Treasurer

About Solas Festival

Solas Festival takes place in June each year at Errol in Perthshire. We aim to entertain, inspire and challenge, and to celebrate music, arts, ideas and community. Our multi-arts programme makes space for challenging debate with activists, writers and thinkers from across the political, cultural and religious spectrum. Everyone is welcome.

Building on 2025’s success, we look forward to gathering again from 19-21 June 2026.

What we are looking for

The festival has a budget of around £130k. We have successfully maintained our viability through COVID and other issues facing the sector, but this remains challenging. We are looking for a new Treasurer to support the Board in seeking to ensure that the festival remains financially viable and that proper procedures are maintained.

We welcome applications from those with previous board experience and those who are new to a board.

We encourage applicants from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds, those who would consider themselves disabled and people from the LGBTQ+ community. We are open to, and welcome, all enquiries.

The key duties of the Treasurer include: 

·      Creating budgets for board approval and monitoring progress.

·      Annual accounts - gathering material for the accountants and submitting.

·      Ensuring effective financial management at the festival. 

·      Providing financial support to fundraising including grant applications.

·      Ensuring compliance with any financial obligations including tax.

As Treasurer, you would be an ex officio member of the board. The role of a Board member is to:

·      ensure that Solas Festival complies with relevant legislation or regulations and applies its resources in pursuance of its objects.

·      contribute actively to the board by giving strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance.

·      safeguard the good name and values of Solas Festival.

·      help ensure the financial stability of the Festival.

What we expect

Personal attributes

We expect you to demonstrate:

·      experience in accounting or finance, especially in charitable or arts organisations.

·      a commitment to the aims of Solas Festival.

·      a willingness to attend meetings, to speak your mind and to give of your expertise

·      integrity.

·      an acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

·      an ability to work effectively as a member of a team for the good of Solas Festival.

Attendance and availability

With a bookkeeper in place, we expect Treasurer duties to take around 2 hours/week.

Full board meetings take place roughly 8 times in the year, at intervals dictated by festival activity. These are mostly virtual.

As a Board member you will be expected to take some responsibility for elements of the festival’s development between meetings and to take an active part at the festival/on the festival site itself.

What we aim to provide

This is a great opportunity to get involved at the heart of a small charity and to directly influence its development. As well as building on your governance, leadership and financial management experience, this is a chance to get to know the board and creative team behind the festival, to be creative and try out new ideas.

There is also plenty of opportunity for celebration and fun.

The position is voluntary but reasonable expenses will be paid.

Application notes

Expressions of interest should take the form of a CV and a short statement outlining why you are interested in the role and what you would bring to it.

To be sent by 11 September to Frank Strang, Festival Chair.

We are very happy to chat with you about Solas Festival and the roles.