Trades House - Chief Executive

The Role

The Chief Executive is responsible for delivering the strategic vision of Trades House of Glasgow, ensuring the organisation fulfils its charitable purpose while strengthening its reputation as one of Glasgow’s most prestigious civic institutions.

Reporting to the governing body, the Chief Executive will provide strategic leadership across the organisation, leading a small, highly committed team and ensuring the House is well-governed, financially sustainable and positioned for future growth.

Key responsibilities include:

• Deliver the strategic objectives agreed by the House and Platform, ensuring progress is monitored and reported through effective governance.
• Lead, motivate and develop a small professional team, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Act as Clerk and principal adviser to the governing bodies, providing clear advice on governance, charity law and employment matters, while ensuring the organisation complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with trustees, professional advisers and external specialists, drawing on their expertise to deliver strategic projects and organisational priorities.
• Take ownership of key strategic initiatives, driving them from concept through to successful delivery.
• Act as the principal ambassador for Trades House of Glasgow, confidently representing the organisation across Glasgow’s civic, charitable and business communities.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with the fourteen Incorporated Crafts, trustees, members, public bodies, charitable organisations, commercial partners and civic leaders.
• Raise the profile of Trades House, increasing awareness of its heritage, charitable impact and contemporary relevance.
• Develop and deliver a clear commercial strategy to maximise income, diversify revenue streams and secure the long-term financial sustainability of the organisation.
• Identify and develop new funding opportunities, including grant funding, charitable trusts, sponsorship, partnerships and philanthropic support.
• Explore new commercial opportunities, including expanding the visitor and tourism offer, increasing the utilisation of Trades Hall and developing sustainable sources of earned income.
• Ensure strong financial stewardship, effective operational management and robust organisational planning.
• Champion the charitable mission of Trades House, ensuring the organisation continues to provide meaningful support to people experiencing genuine financial hardship.

Success in this role will be measured not only by maintaining the proud traditions of Trades House, but by delivering tangible improvements in financial performance, commercial income, external profile, partnership development and long-term organisational sustainability.

What We’re Looking For:

This is a high-profile appointment requiring an accomplished leader who combines commercial judgement, excellent communication skills and a genuine commitment to public benefit.

The successful candidate will have the credibility, confidence and energy to represent one of Glasgow’s oldest and most respected institutions, while leading its continued development for the future.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to engage effectively at every level, from beneficiaries and volunteers to trustees, civic leaders, senior business figures and external partners.
• Significant senior leadership experience within the charity, public, commercial or professional sectors.
• Experience of operating within a regulated governance environment, together with a sound understanding of charity law and employment matters.
• A background in either finance, commercial leadership or law. Candidates do not need experience across all disciplines, but should bring strength in one of these areas together with the judgement to work effectively with professional advisers.
• Strong commercial acumen, with a proven ability to identify new income opportunities, develop sustainable revenue streams and improve organisational performance.
• Experience of securing funding through grants, partnerships, sponsorship or other external funding sources would be highly desirable.
• The strategic ability to translate ideas into action, taking ownership of projects and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Experience reporting to boards or trustees and supporting excellent governance.
• The ability to lead with authority while bringing people together, building consensus and inspiring confidence.

Desirable

• Established networks across Glasgow’s charitable, civic, business or cultural sectors.
• Experience of heritage organisations, membership organisations or charitable trusts.
• Experience of developing visitor attractions, commercial venues or destination-based income opportunities.

Above all, we are seeking a confident, credible and forward-thinking leader who will reassure stakeholders that Trades House is evolving with purpose. You will be visible, approachable and engaging, with the commercial instinct to grow income, the governance expertise to lead with integrity, and the passion to ensure that the organisation’s charitable resources continue to support those in greatest need across Glasgow.