Seeking a new Chair for Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums Strategic Board

Download the recruitment pack (PDF, 2 MB)

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) is seeking a new Chair to lead its Strategic Board to support the museum service’s ambitious plans for its nine venues and public programmes. 

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums is one of the country’s largest museum and archive services, attracting around 1 million visits a year. It manages some of the most high profile venues in the North East including two Roman Forts, a Steam Railway, three art galleries and three museums. It has a strong reputation for its work with children and young people and for its community programmes focused on adult health and wellbeing. It is not only loved by local communities but also has a highly respected national and international reputation and partnerships with many of the UK National Museums. 

The new Chair will replace Rt Hon Baroness Joyce Quin, who has held the position since 2017 and has a very successful background in regional, national and international politics including as a current member of the House of Lords. Rt Hon Baroness Joyce Quin said: 

“Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums is a unique organisation encompassing an amazing variety of venues, collections, programmes and experiences. I have found the role both rewarding and fascinating - particularly being able to support and promote its work with children and young people and disadvantaged communities. 

“I’ve met some of the most inspiring, innovative and dedicated people I have ever come across at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and I’m sure my successor will find the role equally as fulfilling.” 

The new Chair will require skills and experience in either executive or non-executive governance, strategic leadership, ambassadorial roles, result-focused environments and working at a senior/influential level with multiple stakeholders.  Applications close on 14 May 2023. 

Highlights of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums’ current and emerging activity include:  

• Warm Welcome – free facilities and drop-in events to support adults with their health and wellbeing. 
• Ways to Play – free family events and free travel for children in partnership with Tyne and Wear Metro. 
• Green programme – events and exhibitions raising awareness about the Climate Crisis and encouraging people to take action (from June 2023). 
• High profile exhibitions and events including: Myth Quest: Monsters & Mortals at the Great North Museum: Hancock (until 3 September 2023); The Late Shows – a late night culture crawl across 50 venues in Newcastle and Gateshead (19 and 20 May 2023) and National Treasures: JMW Turner (10 May – 7 September 2024) at the Laing Art Gallery. 
• Major capital developments at Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend and Discovery Museum, Newcastle. 
• Multaka – a volunteering programme supporting refugees and asylum seekers. 
• Decolonisation - ensuring collections are displayed in an equitable and just way and stories shared are representative of communities and their heritage. 

For more information about the Chair of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums Strategic Board, download the recruitment pack: Chair of the Strategic Board recruitment pack (PDF, 2 MB)