Truro Cathedral seeks strategic leaders to help shape its future

Truro Cathedral has launched a search for new trustees and governance members to help it move forward in the next chapter of its life – as a charity dedicated to advancing the Christian faith and caring for its historic cathedral building. What’s on offer is an exciting opportunity to drive strategy and act as a critical friend at one of Cornwall's best-loved and most historic landmarks.

Truro Cathedral makes a major contribution to community life and the economy of mid-Cornwall. It is a stimulating place to be involved in – every year it has around 1,000 services, 150 cultural and commercial events and a quarter of a million visitors. At the other end of the spectrum, it remains a place of sanctuary, sacred music, prayer and reflection, providing pastoral care and comfort to many. It's all down to a committed team of more than 155 volunteers working alongside the employed team.  

Good governance is critical to such a complex organisation and covers vital topics such as finance, commercial activities, heritage buildings, health and safety, safeguarding, fundraising and the arts. With so many different areas to cover, the cathedral is looking for several trustees with varied skill sets to apply.

Dean Simon Robinson says

“Truro Cathedral is changing to respond to the needs, desires and hopes of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This is a significant and exciting time for us as we make plans for the future and prepare to celebrate our 150th anniversary in 2030.

We have a leadership commitment to foster an environment of inclusivity, where people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and needs feel valued. We emphasise common ground, celebrating diversity as a source of strength and unity, and we now need to expand our volunteer governance team - charity trustees and committee members. We are looking for people from a range of backgrounds who are enthusiastic, passionate about the cathedral and have professional skills and experience to contribute.

If you share our vision of a welcoming, supportive, holy place that actively and warmly extends God’s love to all in our community and wants to help the cathedral succeed in the next period of its history, we would like to hear from you.”

There are two types of opportunities available – charity trustees who meet six times a year, and committee members who usually meet 4 times a year. Committee members provide in-depth scrutiny and advice to the trustees on specific topics such as finance, property and health & safety.

Although in-person attendance is preferred, a hybrid option can be available. Induction training will be provided. The roles are unpaid, but the cathedral can pay reasonable expenses to enable people to attend meetings without being out of pocket, in accordance with Charity Commission guidance.

If you would like more information about these roles, please contact Truro Cathedral at volunteering@trurocathedral.org.uk. To apply for one of these positions, head to the Truro Cathedral website to download the recruitment pack and application form: www.trurocathedral.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer

The application process opens on Tuesday 18 February and all applications should be completed and returned by noon on Tuesday 11 March.