Treasurer

We wish to recruit a Treasurer/Trustee to help the Board oversee the financial affairs of our charitable company in line with current best practice and provide financial advice to the Board, artistic directors and financial administrator.

Théâtre Sans Frontières(TSF) is a small scale theatre company based in Hexham, Northumberland. Since 1991, the company has mounted over 40 productions in English, French, German and Spanish and toured all over the UK and abroad. We have a long history of creating imaginative, visual theatre that tours to schools, arts centres and community venues.

As well as performance work, we lead drama-focused workshops and activities. We have seen first-hand how taking part in drama not only delights and fulfils, but also increases confidence and self-esteem, sharpens memory and expands imagination. We aim to improve people’s lives through access to high quality creative experiences, particularly in rural communities and/or areas of deprivation. We break down the social, rural and financial barriers to experiencing the arts.

TSF is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee with an active Board of Trustees. Day-to-day activities are led by two artistic directors - John Cobb and Sarah Kemp. Both have a long history of working in professional and community theatre-making and Sarah has recently completed a PhD at Northumbria University on the impact of theatre-making with older people on their creativity, health, and wellbeing.

We do not currently employ any staff. The artistic directors, bookkeeper and financial administrator all work on a freelance basis. TSF is currently scaling back its activity to focus on locally based work, primarily in Northumberland. This is an exciting time of change for the charity. As a member of the Board of Trustees, the Treasurer will play a crucial role in contributing to important strategic decisions about the future.

Time Commitment

Per annum:

• two evening Board meetings of approximately two hours, in Hexham
• up to four Finance sub-committee meetings by Zoom
• preparation for these meetings
• attendance at the AGM, which usually follows on from a Board meeting

The Treasurer is expected to chair the Finance meetings and to present the Annual Accounts at the AGM, drawing attention to the salient points.

Skills / attributes

• good, independent judgement and a willingness to speak his/her mind and if necessary to make difficult recommendations
• understanding of the legal requirements for charity accounts
• ability to analyse proposals, examine their financial consequences and make recommendations to the Board
• ability to explain complex financial information in an accessible way
• strategic vision
• knowledge of the arts sector is not essential – however enjoyment of theatre and the arts as an audience member is desirable