Trustee Vacancies
This is an exciting time to get involved with Cathedral Music Trust. We are growing in reach, ambition and impact, and are now seeking two new trustees to play a vital role in shaping our future:
- Chair of the Development Committee: leading our fundraising and development strategy, and helping us to build new income streams and secure the long-term future of cathedral music.
- Chair of the Grants Assessment Panel: overseeing the Panel’s assessment of applications to our grants programmes, ensuring that our resources support excellence, widen participation and strengthen sustainability across the sector.
As a trustee, you will join a committed Board and leadership team at the heart of our work to transform lives through the power of cathedral music.
Responsibilities of the Board of Trustees
All trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the Trust and for its financial health, developing the organisation’s aims, objectives, and targets in accordance with our governing documents and with legal and regulatory guidelines. Trustees are expected to:
- ensure that the charity complies with its governing documents, charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations, and that it operates within its charitable objectives, and where possible, in accordance with best practice;
- provide clear strategic direction and regularly review the mission, strategic aims, guiding principles, and overall plans for the organisation and progress against objectives;
- ensure the financial stability, probity and sustainability of the organisation;
- safeguard the charity’s reputation and values and adhere fully to the Trustee Code of Conduct.
What does Cathedral Music Trust do?
Cathedral Music Trust is a national charity which supports the work of musicians who enrich lives through the power of cathedral music. Our vision is to create a vibrant cathedral music scene that champions excellence and provides opportunities for people from all walks of life to thrive and develop. We seek innovative and sector-leading ways to support high-quality musicianship in cathedrals and churches, through our programmes, training, advocacy, and research. Our objectives are to support excellence, broaden participation and increase the long-term sustainability of the cathedral music sector. The 2024 annual report and accounts for Cathedral Music Trust and a summary of our 5-year strategic plan can be found in the Publications section of our website here: www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk
Our Royal Patron is HRH the Duchess of Gloucester, and our President is Harry Christophers CBE, founder and conductor of The Sixteen. Alexander Armstrong – actor, comedian and presenter-and Anna Lapwood MBE – organist, conductor and broadcaster – act as our Ambassadors, promoting the Trust’s work and raising the profile of sacred choral and organ music. Alongside our Board of Trustees and its committees, we have an active group of Future Leaders and local volunteers. The Trust employs 9 members of staff, some of whom work part-time, led by the CEO, Jonathan Mayes.
Since 2020, the Trust has disbursed an average of around £500,000 per annum to Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedral, church and collegiate chapel choirs in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
About the roles
All applicants will be expected to commit to the charity and its strategic objectives, to dedicate sufficient time to discharge their responsibilities, and to share with other Board members a love of cathedral music.
The role and responsibilities of the two trustee roles we are seeking to fill can be found in the download the pdf here.
How do I apply?
If you are interested in helping us to pursue our mission of transforming lives through cathedral music, then we want to hear from you. We are committed to expanding the diversity of our Board and encourage applications from candidates currently underrepresented and who might broaden the Board’s perspective in relation to: ethnicity, age, gender, disability, socio-economic background and regional representation.
If you would like an informal discussion before deciding whether to apply, please contact:
Chair of the Board, Jonathan Macdonald – [email protected] (particularly for enquiries relating to the Chair of the Development Committee),
or Chair of the Programmes Committee and Interim Chair of the GAP, Isobel Pinder – [email protected] – (particularly for enquiries relating to the Chair of the GAP).
Applications in the form of a short expression of interest and a CV, together with the names of two referees, should be sent to Jonathan Macdonald ( [email protected]) by no later than 5pm on Monday 13 October 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in-person or online later in October.
