About the Phoenix > The Phoenix Trust

Being owned by the Phoenix Cinema Trust means that the cinema is truly run by the local community. Like many arts and community organisations, the Trust is composed of local volunteers who serve on the Board and committees.

At present, the Phoenix has approx 30 "company members" - among them founding patron Maureen Lipman - who vote for a Board of up to 12 Trustees who serve a term of several years. It is the Trustees who are legally responsible for the organisation and in charge of its management. All strategic planning - e.g. the cinema's recent refurbishment - is led by the Board together with management.

Our patrons

The Phoenix is very proud to be supported by a number of patrons who have kindly given their time to support the cinema. Click here for more details.

What do the trustees do?

Trustees meet staff regularly to keep informed about cinema business and to contribute actively to its management and development. Most of this work - key areas are marketing, fundraising and community liaison - is carried out in a number of committees, which also include staff, freelancers and other volunteers.

Through these, they contribute their expertise and time to resource the cinema in the form of expert advice, helping with promotional work and event management, representing the cinema at meetings with community groups, other organisations, and official bodies, or particular work such as website and graphic design or building repairs. This volunteer work can be quite varied, from distributing leaflets and leading tours of the cinema building to hosting special events to meeting with local politicians. Time and enthusiasm are as needed as specific skills.

How do I get involved?

Anyone who is passionate about the Phoenix and feels they have something to contribute can get involved with the cinema through the Trust, either by simply joining one of the working committees or by joining the Company and Board, which brings more particular responsibilities - and enough time for regular evening meetings! Contact the Chief Executive to get involved. management@phoenixcinema.co.uk

Phoenix Cinema Trust Mission

1.The Phoenix Cinema is an independent cinema which is uniquely operated by a charitable trust on behalf of the people of North London. The Phoenix Cinema Trust is committed to promoting film culture by developing a broad programme of quality films.
2.The Trust is committed to preserving the building as Britain's longest operating purpose built cinema and to developing the Phoenix as a popular centre for moving images on film, video and new media into the 21st Century.
3.In addition the Trust seeks to use its resources for the benefit of a wider population by encouraging the greatest possible access to film related activities for our diverse local communities.

Ethical Operations Policy

The Phoenix Cinema Trust recognises that it has a role in not only meeting our mission statement but doing so in an ethical way.  To that we have developed an ethical operations policy to guide our work.  This policy covers such issues as Human Rights, Environmental practices and global trade. 

The document sets out the broad intentions and commitments of the Phoenix Cinema Trust in pursuing practices that take into account their impact on other people’s lives. The company seeks to support the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).   Many of our intentions will be achieved in a short time period, whilst others will be longer term commitments, due to resources, time, finance or technology.

This policy covers all activities of the Phoenix Cinema Trust. By far the largest part of our activities occur in the Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley and this is the area where we have a great deal of control. We also recognise that we should endeavour to implement this policy where our work takes us into other locations.

For more details and to read a copy of this policy please contact Paul Homer paul@phoenixcinema.co.uk