Welcome

Dear Applicant,

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is one of the UK’s leading museums, proudly based in Stratford-upon-Avon, and dedicated to sharing the life, works, and legacy of William Shakespeare with the world.  

Entrusted by Act of Parliament, we care for a remarkable range of cultural treasures – from the five Shakespeare family homes to over one million items in our museum, library, and archive collections, including the UNESCO-recognised ‘Memory of the World’ Shakespeare documents. These extraordinary assets give us a unique stage from which to tell Shakespeare’s personal story and to lead a global conversation about why his words still matter today.  

Our reach is already vast. Every year, we connect with millions of people, in person and online. Our award-winning learning and outreach programmes – including the nationwide Shakespeare Week – inspire nearly two million primary school pupils, teachers, and families each year, bringing Shakespeare’s world alive for the next generation.  

Now, we stand at a defining moment in our history. Emerging from a major strategic review, we are reimagining what it means to be a museum of Shakespeare in the 21st century. At the heart of this transformation is a bold new vision: to unite our unique stories, collections, and spaces in creative ways that spark participation, ignite imagination, and bring people together through Shakespeare.  

This new strategic focus will require exceptional care, skill, and forward-thinking governance. We are explicitly seeking a new trustee to help us navigate our statutory obligations within a complex legal, ethical and compliance landscape. Alongside this role, we are also looking for a new trustee to support and steer the fundraising and development work which will underpin our future growth.  

We seek to build a genuinely inclusive Board of trustees and warmly welcome applications from passionate, visionary individuals with fresh perspectives who can help us to redefine what a museum of Shakespeare can be. Together, we can ensure Shakespeare’s story continues to inspire and resonate for everyone for generations to come.  

I look forward to hearing from you. 

Rachael North

Chief Executive