Interviews & articles

Ros Kerslake OBE - Governance Now 2019 Speaker Interview

By Cultural Governance Alliance

This year’s Governance Now conference is all about practical solutions to common problems: how to anticipate and plan for the worst whilst delivering the best for your organisation.

In the run up, we caught up with Ros Kerslake OBE - Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund - to hear her thoughts on the challenges and opportunities of ‘good governance’.

Ros Kerslake
Ros Kerslake (c) Jeff Gilbert

On the governance today and in the future

What are the most pressing governance challenges facing the culture sector today

There are a lot of different pressures on the cultural sector right now – political uncertainty, debate over the acceptability of some funders, the relentless scrutiny of social media. Having a robust governance structure is essential to ensure that organisations – large and small - can cope with challenges as they arise.

What can we learn from other sectors - in the UK and internationally - about good governance?

There has been a huge amount of work done on the governance of listed companies in the UK, and while the overall governance structure would be too complex for charities and other third sector organisations the general principles – on things like rotation of boards - are still applicable.


What’s the future of cultural governance in one word?

Important.

On your career

What governance challenges are you facing at the moment and what are you doing to overcome them?

We have just been through a major organisational review which has made significant changes in our structure and ways of working. This means we have had to carry out a comprehensive governance review and are making changes which affect the whole organisation including the Board.


What are the qualities of a good trustee?

A good trustee needs to be interested in and committed to the work of the organisation, but able to maintain an independent view.

We hope you’ll join Ros and a host of other fantastic speakers at Governance Now 2019 — the flagship conference for culture sector trustees and professionals.

Governance Now takes place at the Friend’s Meeting House, London on 8th November 2019. Book tickets here.

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