Chair of the Board of Trustees – FilmBath

About FilmBath

FilmBath/ Bath Film Festival has been a key part of the city’s cultural life since 1990. Renowned for its commitment to diversity, innovation and inclusion in film, the festival celebrates stories from around the globe, champions underrepresented voices, and brings cinema to new audiences in unique and engaging ways.

In addition to the flagship annual festival, FilmBath strives to collaborate with other organisations and festivals for year-round events designed to bring cinema into new spaces and reach wider audiences. An example of this was the new Movie at the Museum strand, part of the Curious Minds festival, which creates unique screenings and experiences in collaboration with local heritage sites, museums and cultural venues.

The FilmBath Team

FilmBath is a registered charity with no permanent staff. The festival is led by a freelance Festival Director, who is responsible for shaping the creative vision and structure of the festival, managing budgets, and reporting to the Board of Trustees. The Director also builds and maintains key partnerships with film and arts organisations, venues and cinemas, and leads on marketing, audience development, and stakeholder engagement.

A volunteer programming committee works under the direction of the Director to select the films shown at the festival. This committee helps ensure the programme reflects FilmBath’s values while appealing to a wide and diverse audience.

Delivery of the festival is supported by a small number of freelance production and technical staff, contracted by the Director, and a team of dedicated volunteer stewards who provide vital support during festival events.

This lean, collaborative structure allows FilmBath to remain agile and sustainable, delivering high-quality programming while nurturing a strong sense of community.

Sector Context

The cultural sector is facing a period of significant transition. Shrinking public funding, increased competition for sponsorship, and changing audience behaviours have created challenges for many arts organisations. Within the film festival landscape, these pressures are amplified by the growing availability of on-demand content and the rising costs of delivery. Yet, this moment also presents major opportunities: audiences are increasingly seeking shared, local, and meaningful cultural experiences – exactly what festivals like FilmBath are positioned to offer. With a strong identity, a collaborative spirit, and a dedicated community, FilmBath is well placed to reimagine what a regional film festival can be in the years ahead.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Chair of the Board of Trustees to help shape FilmBath’s strategic future. This is an exciting opportunity to join at a critical point in our development, supporting the organisation’s ambition to grow sustainably while retaining its distinctive identity and values.

As Chair, you will work closely with the freelance Director and the Board to provide strategic leadership, champion fundraising efforts, and strengthen governance. With a lean delivery model, the Chair will play a visible and active role in helping to secure the long-term stability and impact of the organisation.

You’ll bring experience in business, fundraising and strategic planning to complement the Director’s creative and operational strengths, and have the enthusiasm to work collaboratively towards a shared vision.

FilmBath is at a pivotal moment in its development. Insights from a recent Strategy Day identified key priorities for the Board, including defining the festival’s cultural role within the local and national landscape, strengthening brand identity, and building long-term financial resilience through strategic fundraising and partnerships. The incoming Chair will be instrumental in supporting these developments, working closely with the Director to implement a clear, bold vision for the organisation’s future. The current chair of the board will be available to support handover to the incoming chair.

Key Responsibilities

- Provide strategic leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring the organisation fulfils its charitable purpose.
- Support the Director in shaping and delivering FilmBath’s long-term vision.
- Champion fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation, sponsorship and bid development.
- Ensure good governance, financial oversight and compliance with charity law.
- Act as an ambassador for FilmBath within the cultural, business and philanthropic sectors.
- Lead and facilitate Board meetings and promote active trustee engagement.

Person Specification

- Demonstrable experience in business strategy, income generation or fundraising, ideally within the cultural or charitable sectors.
- Proven leadership and governance skills, with an understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities of a charity trustee.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- A collaborative and supportive approach to working with the Director and fellow trustees.
- Passion for film, cultural engagement, and FilmBath’s mission and values.

Time Commitment

- Quarterly Board of Trustees meetings
- Monthly one-to-one meetings with the Director
- Attendance at key events, including the annual festival and occasional stakeholder meetings
- Participation in sub-committees or working groups as needed

Strategic Priorities for the Board

The FilmBath Board of Trustees has identified several key priorities for 2025 and beyond:

- Clarifying our identity: defining our unique position as a festival rooted in Bath with national credibility
- Strengthening our brand: creating a compelling narrative to engage audiences, funders and the wider industry
- Investing in fundraising: growing our income beyond ticket sales by engaging major sponsors, trusts and individual donors
- Ensuring sustainability: building a delivery model that mitigates key person risk and secures long-term stability
- Deepening community impact: continuing to deliver diverse, inclusive, and memorable film experiences across the year

The new Chair will play a leading role in advancing these strategic priorities, supported by a dedicated Director, a skilled Board, and a passionate volunteer team.