CEO for The Crichton Trust
This position is now closed
Job description...
- Location: Grierson House, The Crichton Estate, The Crichton, Dumfries, DG1 4ZE
- Salary: circa £90K
- Status: Permanent Contract
- Hours: 35 hours per week
- Reports to: The Chair and the Board of the Trust
- Closing Date: Friday 27th February 2026 at 5pm
- Interview Date: Stage 1 - Friday 13th March. Stage 2 - Tuesday 17th March 2026
Welcome from the Chair
After nearly eight years of outstanding leadership, our Chief Executive, Gwilym Gibbons, will step down in May 2026 to embark on a new venture. This marks an exciting and pivotal moment for The Crichton Trust, creating a rare opportunity to lead one of Scotland’s most distinctive charitable organisations into its next chapter.
The Crichton is a remarkable place: a historic estate with a powerful sense of heritage, landscape and community. Established in 1996 as a charity and company limited by guarantee, the Trust exists to promote, regenerate and care for The Crichton and other buildings of historic interest across Dumfries and Galloway, while ensuring the estate continues to thrive as a centre of educational, commercial, recreational, cultural and artistic excellence.
Today, our purpose is clear: to connect people, place and the past to shape the future—inspiring learning, innovation and sustainable community growth. Our ambition is to be custodians of world-leading places that inspire, innovate and drive enterprise, combining heritage, culture, and sustainability to create new futures and address the grand challenges of our time.
We are now seeking an ambitious, values-driven CEO with the vision and leadership to set our strategic direction for the years ahead—working with the Board, our talented team, and a wide range of partners and stakeholders to secure long-term sustainability and impact. The next phase of our journey will be shaped around four pillars—Education, Heritage, Social-Cultural, and Enviro-Economic—as we grow The Crichton as a hub for learning and research, steward and enhance the estate’s assets, strengthen cultural and community life, and drive innovation that supports a greener, more resilient regional economy.
If this role aligns with your experience, ambitions and values, I encourage you to explore the attached information pack and get in touch with our search partner, AWS Executive, who are managing the recruitment process and can arrange a confidential discussion.
With best wishes,
Dr David Hall
Chair, The Crichton Trust
The Crichton Trust is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status, established in 1996 to promote, regenerate and care for The Crichton and other buildings of historic interest throughout Dumfries and Galloway.
The Trust has the overall strategic responsibility of ensuring that the site is managed and developed to an appropriate standard. Our mission is to preserve, enhance and interpret the historic character of The Crichton and develop it with a clear identity as a place of educational, commercial, recreational, cultural and artistic excellence taking account of accessibility and stakeholder and community needs for the benefit of Dumfries and Galloway.
Please visit The Crichton Trust website for further information.
Key Responsibilities and Objectives
Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Trust, accountable to the Board of Trustees for its people and resources, ensuring effective delivery of operational, financial, legal and regulatory responsibilities, and inspiring the management team to embrace the challenges faced. Work with the Board to shape, grow, and deliver an innovative, sustainable strategy that secures long-term success—acting as custodian of The Crichton’s place and story; protecting the charity’s ongoing wellbeing; safeguarding the site’s environmental, cultural, and heritage value; and driving The Crichton’s evolution into a thriving hub for economic activity that supports the region’s economic development.
Lead the development and delivery of The Crichton’s strategic partnerships, maximising engagement with key partners and stakeholders to position The Crichton as a vital infrastructure asset for the South of Scotland and nationally, and to drive sustainable growth through collaborative, whole-system approaches that realise shared ambition and opportunities.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion about the vacancy, please contact Alan Surgeon or Donna McKay at AWS Executive.
We are especially interested in candidates who bring:
- A genuine commitment to, and understanding of, the organisation’s mission
- Proven CEO-level leadership experience, preferably within the non-profit sector
- Extensive senior operational experience in a non-profit environment
- Strong knowledge of charity governance and regulatory requirements
- A track record of successfully managing diverse income streams
Suitable candidates will then be invited via the Apply button below.
This position is now closed.
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