The Sainsbury Centre is a radical museum that reconceptualises the role of museums in the 21st century. They aim to transform the way in which people interact with art by integrating art with digital technology and media to create an interactive and immersive experience.
Located on the University of East Anglia’s campus, Sir Robert and Lady Lisa Sainsbury originally donated their collection of over 300 artworks in 1978. This is one of the most sought-after and non-conformist art collections, as it includes art from all around the globe and all periods equally and collectively.
Their annual turnover is approximately £3.5 million per year, and the organisation employs a range of curators, educators, media professionals and operational staff.
Context.
The Sainsbury Centre was looking to recruit three new trustees to help shape its future as a pioneering art museum and cultural institution. As part of its ambitious five-year strategy, the Centre was looking to reinvent itself with new media to continue its legacy as a dynamic visitor attraction. To support this transformation, they wanted to recruit three individuals with expertise in creative industries, media, and museum partnerships.
They specified three particular roles:
Creative Capital – for this role they were looking for an individual who had significant expertise in advertising and cultural engagement, as they wanted this individual to help them remain at the forefront of artistic expression.
Media Brand – this role required experience to help guide them on how to create compelling content that would help broaden the Sainsbury Centre’s global reach and advise the Centre as they were looking to establish a media company.
Museum Partnerships – for this role they wanted the individual to help develop strategic relationships to secure funding and increase visitor engagement.
Cumulatively, these roles were going to enable the Sainsbury Centre’s evolution, ensuring it remains a radical leader in the arts, media, and cultural ecosystem.
Brief.
The Sainsbury Centre sought trustees with expertise in creative industries, media, and museum partnerships, to support their five-year plan. They were searching for specialists in advertising and innovation to enhance the Centre’s visibility, media production and storytelling to aid with the establishment of their own in-house media company, and museum partnerships knowledge to help bring in a larger audience and secure financial stability.
Whilst the Sainsbury Centre wanted individuals with a strong affinity for the organisation, they were interested in a broad national search to find experts and thought leaders in these sectors. The Sainsbury Centre was interested in familiarity with museums more generally, but their primary focus was finding visionaries who could help reinvent the Centre’s approach to art, media and engagement.
In particular, Jago Cooper, Director, stated that he wanted ‘trailblazers in their fields,’ individuals who were innovators interested in challenging the status quo. It was important that these new trustees would bring fresh perspectives and new stimulus to the board to ensure the centre continues to foster cultural dialogue and exchange.
Process.
Overall, the role received 37 applications, and 14 of these individuals were taken forward to interview, with a final 6 placed on the board. The Sainsbury Centre originally only had space on the board for 4 new trustees but they were so impressed with the pool that they asked their University board if they could extend their board by an additional 2 people, which was agreed.
Outcome.
The placed candidates were:
- A Global Engagement Director for a large international charity. This individual also brought expertise in marketing, communications and fundraising.
- An Editorial and Commercial Consultant in the film and journalism industry.
- A Chief Marketing Officer at an art auction house.
- A Vice-President of Marketing for a biotechnology research company. This individual also brought experience from a global software company.
- A Co-Founder of a national LGBTQ+ charity and museum.
- A Head of Art for an animation organisation with previous experience in broadcast media production and distribution.
“The work of the team at Peridot has proven invaluable to the Sainsbury Centre. Their understanding of our needs as an international art museum located outside of London, along with their keen insight into executive recruitment streamlined an otherwise challenging process. With Peridot’s assistance, we were able to find some outstanding new Board members who are passionate about working with us.
The Peridot team’s enthusiasm, adaptability and the positive dialogue throughout the recruitment process was key to the success of our recruitment process. I have no hesitation in recommending them and in particular would like to thank Ellen Northwood for her unflagging commitment during our time working with the team.”
Jago Cooper, Director, Sainsbury Centre
If you’re interested in how Peridot Partners can help your charity recruit young trustees/diverse boards, please contact Clare Chesworth.
