Trustee Recruitment Summer 2021

Would you like to play a role in a charity that preserves a unique heritage asset?

Whitchurch Silk Mill has been at the heart of the local community for over two centuries,
winding and weaving silk through good and bad economic times. Now a vibrant working
museum the Mill continues to produce high-quality silks for all to see and buy and aspires to
be nationally known.

Whitchurch Silk Mill is a 200-year-old Grade II* textile mill on the River Test in the small
Hampshire town of Whitchurch. It is the only example in Britain of a working silk mill open
to the public, where visitors can watch skilled workers operating the machinery.
Whitchurch Silk Mill Trust (“WSMT”) manages this working museum which has the largest
collection of operational historic silk looms and machinery in the United Kingdom. It is also
a beloved visitor attraction and a source of local pride for the town of Whitchurch on the
Hampshire / Berkshire border.

With an emphasis on seeking diverse voices and bringing skilled expertise and experience to
our Board of Trustees, we’re excited to be beginning the process of finding more of the
right people to steer Whitchurch Silk Mill into a bright and resilient future. The Trust is
looking for two Trustees to take the organisation into its next phase of development, as we
recover from the challenges of the pandemic, we aspire to be a centre for heritage silk
weaving with a national reputation.

At the same time, we are recruiting for the new role of Deputy Chair to assist and support
the Chair in providing leadership to the Mill.

The positions are voluntary, and the quarterly board meetings are generally held on
Saturday mornings in person in Whitchurch. Some Board and Committee meetings will
continue to be held virtually even after the end of lockdown, so geography is no barrier to
becoming a trustee, and trustees could be based anywhere but be willing to travel to
Whitchurch for some meetings.

However, the success of the Mill also requires trustees to have a close connection and
intimate knowledge of its history and operation. We are proud of the wide variety of
volunteering opportunities we have in addition to the trustee role.

We are looking for individuals who are strategic thinkers, dynamic and resourceful, have
leadership experience, and who can oversee the successful management of the charity. We
are keen to involve people from all backgrounds and perspectives. Under Charity Law you
must be UK Based. If you are energetic, interested in people and an excellent
communicator, and would be interested in contributing to the success of Whitchurch Silk
Mill, we would like to hear from you, especially if you have the following knowledge and
experience:

• Business planning, development and management
• Advocacy and championing of an organisation or specific issues
• Digital engagement
• Management of commercial operations in a retail, catering or events environment

Download the information pack for more details.

For more information, please contact Laney Thorpe, Volunteer Co-ordinator on 01256 892065 or laney.thorpe@whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk

The deadline for applications is 30th June 2021, 5 pm
Interviews will be organised towards the end of July 2021