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EVERSHEDS BOARD BANK MEMBER OF THE YEAR Starch reduced “More Music board meetings are informal and enjoyable – Furness Building Society’s were starchy and intense – they are not so much now, thanks to my More Music experience.” The words of Rob Cairns, Chief Executive of the Furness Building Society. When More Music, a community music organisation in Morecambe, applied to the Board Bank for financial expertise, they had reservations about introducing someone from the world of business into “the wacky world of community music” and its informal way of working. But Rob quickly dispelled their fears, as Kathryn MacDonald of More Music explains: “Rob is an active board member in every sense. He has brought an analytical rigour to the financial aspects of the organisation and as a dynamic member of the finance subcommittee has contributed to the development and reorganisation of our financial systems and budget setting. I get a real sense that he is proud to be associated with the organisation. His wit, humour, compassion and understanding of the organisation enliven the most tedious discussions, while his business experience and wide ranging other interests provide us with a refreshing perspective of life outside the arts.” Rob is just as fulsome about the benefits he has gained: “The team are so inspirational that it just can’t help rubbing off on you – I leave More Music board meetings full of new ideas to take to the other organisations on which I serve. It has helped me rekindle my long lost interest in music, and allows me to take my mind of the financial services industry and the credit crunch. I just can’t wait to further contribute.” Rob, a Liverpudlian who now lives in Walney Island, was especially pleased to receive the award in his home town in Capital of Culture Year. Equal Runners up Colin Forshaw is Sales and Development Surveyor at Bruntwood, the property investment company. When the Plaza Community Cinema needed property development expertise on the board as they embarked on development of the 1939 Art Deco cinema in Waterloo, north of Liverpool, Colin was the obvious choice as he lives locally and has fond memories of the cinema. Says Jan Dunn, chair of the trustees, “Colin shows an astute understanding of the organisation and has helped us crystallise our options for the building. Without his support the Plaza Community Cinema would be a less able organisation than it is today.” Colin adds “The experience has shown me a whole new way of working.” Bill Griffiths of Gryffon Scitec has been on the board of Horse + Bamboo Theatre in Rawtenstall since 2002 and is currently Chair. From an uncertain situation early in 2007 – precarious funding, staff changes and a period without a full time Chief Executive - Bill has been a consistent, key person in the team, providing strong support, whilst carefully maintaining a proper distance from the day to day affairs of the company. Helen Jackson, Chief Executive of Horse & Bamboo, says “Bill’s open and easy going approach to people has been a key contributor in the creation of the current Horse + Bamboo set up. The Company’s successful position now is testament to Bill’s key role as Chair during a difficult time.” Other nominations
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