repurposing of learning resources for home learners – while accelerating the ROH’s work to develop a more sustainable financial and operational model for the future.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Appointment of Chair

THE ROYAL OPERA The Royal Opera, under the direction of Antonio Pappano and Oliver Mears, is one of the world’s leading opera companies. Based in the iconic Covent Garden theatre, it is renowned both for its outstanding performances of traditional opera and for commissioning new works by today’s leading opera composers, such as Harrison Birtwistle, Mark-Anthony Turnage and Thomas Adès. Some of the world's most famous singers have performed with the Company, including Joyce DiDonato, Jonas Kaufmann, Renée Fleming, Juan Diego Flórez, Angela Gheorghiu, Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko and Bryn Terfel, as well as the late Luciano Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland. The Jette Parker Young Artists Programme, founded in 2001, offers exceptionally talented musicians at the start of their careers a tailored programme of coaching and performance opportunities, as well as increasing opportunities for early-start artists from backgrounds and communities that are under-represented within opera. Many of its graduates are now seen regularly on the international stage. THE ROYAL BALLET The Royal Ballet is one of the world’s greatest ballet companies. Under the directorship of Kevin O’Hare, the Company unites tradition and innovation in world-class performances at its Covent Garden home. It is a beacon in the cultural life of Britain and a driving force behind the development of ballet as an art form. From the Company’s base at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden, today’s most dynamic and versatile dancers come together with a world-class orchestra and leading choreographers, composers, conductors, designers and creative teams to share an awe-inspiring theatrical experience with diverse audiences worldwide. The Company’s commitment to enriching people’s lives through ballet is reflected in the deep relationships it forges through digital and learning platforms and international touring. The extensive repertory of The Royal Ballet follows a unique trajectory from 19th-century classics to the singular legacy of works by Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton and Principal Choreographer Kenneth MacMillan and the compelling new canon of work by Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor, and Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon and visiting choreographers, most recently Crystal Pite and Cathy Marston. Along with innovative commissions and choreographic initiatives by The Royal Ballet Studio Programme and strong links with The Royal Ballet School, the Company continues to refresh and surprise.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Appointment of Chair

ORCHESTRA OF THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House was founded in 1946 on the reopening of the Opera House after World War II. The Orchestra plays for nearly all performances given by The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet on the Main Stage of the Royal Opera House, under Music Directors Antonio Pappano (The Royal Opera) and Koen Kessels (The Royal Ballet). The Orchestra also gives occasional concerts, including a series of annual performances at the Royal Opera House with Pappano. The Orchestra has performed at worldwide venues including Birmingham Symphony Hall, Cadogan Hall, the Vienna Konzerthaus and on tour with The Royal Opera in Japan. In addition to their commitment to Main Stage productions, members of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House play an active role in smaller-scale projects including many with the Royal Opera House’s Learning and Participation Department. As part of the Royal Opera House’s longstanding commitment to reach a wider audience, the orchestra can be heard accompanying The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet for Big Screen events in the UK and cinema screenings transmitted worldwide. They also broadcast regularly on BBC Radio 3 with The Royal Opera. ROYAL OPERA CHORUS The Royal Opera Chorus was created in 1946 for the re-opening of the Royal Opera House after World War II. Known then as the Covent Garden Opera Chorus, it first appeared during December the same year in Purcell's The Faery Queene, staged together with Sadler's Wells Ballet (now The Royal Ballet). Its first full-scale opera production was Carmen in January 1947. Since then the chorus has been the backbone of The Royal Opera, performing in an average of 20 productions each season, in a wide repertory ranging from Baroque through to newly commissioned works. The chorus is frequently augmented by as many as 60 freelance singers when larger productions are mounted.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Appointment of Chair

OPENING UP OPPORTUNITIES The Royal Opera House works across the UK to welcome new audiences and nurture exceptional talent, especially among those from culturally and socially diverse backgrounds who might not ordinarily have the opportunity to participate. This includes going into communities, empowering and upskilling teachers to inspire their students, offering opportunities to taste and train towards a wide range of careers, and collaborating with cultural, educational and community partners to open up the talent pipeline and broaden audiences. Over the past decade, more than 225,000 people have experienced their first Royal Ballet or Royal Opera performance through targeted, low-price First Encounter performances for schools, families, students and ‘hard to reach’ groups. More recently, the Open Up project has enabled new programmes in new public spaces, including free recitals and regular Family Sundays. Teachers from 1,394 schools, 81% outside London, have been supported to deliver ROH national learning programmes since these began three years ago and nurturing young talent remains a priority: with its 27-year track record for excellence, Chance to Dance is building a national presence and influencing systemic change in who has access to ballet and the opportunity to train professionally. A pioneer in developing creative industry apprenticeships, the Royal Opera House has welcomed more than 50 apprentices, of whom 86% have remained employed within the sector, alongside a range of structure work placements and support for careers events.

One successful example of a regional partnership is in Doncaster, where the ROH will work every school over the next three years. Working with the performance venue Cast, the city’s culture development programme Doncaster Creates and its borough council, the Royal Ballet will perform a gala, as well as continuing the ROH Chance to Dance talent development programme.

The Royal Opera House is also Arts Council England’s Bridge delivery partner for Essex, North Kent, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Through research, advocacy and co-investment ROH Bridge nurtures networks, shares learning and fosters innovation within the education, arts and culture sector – particularly in communities where there is limited local provision or experience – based at High House Production Park in Thurrock and working with schools, arts organisations, museums, libraries, heritage sites, and councils.

Royal Opera House Thurrock’s education programme aims to inspire, support and develop the learning and creativity of people of all ages through their engagement with the Royal Opera House and to enrich the cultural life of the local community in Thurrock. In 2014 the Royal Opera House began the Thurrock Trailblazer programme, a Cultural Entitlement Initiative in partnership with Thurrock Council. 85% of Thurrock schools have taken part in the Trailblazer programme, with all secondaries currently signed up.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Appointment of Chair

THE ROLE

Following Ian Taylor's resignation from the Board in December 2019, Lady Heywood assumed the role of Acting Chair. After a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Trustees of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation have now resumed the search to appoint a new Chair of the Board.

Despite a period of sustained success and significant organisational resilience, the next few years will be highly challenging and uncertain for the Royal Opera House and the sector more generally. This appointment comes at a testing time for all arts organisations and the ROH is no exception, with the impact of COVID-19 the ability of the Chair to be calm and resilient in this crisis is of great importance. The incoming Chair will have a key role to play in ensuring the institution is best placed to face these challenges and can continue to enrich people’s lives through opera and ballet, while honouring its core values of creativity, excellence and inclusivity.

Key responsibilities

The Board of Trustees of the Royal Opera House is responsible for the governance of the Royal Opera House and is their ultimate decision-making body. Supported by the Executive team and artistic leadership led by Chief Executive Alex Beard, it is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Royal Opera House’s mission and aims.

The Chair is pivotal in creating the conditions for overall Board and individual Trustee and Executive effectiveness, both inside and outside the Boardroom. Specifically, the responsibilities of the Chair are as follows:

• Ensuring that the Board of Trustees exercises control over the strategic direction of the Royal Opera House,

through an effective planning process, and that the performance of the Royal Opera House is adequately assessed against the objectives which the Board of Trustees has approved;

• Establishing a constructive and supportive but challenging working relationship with the Chief Executive, executive team and artistic leadership, recognising the proper separation between governance and executive management;

• Playing a major role in representing the Royal Opera House externally, as well as building and maintaining successful relationships with key stakeholders, including with donors and patrons, Arts Council England, and the highest levels of Government;

• Supporting the Royal Opera House in its fundraising activity through the use of personal and/or professional networks for the advancement of ROH’s development aims and ambitions.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Appointment of Chair

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The incoming Chair will be leading the Board of this multi-disciplinary organisation comprising of two of the world’s great artistic companies – The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet, performing with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House – and will need to have the requisite gravitas, seniority and bandwidth to carefully manage the organisation’s governance arrangements and to ensure the Board of Trustees is expertly run. The incoming Chair should be able to mentor and challenge the Chief Executive and be a compelling communicator and advocate for the organisation’s activities.

Experience

The successful candidate will ideally bring all or most of the following:

• Proven leadership experience as a main-board executive and non-executive director, ideally with prior experience in a chairing capacity, whether in the commercial, public or not-for-profit sectors;

• Strong understanding of the role of non-executive Chair, with a focus on leading and developing Board members and working closely with the Chief Executive to provide strong leadership to the wider organisation;

• Significant experience of fundraising at Board of Trustee level;

• High level networks and a willingness to use professional and personal contacts for the benefit of the Royal Opera House and to advance the organisation externally;

• Excellent communication and presentational skills, comfortable in an ambassadorial role and appearing in a wide range of public forums;

• Experience at dealing effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including with funders, partners, and the highest levels of Government;

• A deep passion for the performing arts and a belief in the power that the arts have to transform lives and communities;

• An interest in the social, cultural and financial context within which the Royal Opera House operates;

• Commitment to improving diversity and equality across the Royal Opera House and within the wider sector;

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Appointment of Chair

• Strong financial acumen and understanding of strategic planning and resource management;

• Energy, enthusiasm, drive and determination;

• The highest standards of integrity and honesty;

• A demonstrable commitment to encouraging and maximising diversity and inclusivity.

The Royal Opera House is committed to diversity and to providing equal opportunities for all. ROH is especially interested to hear from candidates from backgrounds and communities that are under-represented in the performing arts, including black and minority ethnic, and disabled candidates.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

• The Chair is appointed for an initial term of five years, which may be renewed for a further term of three years.

• The Chair should be prepared to invest the significant time necessary for this role, in the next couple of years it is likely that this would be in the region of 6-8 days per month.

• In addition to the six Board of Trustee meetings each season, the Chair will be expected to attend performances and evening engagements, with some national and international travel.

• The role is unremunerated, however reasonable expenses will be paid.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Appointment of Chair

HOW TO APPLY Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Royal Opera House on this appointment. Candidates should apply for this role through our website at www.saxbam.com/appointments using code BAROB. Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload a CV and cover letter, and complete the online equal opportunities monitoring* form. The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 3rd July 2020. * The equal opportunities monitoring online form will not be shared with anyone involved in assessing your application. Please complete as part of the application process. GDPR personal data notice According to GDPR guidelines, we are only able to process your Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, genetic data, biometric data, health, sex life, or sexual orientation) with your express consent. You will be asked to complete a consent form when you apply and please do not include any Sensitive Personal Data within your CV (although this can be included in your covering letter if you wish to do so), remembering also not to include contact details for referees without their prior agreement.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Appointment of Chair

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