Chief Executive Officer NEW

Peridot Partners

Champion living artists and artistic excellence, driving business growth and enriching the UK’s visual arts landscape as the next CEO of The Federation of British Artists.

Location: Mall Galleries, The Mall, London, SW1Y 5BD

About the Federation of British Artists (FBA)

With living artists and artistic excellence at heart, The Federation of British Artists (FBA) is a major visual arts charity established in 1961 to aid, promote and encourage the study and practice of the fine and visual arts, primarily by living artists.

The FBA members are nine of the UK’s leading art societies:

• The Royal Society of British Artists
• The Royal Society of Portrait Painters
• The Royal Institute of Oil Painters
• The Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours
• The Royal Society of Marine Artists
• The New English Art Club
• The Pastel Society
• The Society of Wildlife Artists
• The Hesketh Hubbard Art Society

As a charity, the FBA’s mission is to deepen public appreciation for new art and foster meaningful connections between artists and their audiences with an emphasis on education, sustainability, growth and commercial opportunities for artists.

With an annual turnover of just over £1.6m supported through a range of income streams, including membership fees, commission on sales, venue hire, and artist submissions, the FBA employs 17 full-time professionals, a freelance team of 20 art technicians, and 6 front-of-house staff.

A strong recovery period following COVID-19 has seen visitor numbers increase to nearly 50,000 per annum and venue hire growth.

Launching a new website and e-commerce art sales platform has enabled increased reach through digital channels. Access to Society exhibitions has grown through increasing open submissions for non-member artists.

About the role

As Chief Executive, you will be responsible for delivering the charitable objectives of the FBA at Mall Galleries and ensuring the charity’s long-term financial sustainability.

You will lead an outstanding and busy operational gallery team that works to high standards and tight schedules to stage a year-round programme of excellent exhibitions that will delight existing visitors and encourage new audiences.

With the Board, you will develop the charity’s long-term strategic plan around Society exhibitions, gallery hires, and digital growth. You will identify new business opportunities and create a business model that equips the charity to maximise revenue and reputation.

You will oversee further development of the organisation’s charitable and educational activities, including leading the fundraising for new initiatives, advancing the charity’s online presence and profile, and further developing the FBA’s web and social media presence.

Who we are looking for

We seek a dynamic, strategic and thoughtful leader with a commitment to artistic excellence and public engagement and significant experience of business growth.

Our new CEO will have a proven track record of working at a senior level, including experience in fundraising, governance and evolving charity business models.

You will also have a deep understanding of the evolving digital landscape, communication and marketing to build the audience reach of the FBA and raise its profile as a significant contributor to the creative economy of the UK for visual arts.

The Board believes this is a defining moment for the FBA – an opportunity for a new Chief Executive to shape the future of the organisation and significantly expand the influence and reach of the FBA and its Member Societies within contemporary British visual art.

Please click ‘Apply on website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 23 rd June 2025.