Trustees

Trustees

Sound Roots Closing date: Sun, 27 Sep 2026

Artform: Music
Role: Creative
Contract: Permanent
Remote

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 "> published -

Job Summary

Sound Roots is a registered charity dedicated to supporting, developing and promoting folk, roots and acoustic music. They are actively seeking to expand their Board of Trustees to encompass a wider range of skills.

Job Description

Sound Roots is a registered charity (#1192064) dedicated to supporting, developing and promoting folk, roots and acoustic music. As Arts Council England's leading organisation creating career pathways into these genres, we deliver a wide range of initiatives that nurture artists, connect industry professionals and grow audiences. These include our flagship events, Manchester Folk Festival and English Folk Expo, as well as artist mentoring, The Folk Album of the Year Award, The Official Folk Albums Chart and more. Find out more here.

We also work extensively across Greater Manchester, playing a strategic role in growing the music economy, with a particular focus on our home in Rochdale.

We are seeking at least two Trustees to join our charity in 2026, specifically to join in any of the following essential areas of our work:

- Finance
- Partnerships and Networks
- Music Sector Knowledge and Insights
- International Development

We are particularly keen to receive applications from people of the global majority, LGBTQIA+ people, disabled, neurodivergent and working-class people and people with caring responsibilities. These lived experiences and identities are underrepresented in our sector and have less access to spaces of decision making in our local communities.

We are a registered charity (#1192064) and a company limited by guarantee (#9929705)

Contact: Rebecca Stewart, Managing Director for queries [email protected]

Additional Information
- Salary: Unpaid
- Contract: Permanent
- Location: Remote
- Expenses: available to support travel to meetings and events

Job Requirements

Our Mission: For the public benefit, Sound Roots champions the growth and development of the folk, roots and acoustic music sector in England.

Our Vision: Sound Roots makes a positive difference to the worldwide distribution of the live performance, profile and careers of English folk, roots and acoustic artists by upskilling artists and the industry, creating more and new opportunities for musicians to work in the UK and beyond, cultivating new audiences and strengthening the perception of English folk, roots and acoustic music. All of this directly promotes and educates the public about folk music.

Our Values: English folk, roots and acoustic musicians should be supported to understand their role in the context of the UK and international music industry, enabling them to make informed and appropriate choices about their careers. More public audiences should be introduced to folk, roots and acoustic music.

Job Responsibilities

1) Ensure that Sound Roots complies with its governing document; charity law, company law and all other relevant legislation
2) Ensure that Sound Roots delivers activity which meets its core objectives, including those agreed with core funding partners i.e. Arts Council England
3) Contribute to the Board's role in giving strategic direction to Sound Roots, approving overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against targets
4) Safeguard the name and values of Sound Roots
5) Ensure effective and efficient administration of Sound Roots
6) Ensure the financial stability of Sound Roots
7) Ensure the proper investment of Sound Roots funds
8) Use any specific skills or expertise to help the Board to reach sound decisions

Useful Links

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Trustees
  • Salary: Unpaid
  • Hours: Part time
  • Artform: Music
  • Role: Creative
  • Contract: Permanent
  • Closing date: Sun, 27 Sep 2026
  • Location: Remote

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and a short covering letter (no
more than two sides of A4) explaining:

- Why you are interested in becoming a Board Member
- How you meet the criteria set out in the role description
- The level of commitment you are able to make to this voluntary role

We also ask that you complete and return the Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity Monitoring Form alongside your letter. This link can be found in the recruitment pack.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Rebecca Stewart (Managing Director - [email protected]) who will organise a call with David Agnew (Chief Executive).