Board Recruitment Pack
Join Our Board
Sterts Theatre CIC is seeking new Directors to help guide and shape the future of East Cornwall's creative hub on the edge of Bodmin Moor.
Get Involved
Welcome to Sterts Dynnargh Dhe Sterts
Sterts Arts & Environmental Centre is a dynamic creative hub located on the edge of Bodmin Moor in South-East Cornwall. Our unique 4-acre site is where creativity meets nature at Cornwall's geographical and cultural gateway. Our 400-seat Barn Theatre hosts a diverse range of performances, including theatre, dance, comedy, and live music. Our newly refurbished 60+ seat Studio and Community Hub, opened in April 2025, centres around creativity and community, providing a regular programme of activity and performances for people of all ages.
"On a foggy, soggy September evening on the wetter side of the equinox and the wrong side of Bodmin Moor for some of us, we came a fair old way for our first visit to Sterts Arts at Upton Cross – and drove home happy and glad to have made the effort. The setting is beautiful; the small but vibrant village perched above those deeply wooded valleys to the east of Cornwall which us westerners miss, perhaps more than we realise. The auditorium itself is a triumph of design tucked into a scrape in the hillside. The whole vibe is friendly and community driven."
— Audience Member, September 2021
A Message From Our Chair
Hello, Dydh Da
Sterts is at an exciting and pivotal moment in its history as we celebrate 40 years as a registered charity. In 2024, we took a significant step forward by establishing Sterts Theatre Community Interest Company (CIC) as the trading arm of the charity, responsible for delivering the programme of events and operating and maintaining the venue.
The CIC is half-way through its second full year of operation. We are building on the experience to date to move forward with confidence, purpose and ambition as we develop our business plan for 2027 and beyond.
The CIC Directors are active and engaged, and we are seeking new team members to further strengthen our Board, bringing their complementary skills, lived experience, and professional expertise to help guide and shape the future.
We are really excited to hear from people who have experience delivering arts and cultural initiatives in any capacity.
The Board provides oversight and direction across the full range of activities, including:
- Events & Operations: Health and Safety, licensing, and technical support across our full programme.
- HR & Employment: Human resources and employment across the organisation.
- Premises Management: Asset management, maintenance and repair, and delivery of capital projects.
- Governance & Compliance: Meeting our legal obligations and maintaining good governance.
- Commercial & Financial: Overseeing our commercial and financial performance.
- Marketing & PR: Public relations and stakeholder engagement.
- Artistic & Environmental Strategy: Shaping our creative programme and environmental commitments.
We would especially like to hear from people who have experience in commercial management and funding partnerships in a CIC Director role.
If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please get in touch with Director Sarah Pym at Email Copied .
With best wishes / Oll an gwella,
David Cullen
Chair of Directors
Organisational Structure
What It Means to Be a CIC Director
Sterts Arts & Environmental Centre (CIO Number 1189424) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), and in 2024, Sterts Theatre (CIC Number 15422924) was established as a Community Interest Company (CIC), wholly owned by the charity.
A CIC Director has a statutory responsibility to provide strategic leadership and oversight of Sterts Theatre CIC, ensuring the organisation is well-governed, financially robust, and operating in line with its legal obligations and community purpose. Working collectively as part of the Board, Directors help set strategic direction, monitor performance and risk, and ensure that the CIC supports and complements the charitable aims of Sterts. While an understanding of governance is helpful, we place equal value on sound judgement, integrity, and a commitment to responsible decision-making.
Under Company Law
Director Responsibilities
In particular, you will bring your critical & creative thinking and decision-making ability, offering support and guidance to the other directors and staff, to:
- Legal Alignment
Ensure the CIC operates legally and in alignment with Sterts' charitable objectives.
- Best Interests
Act in the best interests of the CIC and the wider Sterts community.
- Financial Oversight
Oversee financial management, risk, and compliance to maintain sustainability.
- Strategic Direction
Contribute to setting strategic direction and monitoring performance.
- Care & Diligence
Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in your role as a Director.
Commitment & Culture
What We Ask of You
Being a Director is about much more than attending meetings. It's about joining a collaborative, forward-thinking, and supportive team that works together to ensure Sterts Theatre CIC can thrive. You'll get involved in strategic planning, team development and dynamic decision making.
The pace can vary, sometimes calm, sometimes busy, but always with the shared goal of helping Sterts grow sustainably, creatively, and responsibly.
- Board Meetings
Attend six-weekly Board meetings, typically 2 hours each.
- Annual Away Day
Take part in an annual Board Away Day for strategic planning and team development.
- Extra Meetings
Participate in occasional extra meetings, in-person and online, as required.
- Guidance & Insight
Offer guidance and support throughout the year, sharing your expertise and insight.
- Informed Decisions
Engage in discussions and contribute to informed decisions, even when views differ.
- Stay Informed
Read Board papers, reports and relevant materials to stay informed about the CIC's activities.
- Champion Sterts
Attend Sterts events, shows and activities where possible, championing us within your networks.
Next Steps
Ready to Join Us?
If you're curious but unsure whether this is for you, we offer an informal chat with our Chair or another board member to answer your questions.
How to Apply
Please submit a CV with a letter of interest that is no more than an A4 page of why you want to be on our Board of Directors, or a video submission of no longer than 5 minutes.
If you need this information in another format, or if you'd like to have a conversation about the role, please contact Sarah Pym at Email Copied .
We are particularly committed to recruiting a Board that reflects the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and we warmly encourage applications from individuals who are currently underrepresented in arts and cultural governance.