Upswing
Chair of the Board of Trustees
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Join Upswing as Chair of the Board (initially Co-Chair)
Upswing is a producing and touring contemporary circus company creating visually striking, narrative-led work for audiences across the UK and internationally.
We are seeking a new Chair of the Board to join us at a pivotal moment in our development. This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping the future of an ambitious company with a growing artistic profile, expanding touring reach, and a strong commitment to meaningful and inclusive storytelling. As Chair, you will work alongside artists and senior leaders to support bold creative work, guide strategic development, and help steer Upswing through its next phase of growth.
If you are excited by the opportunity to build audiences, and contribute to the future of contemporary circus, we would love to hear from you.
About Upswing
Upswing is a leading contemporary circus company, founded in 2006 by Artistic Director Vicki Dela Amedume. An award-winning Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), Upswing is the UK’s only female, Black-led contemporary circus charity and a distinctive voice within the sector. We are a producing and touring company creating artistically ambitious work that combines physical skill, visual storytelling and compelling narratives. Our productions are designed to reach wide and diverse audiences, touring across the UK and internationally, in both traditional and non-traditional spaces.
Storytelling sits at the heart of our practice. Through movement, skill and imagination, we create work that captivates audiences and sparks connection. Our work reflects a wide range of perspectives, with representation embedded in both what we create and how we make it. Our work extends beyond performance. We are committed to developing artists, contributing to the future of the artform, and building relationships with communities and partners across the places where we work.
Upswing delivers its mission through four interconnected focus areas:
- Our Company – A diverse, values-led organisation where creativity, lived experience and responsibility shape our culture.
- Our Work – Artistically ambitious productions that tour nationally and internationally, reaching audiences from major platforms and venues to communities and non-traditional spaces.
- Our Sector – A commitment to developing artists and practitioners, particularly those from the Global Majority, through programmes, partnerships and pathways into sustainable careers.
- Our Community – Creative engagement that builds connection, broadens access and supports long-term relationships with audiences and participants.
Upswing is a company where artistic excellence and social purpose sit alongside one another, each strengthening the other. Our Board, steered by the Chair, play a vital role in holding this balance and supporting the company to thrive.
Why This Moment Matters — and Why The Chair Role is Important
As Chair, you would be joining Upswing as it enters a significant new phase of artistic and organisational development.
In recent years, our work has grown in scale, reach and ambition with shows like Showdown and The Princess and the Pea. At the same time, we are establishing a stronger base in Staffordshire, developing new partnerships and building our presence within the region.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
We are also evolving our business model to support touring sustainability, deepen our investment in artists, and strengthen how we connect with audiences. Alongside this, we are extending our artistic practice into new contexts, for example through ‘Homemade Circus’, a programme that translates circus techniques into accessible movement, currently being developed in partnership with Parkinson’s UK and local healthcare providers in Staffordshire.
This momentum reflects a company in motion, expanding what we make, where we make it, and who it reaches. Our artistic ambition and social purpose continue to grow hand in hand. To sustain this trajectory, we need a Chair who can support both the creative vision and strategic direction of the organisation, working with the Board and executive team to guide Upswing with clarity, confidence and vision.
If this inspires you, this is an opportunity to contribute to a company shaping the future of contemporary circus, building on our foundations of place and purpose.
The Role: Co-Chair (Transitioning to Chair)
Upswing is entering an exciting period of growth and transition.
We are seeking a Chair who will initially join as Co-Chair, working alongside the current Chair before stepping fully into the role in March 2027.
This role requires someone able to hold both the artistic vision and strategic direction of the company, while also engaging with the responsibilities of governance. You will support the organisation in balancing creative ambition with sustainability, growth and accountability.
What the Role Does:
- Lead effective governance
- Support a Board culture that is focused, inclusive and purposeful, ensuring strong and well-run discussions and decision-making.
- Partner with senior leadership
- Work closely with the Artistic Director and Executive Director to support strategy, organisational development and artistic ambition.
- Support the artistic vision
- Help ensure the organisation continues to develop ambitious, high-quality work and reaches audiences at scale.
- Act as an ambassador
- Represent Upswing externally, building relationships with partners, funders and peers, and helping open new opportunities.
- Develop the Board
- Support a confident, engaged and inclusive Board, contributing to its ongoing development and effectiveness.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for a Chair who brings curiosity, conviction and care, alongside a belief in the value of ambitious artistic work.
We welcome people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. We are particularly committed to hearing from individuals from the Global Majority and disabled people, neurodivergent people and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Experience can be gained in many ways. You do not need to be a circus expert, but you should have an interest in the arts and a commitment to supporting creative work that connects with audiences. At this stage in our development, we are particularly keen to hear from people who can help us deepen our presence and relationships in Staffordshire and the wider Midlands. You might bring strong regional and/or national networks, insight and influence through experience in areas such as civic leadership, advocacy and negotiation, regional or place-based development, or the cultural and creative sectors, particularly where this intersects with producing, touring or audience development. You may currently be, or have been, a senior leader in a public body, cultural organisation, university or mission-led setting.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Above all, we are looking for someone who is excited by the opportunity to help root Upswing more deeply in place while supporting our continued national and international ambitions as a producing and touring company.
You will bring:
- Strategic thinking and the ability to contribute thoughtfully
- Integrity and sound judgement
- Curiosity and openness
- The ability to offer steady guidance and constructive challenge
- Clear and thoughtful communication
- Commitment to championing Upswing’s work
- Willingness to understand and ensure high standards of charity governance
Essential skills and experience
- Knowledge or experience of arts and culture
- Trusteeship or governance experience (or transferable equivalent)
- Experience of leadership and influencing at a senior level
- Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
Desirable
- Experience in the performing arts sector
- Connections to the Midlands
Time Commitment, Practicalities and Support
The Board meets four times each year, alongside an annual Away Day. Subcommittees, including Finance, meet as required. The Chair can expect a commitment of approximately ten to twelve days per year. Meetings are held in a hybrid format, with increasing activity taking place in Staffordshire. This is a voluntary role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed. All Trustees receive a full induction, including governance support and optional training. We are committed to accessibility and are happy to discuss any adjustments to support your participation.
How to Express Interest
If you’re interested in applying for the role of Chair but would like an informal and confidential conversation first, please contact Helga Henry to set this up (helga@helgahenry.com). Helga is working with Lara Ratnaraja, who are both independent arts consultants, and they are supporting our search for a new Chair. One of them will make an appointment to speak with you. We want to hear from you in a way that feels natural. We assess what you say, not how you present it. You may apply with:
- A written statement
- A video
- An audio message
Please keep submissions to a maximum of two pages or five minutes. Please also include a short CV. Tell us:
- Why you are interested in Upswing at this moment
- What you would bring to the role
- What you hope to gain and any support you might need
Send your application to camille@upswing.org.uk. We will acknowledge receipt of your application within 2 working days. You will also receive an anonymous Equal Opportunities form.
Recruitment Timeline
You may apply at any time up until the application deadline of 5pm on Tuesday 1st September 2026. In person interviews will take place on two consecutive days in the week of October 12th to 16th October 2026. These interviews will be held in the West Midlands, most likely Stoke-on Trent. Post interview formalities, including meeting the wider board, formal checks and references and a formal written offer will take place in the second half of October.
First Board meeting: 2 November 2026
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills