The Stables

For over 50 years, The Stables in Milton Keynes has stood as an iconic live music venue where legends are made, and connections are forged. Founded in 1970 by Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine with a vision to engage the widest range of people with music in all its diversity, The Stables is a dynamic place to find world-class performers playing an intimate gig, a platform to collaborate with artists working in different genres, and a nurturing environment to learn, grow and develop a love of music and the arts. The venue presents around 350 events and 200 education events each year, as well as running IF: Milton Keynes International Festival, a biennial 10-day multi-arts festival which engages people with music and sound in unexpected ways in unusual places. Situated in Milton Keynes, one of the UK’s newest and fastest growing cities, The Stables is at the heart of a dynamic and diverse community where anything seems possible. The organisation’s future plans build on its passion for supporting artist development, commissioning ground-breaking projects and developing innovative ways of engaging new audiences.

Against this backdrop, The Stables is looking for a new Chair to lead the organisation to new heights as it navigates through changes in the music industry landscape at a time of constrained public finances and household spending. The Stables has built an enviable reputation and legacy over the years and has a sound position which can enable investment in its future. As Chair, you will be a lead advocate and ambassador for the organisation’s work in a variety of settings, always living out The Stables values. You will lead, support and enable the Board of Trustees to fulfil their roles as custodians of the Charity’s mission and drivers of its future strategy and prosperity. You will also support the highest quality of governance leadership in partnership with the Chief Executive & Artistic Director at an extremely exciting time.

Candidates will have a passion for music and the arts and the wide-ranging benefits the sector can generate and bring a strong track record of strategic leadership and good business acumen. They will be excited to engage externally and champion The Stables with local, regional and national stakeholders and partners. They will ideally bring an altruistic approach, independence of thought, excellent relationship-building and communication skills, and the energy and drive to support the development of the organisation’s strategic vision for the future.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to The Stables on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference JBHMA. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Monday 11^th March 2024.