The Trust

The Strathmartine Trust was founded in 1999 with a legacy provided by the late Ronald Cant. The aim of the Trust is to support the study, research and education of Scottish history, broadly defined. Based in its own premises in St Andrews, the Trust offers self-catering accommodation for visiting scholars, and has a large library and study space for researchers. The Trust also offers awards and grants, and supports scholarships for PhD study in the Universities of Dundee and St Andrews. It maintains a community profile, hosting seminars and other events, supporting local and national historians to share their research and ideas. In 2014, the Trust established the Strathmartine Press, which publishes a small number of books that focus on local history. On a day-to-day basis, the Trust is managed by a part-time Director, who is responsible to the Chair and the Board of Trustees.

The Opportunity

Following a review of the Trust’s governance, the Trust is embarking on a search for new Trustees. The period of appointment will be five years, with the possibility of an extension to seven years. Trustee posts are not renumerated, but reasonable travel and other related expenses will be reimbursed. Over time, by the end of 2026, the intention is to have a refreshed Board of Trustees that comprises a diverse range of knowledge, skills and expertise - some of these are listed below; it is not expected that applicants for Trustee appointments will have all of these. As the Trust reorganises its administrative structure, it hopes also to expand and refresh its portfolio of activities, and the role of Trustee thus offers an exciting opportunity to assist in shaping a dynamic future for this important contributor in the field of Scottish historical research and education.

The Role

Trustees will be expected to be active in the running of the Trust, beyond simply providing strategic direction at meetings. Some Trustees will have specific oversight of the work of the Director of Operations in one of a number of key areas. An essential requirement, however, is that Trustees should be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for Scottish history. Applicants should be aware of the regulations concerning, and the statutory requirements of, charitable trusts in Scotland. Specifically, Trustees might have knowledge, skills and experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Higher education and research
• Finance, including accountancy and investments
• Human resources
• Technology, including digital strategy and data protection
• Charity and other relevant compliance
• Publishing
• Marketing
• Leadership and management

The Time Commitment

Trustees are expected to attend, virtually or in person, a minimum of four Trustee Meetings each year; occasionally, additional meetings are organised to discuss grant applications or other significant matters. In addition to the time taken to prepare for and attend meetings, Trustees will need to allocate time to reading and evaluating applications during the annual grant award process. It is expected that Trustees will also remain engaged and interested in the day-to-day operation of the Strathmartine Centre and Press.