Anvil Arts is not your average arts organisation. As the largest performing arts organisation in Hampshire, it operates three cultural venues in Basingstoke: The Anvil, a 1,400-seat concert hall; The Forge, an intimate 95-seat studio theatre; and The Haymarket, a 400-seat theatre housed within a Grade II listed building. With Arts Council England NPO status and a year-round programme spanning music, performance, education, participation, and community outreach, Anvil Arts sits firmly at the heart of its region.

When the CEO decided it was time to create a brand new Deputy CEO post within the Executive Leadership Team, they turned to Charisma to lead the search.

A new role with big expectations

This was not a backfill appointment. The Deputy CEO position was created specifically to strengthen the organisation's leadership capacity and would report directly to the Chief Executive. The brief was broad and genuinely demanding.

The postholder would need a firm grasp of the full operational picture at Anvil Arts, overseeing all operational aspects of the artistic programme, shaping strategy with ambitious but achievable targets, identifying and driving additional earned revenue opportunities, and ensuring that financial and operational capacity kept pace with the organisation's ambitions.

In short, Anvil Arts needed someone who could hold a lot of plates in the air, and do it with genuine passion for the arts.

The search

With a role this significant, Charisma focused the majority of its energy on direct candidate engagement. Our team drew on our existing database and led a proactive headhunting campaign, supported by targeted advertising, a vibrant candidate pack, and a social media strategy designed to attract the right kind of attention.

The search prioritised candidates with proven track records in venue or performing arts operations, including strong financial oversight. Strategic planning experience, policy development, sound decision-making, revenue maximisation, cost effectiveness, and health and safety knowledge were all essential requirements.

Nine candidates were identified through vetting interviews, with six taken forward to interview with the Anvil Arts panel.

The result

Following a robust interview process, the successful candidate was appointed. Charisma had delivered what Anvil Arts needed: a talented, experienced leader ready to step into a newly created and genuinely challenging executive role.

The relationship did not stop there. Just a few weeks later, Charisma was appointed again to further develop the Board, this time securing three additional specialist trustees. It is exactly the kind of ongoing partnership we value: understanding an organisation well enough to support it at every level of leadership.

"It was a pleasure working with you again. Thank you for delivering such great appointments!" CEO, Anvil Arts

Recruiting for the arts sector

Arts organisations have their own culture, their own pressures, and their own sense of what great leadership looks like. At Charisma, we understand that. Whether you are building out an executive team, strengthening a board, or navigating a tricky succession, we bring sector knowledge, genuine care, and a network that makes a difference.

If you are looking to make your next great appointment, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch with the team at info@charismarecruitment.co.uk and let's talk.