Silk Heritage Trust
Chair of Trustees
Voluntary role, c. 0.5 day per week
Meetings held in Macclesfield
The Silk Heritage Trust celebrates and shares the extraordinary story of Macclesfield; a story of creativity, industry, and enterprise. After a period of focused work, we are in healthy and optimistic position, with a clear strategic plan and the resources we need to achieve an ambitious step-change in the coming years. Support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund mean that we’re able to look forward to a transformed future at the heart not only of the North West’s industrial heritage, but also the wider international patrimony of textile design and manufacture.
With a new lease in place on Paradise Mill, and a significant opportunity to restore and commercialise the looms and pattern books we hold, we are preparing to make a once-in-a-generation investment in the future. Our goal is to create a unique, integrated visitor experience, with the breathtakingly atmospheric Paradise Mill complementing the wider story of Macclesfield’s heritage and people, as told in the neighbouring Silk Museum. The Old Sunday School building, one of our town’s landmark buildings, will be sensitively transformed so that it will continue to be a popular and much-loved community hub.
We are looking for an energetic individual who can act as a figurehead for the Trust, help strengthen and develop our networks, develop our landmark buildings and gain support for our vision. Our new Chair will bring skills and experience as a strategic leader, community and sustainability champion and entrepreneur. If you share our passion for the regenerative power of heritage and culture, and can help drive our vision, then we look forward to hearing from you.
To request further information or to arrange an informal conversation, please contact david.gooda@navigategroup.co.uk, who is supporting the Trust with this appointment.
Expressions of interest should be received by 19 July 2025.
Interviews are expected to be held in Macclesfield between 21 - 28 July 2025.