News

Join the ASVA Board

Added: 24 Sep 2026

ASVA has opened recruitment for several new Board Directors, offering members the opportunity to help shape the next stage of the organisation’s development and contribute to the future of Scotland’s visitor attractions.

ASVA has grown in scale, confidence and value in recent years. We have strengthened our foundations, expanded what we deliver and are developing a new Business Plan shaped by what our members tell us matters most.

Today, ASVA represents more than 540 attractions, welcoming over 40 million visits annually, with membership across ASVA’s different categories growing by 86% in 2025/26.

Our new Directors will join ASVA at an important point in that journey, helping us make clear choices, grow responsibly and increase the value and influence we provide for members.

An opportunity to help shape ASVA’s next chapter

ASVA’s Board provides strategic leadership and collective oversight of the organisation.

Directors help set our direction, scrutinise performance, finance and risk, support good governance and bring constructive challenge. They also share their expertise and insight, champion ASVA’s role and use their networks to help extend our reach and influence.

It is also an opportunity to build relationships with leaders from visitor attractions across Scotland, gain insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the sector and bring new ideas and perspectives back to your own organisation.

Board meetings combine strategic discussion with the opportunity to experience some of Scotland’s attractions behind the scenes. Recent meetings have included a Board session aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia, climbing inside The Kelpies, touring the private vaults at Johnnie Walker Princes Street and a rooftop tour of Stirling Castle.

Who are we looking for?

We welcome applications from representatives of any ASVA member organisation and are recruiting several Directors.

Rather than looking for every applicant to fit the same profile, we want to bring together the strongest overall combination of skills, experience and perspectives for ASVA.

Areas we would particularly like to strengthen across the Board include:

• Policy, public affairs and influencing
• People leadership and workforce challenges
• Financial oversight
• Using visitor insight to guide decisions
• Commercial growth and income generation
• Retail, catering, events, pricing, memberships, product development or distribution
• Leading or operating a visitor attraction
• Organisational growth, change or business development
• Understanding changing visitors and reaching new audiences.

Applicants do not need to cover all of these areas, and we also welcome skills and experience outside this list.

We would particularly like to improve representation from people living or working in the Highlands and Islands or South of Scotland, leaders from rural and island attractions, independent and single-site attraction members, and people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Previous Board experience is welcome but not essential. Strong leadership, sound judgement and the ability to contribute strategically matter more.

The commitment

Directors are expected to attend four Board meetings, the AGM and the annual ASVA Conference.

Appointments are for a three-year voluntary term, renewable once, with optional events and occasional opportunities to contribute beyond formal Board meetings.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and responses to three questions. Your combined answers should total no more than 1,000 words:

1. Strategic leadership and governance
How would your experience help you contribute strategically, challenge constructively and support good governance? If you are new to non-executive work, how would you approach it?

2. Helping ASVA grow its impact
ASVA wants to grow so it can deliver more for members. Members have highlighted changing visitor needs, commercial performance, audience growth and visitor experience. How would you help ASVA respond while strengthening its role, reputation and influence?

3. Your distinctive contribution
What is the greatest strength you would bring to ASVA’s Board? What skills, experience, perspective or representation would make your contribution distinctive and strengthen the Board’s overall balance and effectiveness?

Applications should be sent to michael@asva.co.uk.

Applications close: 20 October 2026.

Previous applicants for the ASVA Chair position can opt into the Director recruitment process using their existing application and interview.