Job Title:

Chair of the South East England Cultural Consortium

Job Description:

The Chair is responsible for establishing and leading the Consortium in:• providing the main focus and channel for debating,representing and developing the whole spectrum of culturaland creative interests in the region• taking forward the actions identified in the regional culturalstrategy• working with regional partners, including the RegionalDevelopment Agency (RDA), the Regional Assembly, RegionalPlanning Body and the Government Office• advising Government on regional cultural and creative issuesand specific related subjects• involving all interested parties through full consultation• assisting improved delivery of cultural services.The Chair will also be responsible for the composition and size of The South East England Cultural Consortium membership. The Chair will have primary responsibility for appointing Board members under Nolan principals and will be assisted in this process by the Government Office. The Chair, in consultation with the Board, will also nominate a ViceChair. In addition, they will appoint any staff employed on RCC business. Currently an Executive Officer is employed on a short-term contract.The Chair will be appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for a term of 4 years with the possibility of review for a further term.

Salary Details:

All reasonable expenses plus a daily allowance

Person Description:

The Chair needs to be someone who can command respect across the region, and should have a general awareness of the cultural and creative industry sectors in the region. A more detailed knowledge of (although not necessarily a close current involvement in) at least one cultural sector and its role in the region is also desirable but it is vital that the Chair should be seen as even handed and engaged with all sectors represented on The South East England Cultural Consortium. The Chair should also have an understanding of the wider picture of social and economic development in the region. He or she should be resident in or work in the region.The Chair should have experience at a senior level in the public, private or voluntary sector or have taken a leadership role in community groups. He or she will need to communicate effectively at all levels and will take the lead in maintaining effective liaison with Government, the RDA, the Regional Chamber and other regional partners including local authorities, the voluntary sector and creative industry interests. Experience of representing a major organisation to senior figures, the media and the public generally is desirable. The Chair is expected to represent the Board effectively to Ministers and key regional partners at meetings and other events, including giving speeches and media handling.The Chair should have a capacity to focus on high level strategic issues and should demonstrate a high degree of drive, determination and initiative. He or she should be able to demonstrate skills in strategic leadership, chairmanship, diplomacy and negotiation and should be committed to the public service values of accountability, probity and equality of opportunity.Currently the annual budget of each RCC is £125,000.

Closing date for applications:

11 October 2002

Recruiting organisation:

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Contact person:

Linda Dworowski

Address:

2-4 Cockspur Street
London


SW1Y 5DH

Telephone:

Email:

Web Address:

http://www.culture.gov.uk

Organisation summary:

In 1999 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, established a Regional Cultural Consortium (RCC) in each of the English regions outside London to bring together the regional cultural and creative interests. The Consortiums are responsible for ensuring that culture and creativity have a strong voice in the regional picture. Each Consortiumis an independent advisory body, drawing in representation from a wide range of interests including local government and the creative industries. The role of the Consortiums is to support cultural and creative interests in the region and encourage a cross-cutting approach. They contribute to competitiveness, prosperity and enjoyment of life in the region. This has led to each Consortium publishing a regional cultural strategy for achieving regional and national objectives. The South East England Cultural Consortium published its strategy ‘The Cultural Cornerstone’ in June 2001. (Copies available upon request).A recent review of the RCCs confirmed that they are highly regarded as champions of culture and a case was made for strengthening their role to give them greater influence within each region. This is being taken forward in a number of ways and includes giving them greater responsibility for implementing their regional cultural strategies, the development of a distinct role in regional data collection and research, which will encompass work on funding streams for use by cultural bodies. We are also exploring way in which they might influence the Lottery Distributors and regional agencies. In addition, the Department is looking at the feasibility of the RCCs being reconstituted as limited companies in order to give them greater autonomy and standing in the regions.Each RCC represents a good cross-spread of the interests covered by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, namely advertising, architecture, the art and antiques market, crafts, design, designer fashion, film and video, heritage, interactive leisure software, museums and galleries, music, performing arts, publishing, software and computer services, sport, television and radio, tourism. The interests in these areas equally encompass the public, private and voluntary sectors’ involvement and is concerned with the whole social, economic, environmental and educational implications of the sectors, amongst others.