Susan Royce

1. First of all, about you: what attracted you to becoming a chair/trustee?

I believe that Gandhi was right: if you want change you must be the change and being a trustee did and does seem a good way to be the change I seek in the world. I work as a change consultant in the cultural sector and I felt and feel strongly that I need to practice what I preach!

2. Which organisation(s) do you represent?

I am currently the Chair of Axis and a trustee of Creative and Cultural Skills

3. What particularly attracted you to these organisations?

Axis is the leading online resource for contemporary art and has over 2,500 professional member artists and curators. I believe passionately in the power of art to hold up a mirror to our society, hopefully promoting and provoking a more thoughtful approach to our relations with others and our environment. I was attracted to the idea of working with an artist focused organisation which was using new technology to showcase contemporary practice to the widest possible audience. CC Skills is the sector skills council for the creative and cultural industries. When I first came into the cultural sector 8 years ago after a career in the City I was appalled at the lack of training and development which was available for people working in the sector. I joined the Board of CC Skills to help to change that.

4. Is there anything that would make you an even more effective trustee/Chair?

More time to plan and reflect. The opportunity to learn from other Chairs.

5. What’s the biggest challenge you have faced in your role?

Dealing with an under performing employee. Employment matters are always tough to handle as so many emotions are involved but doing so is especially challenging as a part-time absentee chair.

6. What do you consider the most satisfying aspect of your role?

Growing organisational capacity - seeing staff I work with develop their own skills and ambitions and seeing teams grow in confidence and effectiveness.

7. Do you think there is enough general recognition of the value of the Chair role?

Generally no. The damage a poor Chair and Board can do in stunting an organisation’s growth is relatively well understood but I do not believe that there is a widespread acceptance within the sector in which I work – the arts – of the value of a truly effective Chair and governing body.

8. Have you felt that the demands made on trustees/Chairs have grown over time?

Yes - as a combination of the greater stress on trustees’ legal responsibilities under charity, company, employment, tax and environmental law to name but a few and of the increasing emphasis on accountability and transparency.

9. What do you think is the ideal term of office that a trustee/Chair should serve?

I support a maximum of two terms of six years. Boards need new ideas and new faces.

10. What tip would you give to a new trustee?

Be clear about why you became a trustee and what you want to get out of the role. Be willing to commit to your own development. Take time to learn about the organisation you are governing, the people you are employing and the trustees you are working with.

11. If you weren’t a trustee, what would you do with that time?

Spend more time on my archaeology studies, see more plays and go to more exhibitions.

12. What steps do you take to increase/retain your organisation’s membership?

Axis is, at heart, a virtual community of artists, curators and people engaged in conversations about contemporary art. Quality, peer-to-peer relationships are essential for our success and we work hard to listen to our members and to respond to their needs both virtually and physically.

13. What question do you want to ask next week’s trustee?

How can we help trustees to see that being a trustee is not just a hobby – it is a job, albeit unpaid?

To respond to Susan's question, please click here to go to the Forum section of our website