Board chair volunteer roles

We are seeking an experienced Charity Chair to lead our dynamic, fast growing charity supporting children with SEND in the early years to get the very best start in life. This is an incredible opportunity to drive national change and improvements alongside our CEO, influencing at the highest levels and continuing to expand our work and impact.

We are extremely proud of the growth and impact of Dingley’s Promise over the last three years of Russ Fowler’s tenure as Chair. We’re supported by a dynamic and multi skilled Trustee Board, and have repositioned the charity from a small local provider of specialist early years nurseries, to a national charity that is now the largest provider in the country. We have delivered our specialist inclusion training to over 20,000 early years educators in mainstream settings across England, and are heavily involved in influencing the imminent reforms across the education sector in relation to early years and SEND.

This is a pivotal point for the charity, and we are seeking an experienced, strategic and business minded individual who is ambitious about the impact that Dingley’s Promise can have. We are regularly being offered new opportunities to grow our influence and impact, and are very aware that we have to manage this growth in a responsible and realistic way. We are looking for a new Chair who knows what it takes to drive a national organisation forward, and who is excited about the potential for the organisation to continue to grow and ensure more children and families than ever before have the support they need in the early years.

I look forward to meeting someone who will work in partnership with me as CEO and lead our Board of Trustees to shape the charity’s future growth. I value those who challenge me to think outside of the box, who drive continual reflection and improvement, and who hold me to account as the CEO of an influential national charity representing the voice of children and families. You will play an important part in taking the charity to the next level, helping to increase our impact and influence through your knowledge and connections, and ensuring that we stay on track and accountable to our aims at all times. It’s an incredible opportunity for the right person, who will get an incredible amount of fulfilment from working alongside me to help this dynamic charity to reach its potential. If this sounds like something you could be passionate about, please do get in touch. 

Chair of the Board
Minimum 2-year period
8 hours / 4 meetings per year

Our client was established in 1979, to improve the quality and wellbeing of the Chinese community living in the UK, empowering and working them to meet their needs while also focusing on preserving their culture and heritage.

Based adjacent to Leicester Square, London, they take their income through membership fees, fundraising events, donations and room hire.

Their aim is to improve the quality and wellbeing of their community, empowering and working with them to meet their needs while also focusing on preserving the Chinese culture and heritage. They offer valuable advice and support; they have helped more than 60,000 people over the years. During the past 20 years alone, their Centre has secured claims of over £29m in benefits to assist those in need.

 The majority of Chinese immigrants to the UK prosper well; our client targets their services at:

• Those who are in need of support as they grow older.
• New arrivals whilst they settle into their new life in the UK.
• Younger members of the community who grow up in the UK and seek opportunities to connect with their Chinese heritage, culture and language.

 To meet these needs, they provide:

• Support with translation, completion of government forms and benefit claims, for those on low-income or even no-income within their community.
• Cultural and educational classes.

What are they looking for?

• To have an understanding, knowledge, or experience of the charity or non-profit sectors.
• To be able to operate strategically and to work effectively with the Board of Trustees and Centre Director to develop the strategic vision for the charity.
• Work closely with the Centre Director to ensure the smooth running of governance and oversight processes, board meetings, and agendas.
• Where appropriate, the Chair will represent our client at public events organised by and for themselves.
• Support the Centre Director and wider organisation in generating new fundraising opportunities and in identifying and establishing partnerships.

Those who have been involved in the voluntary sector are especially welcome to help guide our client’s Centre through future challenges.

The Commitment:

Being a Chair of the Board is an “Unpaid” role lasting for a minimum of TWO years. You will need to take part in a minimum of four board meetings which will take about six hours in total of your time each year.

For You:

The acknowledgement and fulfilment of contributing to an underprivileged part of our client’s community.

Apply now with your CV.

Board Chair for Enterprise Oxfordshire

Are you an experienced business leader either living or working in Oxfordshire with a passion for driving economic growth, innovation, skills and employability that will enhance the area and prosperity of your community? 
Enterprise Oxfordshire is seeking a persuasive and influential senior business leader to join their Board as Chair. This is a unique opportunity to build your network and play a pivotal role in the sustainable development of Oxfordshire through the implementation of their strategic economic plan.

About Enterprise Oxfordshire:

Enterprise Oxfordshire, formerly known as the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Ltd, is committed to advancing economic growth and innovation within Oxfordshire. With a history of successful initiatives such as the City Deal and the Local Growth Fund, they have contributed over £1 billion to the local economy and secured an additional £2.3 billion in investments from both public and private sectors. Building on its significant achievements as OxLEP, Enterprise Oxfordshire now oversees a comprehensive suite of business, skills, investment, and trade support services. They also support various strategies aimed at realising Oxfordshire’s economic potential in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

Role Overview:

As the Board Chair, you will bring energy and passion to their newly established Board, fostering positive relationships with key stakeholders and acting as a high-level advocate regionally, nationally, and internationally. You will lead the Board in delivering their original Oxfordshire Strategic Economic Plan priorities and driving prosperity through the Local Industrial Strategy and Economic Recovery Plan. 

The new Board is made up of 2 other members representing an elected member of Oxfordshire County Council and an Officer of County Council. The Board report into the Shareholder Committee who are made of elected members of the Oxfordshire’s County Council’s cabinet. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strong leadership to the Board
• Represent Enterprise Oxfordshire at external high-profile events and advocate for the interests of Oxfordshire's economy.
• Engage in high-level negotiations with key influencers in government, business, and community to drive a positive future for Oxfordshire.
   

Candidate Profile:

• The Board Chair must ideally live and work in Oxfordshire.
• Have significant and current experience of leading and SME and/or large business.
• Ideally be an influential and persuasive business leader with a high profile in Oxfordshire
• Ability to provide clear strategic vision, and a demonstratable understanding of the economic drivers and challenges facing Oxfordshire.
• Strong empathy and ability to work with and influence a wide range of stakeholders including business, local authorities, MPs, national government and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrable track record of engaging and supporting communities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; articulate and able to influence, broker, and build strong networks.
   

Commitment:

• Commitment 20-30 days per annum initially, including monthly Board meetings, external events, and committee engagements (once the board is established it’s expected to be more around 20 days).
• Serve for a minimum three-year term with an option to extend
• Unremunerated with reasonable expenses
   

Application Process
Please send an up to date CV. In the first instance you will be sent a link to a candidate pack microsite with further details on the opportunity and how to submit a formal application.

Application deadline is Tuesday 20th May at 5.00pm.

The team at TPP, Lisa, Sema and Matt are on hand to answer any questions.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

About FilmBath

FilmBath/ Bath Film Festival has been a key part of the city’s cultural life since 1990. Renowned for its commitment to diversity, innovation and inclusion in film, the festival celebrates stories from around the globe, champions underrepresented voices, and brings cinema to new audiences in unique and engaging ways.

In addition to the flagship annual festival, FilmBath strives to collaborate with other organisations and festivals for year-round events designed to bring cinema into new spaces and reach wider audiences. An example of this was the new Movie at the Museum strand, part of the Curious Minds festival, which creates unique screenings and experiences in collaboration with local heritage sites, museums and cultural venues.

The FilmBath Team

FilmBath is a registered charity with no permanent staff. The festival is led by a freelance Festival Director, who is responsible for shaping the creative vision and structure of the festival, managing budgets, and reporting to the Board of Trustees. The Director also builds and maintains key partnerships with film and arts organisations, venues and cinemas, and leads on marketing, audience development, and stakeholder engagement.

A volunteer programming committee works under the direction of the Director to select the films shown at the festival. This committee helps ensure the programme reflects FilmBath’s values while appealing to a wide and diverse audience.

Delivery of the festival is supported by a small number of freelance production and technical staff, contracted by the Director, and a team of dedicated volunteer stewards who provide vital support during festival events.

This lean, collaborative structure allows FilmBath to remain agile and sustainable, delivering high-quality programming while nurturing a strong sense of community.

Sector Context

The cultural sector is facing a period of significant transition. Shrinking public funding, increased competition for sponsorship, and changing audience behaviours have created challenges for many arts organisations. Within the film festival landscape, these pressures are amplified by the growing availability of on-demand content and the rising costs of delivery. Yet, this moment also presents major opportunities: audiences are increasingly seeking shared, local, and meaningful cultural experiences – exactly what festivals like FilmBath are positioned to offer. With a strong identity, a collaborative spirit, and a dedicated community, FilmBath is well placed to reimagine what a regional film festival can be in the years ahead.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Chair of the Board of Trustees to help shape FilmBath’s strategic future. This is an exciting opportunity to join at a critical point in our development, supporting the organisation’s ambition to grow sustainably while retaining its distinctive identity and values.

As Chair, you will work closely with the freelance Director and the Board to provide strategic leadership, champion fundraising efforts, and strengthen governance. With a lean delivery model, the Chair will play a visible and active role in helping to secure the long-term stability and impact of the organisation.

You’ll bring experience in business, fundraising and strategic planning to complement the Director’s creative and operational strengths, and have the enthusiasm to work collaboratively towards a shared vision.

FilmBath is at a pivotal moment in its development. Insights from a recent Strategy Day identified key priorities for the Board, including defining the festival’s cultural role within the local and national landscape, strengthening brand identity, and building long-term financial resilience through strategic fundraising and partnerships. The incoming Chair will be instrumental in supporting these developments, working closely with the Director to implement a clear, bold vision for the organisation’s future. The current chair of the board will be available to support handover to the incoming chair.

Key Responsibilities

- Provide strategic leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring the organisation fulfils its charitable purpose.
- Support the Director in shaping and delivering FilmBath’s long-term vision.
- Champion fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation, sponsorship and bid development.
- Ensure good governance, financial oversight and compliance with charity law.
- Act as an ambassador for FilmBath within the cultural, business and philanthropic sectors.
- Lead and facilitate Board meetings and promote active trustee engagement.

Person Specification

- Demonstrable experience in business strategy, income generation or fundraising, ideally within the cultural or charitable sectors.
- Proven leadership and governance skills, with an understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities of a charity trustee.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- A collaborative and supportive approach to working with the Director and fellow trustees.
- Passion for film, cultural engagement, and FilmBath’s mission and values.

Time Commitment

- Quarterly Board of Trustees meetings
- Monthly one-to-one meetings with the Director
- Attendance at key events, including the annual festival and occasional stakeholder meetings
- Participation in sub-committees or working groups as needed

Strategic Priorities for the Board

The FilmBath Board of Trustees has identified several key priorities for 2025 and beyond:

- Clarifying our identity: defining our unique position as a festival rooted in Bath with national credibility
- Strengthening our brand: creating a compelling narrative to engage audiences, funders and the wider industry
- Investing in fundraising: growing our income beyond ticket sales by engaging major sponsors, trusts and individual donors
- Ensuring sustainability: building a delivery model that mitigates key person risk and secures long-term stability
- Deepening community impact: continuing to deliver diverse, inclusive, and memorable film experiences across the year

The new Chair will play a leading role in advancing these strategic priorities, supported by a dedicated Director, a skilled Board, and a passionate volunteer team.

Who they are

Citizens Advice Richmond is a local charity that has helped the people of Richmond since 1940. They offer generalist advice on any issue and specialist debt advice. Citizens Advice Richmond is a member of the national Citizens Advice service, a network of around 300 local advice centres.

The role What will you do?

● Complete an introduction for your role.

● Maintain an awareness of how the local Citizens Advice is operating.

● Read papers for board meetings and attend six board meetings per year.

● Work on specific projects with other trustees or staff within the local Citizens Advice to further the strategic objectives of the local Citizens Advice.

● Provide support and assistance to the Chair and the Chief Officer in carrying out their responsibilities, acting as a ‘critical friend’ and sounding board.

● Take on specific responsibilities delegated by the Chair, e.g., supporting new trustees with their induction.

● Carry out the Chair’s duties in their absence, with the acknowledgment of the board as being capable and suitable to do so.

● Be prepared to take over as Chair in the near future.

● Be open to approaches, where appropriate, from other trustees about the work or judgment of the Chair. The Vice Chair will then discuss any issues arising with the Chair or National Citizens Advice.

● Take an active role in discussions during board meetings and work with other trustees to:

● Set policy and strategy direction, set targets, and evaluate the performance of the local Citizens Advice.

● Seek the views of all sections of the community and monitor how well the service meets the needs of the local community.

● Ensure that the service plans for the recruitment and turnover of staff and volunteers.

● Review their own work and how effectively they operate, including action for improvement.

Join the Board of Governors of Croydon College as the new Chair to play a key role in supporting students achieve their potential and positively contribute to society.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 9th May 2025

Location: Croydon, South London

Who we are

Croydon College was formed from a merger between Croydon College and Coulsdon Sixth Form College in 2019. Both Colleges continue to deliver high-quality education, building on their proud history of serving the local community whilst becoming an anchor institution for the local area.

Our College consists of two campuses in South London offering distinctly different provisions. Our Croydon Campus provides general further education with a focus on vocational and skills education, and our Coulsdon Campus is the home of our sixth form college. We offer a wide range of provision, including vocational and academic programmes for young people, courses for adults to upskill or retrain, higher education, apprenticeships, and a specific curriculum for learners with high needs.

About the role

As Chair, you will have a responsibility to ensure the Governing Body upholds the educational character of Croydon College whilst working with our Director of Governance to ensure that, as an organisation, we are acting in accordance with our governing documents and national regulatory frameworks. Alongside this will be your responsibility to collaborate with Committee Chairs and senior leaders to ensure that agendas are effective and meetings are run efficiently with full engagement and contribution encouraged.

Our new Chair will play a vital role not only in leading our Governing Body but also in offering their expertise as an experienced strategic leader, supporting and advising our senior leadership team as they navigate the many challenges and opportunities they will face in the years ahead.

Who we are looking for

We are looking to engage candidates to become our new Chair and lead our governing body with enthusiasm, energy and dedication. You will be innovative in your thinking, curious in your questioning and bring your growth mindset to share in our ambitions. Like all of our Governors, you will understand our longer-term vision and share our aspirations and ambitions for both the College and our students.

Whilst our new Chair will share our passion for education, and particularly further education, we are keen to attract candidates with a wide-range of experience be it commercial, third or public sector or educational.

Our new Chair will need to have previous board experience, preferably in a leadership role such as Chair, Vice Chair or Committee Chair. Coupled with this experience, you will bring a keen understanding of our local ecosystem and be able to appreciate the impact that our College can have on the communities that we serve while also understanding how local demographics and economics impact the decisions we take.

In addition to being a successful strategic leader, you will bring an understanding of organisational transformation and development and be well-placed to act as a trusted advisor to our senior leaders as we seek to navigate our growth and development in the years ahead.

Whilst we will welcome applications from candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds, we are especially interested in those individuals who live or work within our local area and who have a particular interest in supporting the development and growth of their local College.

Expectations and commitment

Our Governing Body meets a minimum of four times per year in person. Our meetings are held outside of the working day from 6 pm and always take place on a Wednesday.

We hold two strategy days per year in March and December, one at each campus, and our board meetings are incorporated into these.

As well as leading our Governing Body as Chair, the appointed candidate will be asked to join a number of committees, which may include Finance and Resources, Learning and Quality, Search and Governance and Remuneration. These Committees meet in person three times a year and a schedule for these is available in the key documents section of this site.

It is anticipated that our new Chair will need to be able to dedicate between three to four days per month. As we continue on our journey of improvement, it is expected that in the early part of your term of office, the commitment could be slightly more. The time you need to dedicate will be influenced by meeting schedules, academic cycles, and other ad-hoc support needs. As with any Chair role, a key aspect of this role will be flexibility and accessibility. Governors are asked to commit to a four-year term of office.

We very much welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 9th June 2025.

Chair of the Charitable Trust Board

Amnesty International UK

Lead With Purpose. Chair the Board of One of the World's Most Recognised Human Rights Movements.

Amnesty International UK is seeking a visionary, inclusive and values-driven Chair to lead the Charitable Trust Board at a pivotal moment of change and opportunity.

With nearly half a million supporters across the UK, the mission is to stand up for humanity and human rights. The Charitable Trust plays a vital role in funding Amnesty's work globally and in the UK - supporting individuals, communities, and movements where justice, fairness, and freedom are at stake.

As Chair, you will provide strategic leadership to the Board, oversee key governance responsibilities, and guide the Trust through an exciting period of transition - including responsible investment, growing the grant making impact, and advancing digital and cultural transformation.

About you:

• Proven governance or board leadership experience (e.g. Chair, Vice Chair, Trustee)
• Strong understanding of charity governance, risk, and compliance
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and chairing skills
• The ability to lead with curiosity, compassion and strategic clarity
• A deep personal commitment to human rights, anti-racism, equity and inclusion
• Familiarity with ethical investment, grant making, digital transformation, or complex organisational change would be highly beneficial.
• Lived experience of injustice or marginalisation, and younger voices in leadership, are especially welcomed.

Practicalities:

UK-wide (with London-based meetings)
Voluntary, with expenses covered
Approx. 15-20 days/year
3 years (renewable once)

Join the Conversation

We're hosting a live Q&A Webinar on Monday 28th April 2025 at 6:30 pm where they will share further insights and answer any additional questions you may have. In the first instance, please send your CV to and we will forward you the recruitment pack as well as the link to register to attend this webinar.

Timeline:

Closing date: 5pm 23^rd May 2025

First Interviews: w/c 30^th June

Final Interviews: w/c 7^th July

This is your opportunity to lead with integrity, shape the future of human rights work, and ensure Amnesty International UK is governed with accountability, vision, and courage.

First Give – providing hope for the future

Today’s young people care deeply about social issues. But while 88% of 10–20-year-olds want to make the world a better place, far fewer are taking part in meaningful social action.

First Give was founded ten years ago to change that. Our mission is simple: ignite a spark of social conscience in young people and give them the chance to make a difference.

Through our school-based programmes, we’ve supported nearly 250,000 students to connect with local charities, take social action, and understand the power of giving. The impact is clear:

• 98% of students better understand local social issues
• 90% are more likely to take social action again
• 95% of teachers say we succeed in inspiring a sense of social conscience

Despite this, we’re only reaching 7% of state secondary students in our key regions. We need to go further.

Route to a Million Campaign

We’ve set our sights on something bigger. By 2034, we want one million young people to experience the power of giving through our programmes.

To make that happen, we’re launching an ambitious fundraising campaign—Route to a Million—to raise an additional £1.5m over the next three years.

This is a pivotal moment. With the right support, we can expand our reach, scale our model and dramatically increase our impact.

Who we’re looking for

We need a bold, strategic Chair to lead the new Campaign Board and help bring this vision to life.

You’ll bring:

• Senior leadership experience and strong business acumen
• Influence and networks that can unlock significant support
• A passion for empowering young people and driving social change

As Chair, you’ll:

• Shape and drive the fundraising strategy
• Open doors and generate new funding opportunities
• Build and lead a high-impact Campaign Board
• Act as a lead ambassador for First Give and the campaign
• Be willing to give, as well as ask others to
• This is an opportunity to play a defining role in a campaign with a lasting legacy—for young people, for communities, and for the future of giving in the UK.

Time commitment and support

• Around 1-2 days per month, including some evening events
• A three-year term
• Based in London with in-person Board meetings at our West Hampstead office
• Full support from the First Give team to ensure your time is impactful

If you believe in the potential of young people to drive change, and you have the drive to lead this campaign, we want to hear from you.

About Wikimedia UK
Wikimedia UK is the national platform for open knowledge, bringing together practical and policy expertise about Wikipedia and the other Wikimedia projects. Delivering impact of over 1 billion views each year and engaging thousands of people through advocacy, education, outreach and partnerships, Wikimedia UK demystifies and drives engagement in open access to information.

Wikimedia UK's Board of Trustees provides strategic guidance, direction and oversight for the charity as a whole while recognising and respecting the domain of staff responsibility. In particular, the board:

• sets and maintains our direction, vision, mission and values, and helps develop strategy for effective charitable impact

• sets and maintains the policies, practices, budgets and other processes necessary to deliver those aims

• selects and supports the CEO who has oversight of operations, staff and employment procedures

• maintains fiscal oversight and accountability, including risk management and ensuring that the charity operates in a prudent and solvent manner

• ensures that the law and our Articles of Association are complied with

• promotes and champions the charity

• maintains its own effectiveness as a board

We have a board of up to 11 trustees who are appointed for three-year terms. Most trustees are elected however we can have up to four co-opted trustees at any one time. Trustees of Wikimedia UK are expected to sign the Code of Conduct and to declare any actual or potential conflicts and personal interests. 

Full board meetings are held quarterly, as are meetings of the two formal sub-committees (Audit and Risk, and Governance).

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Governance & Board Development:

• Lead the Board of Trustees in setting and supporting the charity’s strategic direction and ensuring the work of the organisation is aligned with the strategy 

• Oversee the recruitment and induction of trustees, ensuring an effective, diverse and inclusive Board

• Monitor trustee engagement and compliance with the Code of Conduct

• Lead the development of best practice in governance, including conducting regular board evaluations and working with the staff team on board training and development

Meetings:

• Chair quarterly meetings of the full board, an annual away day, and the Annual General Meeting, working with the CEO on setting the agenda and ensuring the timely distribution of papers.

• Facilitate constructive, open, and respectful discussion during meetings, ensuring all relevant factors are fully considered and clear decisions are made.

• Chair the Governance Committee (which meets as needed) and liaise with the Chairs of other Board Committees

Staff:

• Act as the main channel of communication between the Board and staff

• Act as the line manager for the Chief Executive, providing support and input through regular one-to-one meetings, and conducting annual appraisals

External Relations:

• Represent Wikimedia UK externally as required, collaborating with the Chief Executive on advocacy and outreach efforts

• Monitor the charity’s financial performance and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements

Person Specification:

• Proven experience in a leadership role within a nonprofit organisation

• Demonstrated commitment to open knowledge and the values of Wikimedia UK 

• Strong understanding of governance, strategy, and the nonprofit sector

• A good understanding and experience of best practice within charity governance

• Familiarity with charity finance, reporting, and fundraising practices

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills

• Ability to foster a culture of collaboration and inclusivity

• Experience in chairing meetings and leading diverse teams or boards

• Committed to promoting and supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion

• Knowledge and experience in one of the sectors or areas that Wikimedia UK’s works with, such as cultural heritage, education or civil society, is desirable

Time Commitment:

• Approximately one day a month, including Board meetings (typically held quarterly), an annual strategic planning meeting, meetings with the Chief Executive and occasional attendance at public and community events.

• Reasonable expenses, including travel and accommodation, will be reimbursed.

Term:

• As per our Articles, co-opted trustees are appointed for an initial term of two years, with the possibility of co-option for two further terms. We are ideally looking for a commitment of at least three years from our new Chair of Trustees.

• Application Process: Please submit a CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role using the subject line: "Chair of the Board of Trustees Application."

Deadline: Sunday 18th May 2025

Wikimedia UK particularly welcomes applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds. If you require this information in an alternative format or need adjustments during the application process, please contact Sharon on the email address below.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic charity and play a pivotal role in advancing free knowledge and open content for all.

Apply your skills and expertise as Chair of the Board of AfriKids UK to make an incredible difference. This is an exciting opportunity to help lead a locally-led, high-impact organisation through a period of signficant change, to scale life-changing work for families, in Ghana and beyond.

AfriKids is an award-winning, locally-led charity dedicated to ensuring the rights of children in northern Ghana. Our mission is to help unlock the power of communities to ensure child rights, with a focus on helping people secure the means, motive and opportunity for every child to complete a quality basic education, as the most sustainable route out of poverty. 
We work hand-in-hand with local communities to design and deliver programmes that create lasting change for children, so they can thrive now and as the leaders of tomorrow. 

With nearly 25 years of experience behind us, we are now seeking an experienced and committed individual to Chair our Board and help lead us through a period of transformational change, to impact more children than ever. As Chair of AfriKids UK, you will provide strategic leadership by ensuring the Board’s effective governance and lending your knowledge, skills and experience to support the Chief Executive in achieving organisational excellence and a step change in organisational capacity to deliver against its mission and objectives. 

Our current Chair, Jason Haines, is stepping down having served maximum tenure.

Who they are

Citizens Advice Richmond is a local charity that has helped the people of Richmond since 1940. They offer generalist advice on any issue and specialist debt advice. Citizens Advice Richmond is a member of the national Citizens Advice service, a network of around 300 local advice centres.

The role: What will you do?

● Complete an induction for your role.

● Maintain an awareness of how the local Citizens Advice is operating.

● Plan the board meetings, including the dates and the agenda, with the Company/Charity Secretary and the Chief Officer.

● Read papers for board meetings and attend six board meetings per year.

● Facilitate the trustee board meetings by leading the meeting, ensuring that agenda items are discussed, enabling all members to contribute their views and take part, and seeking clarification where necessary.

● Ensure that decisions and actions taken at board meetings are carried out.

● Ensure that the board decisions are made within the remit of the Citizens Advice membership agreement, governing documents, and policies.

● Monitor attendance and commitment of all trustees.

● Provide or arrange training or support for trustees if needed.

● With other trustees and the Chief Officer, recruit a trustee board with a diverse range of skills, experience, and knowledge, with an aim to promote trusteeship to underrepresented groups that represent the community.

● Ensure that all trustees receive an induction and the training needed for them to fulfil their role.

● Be proactive in recruiting successors to key positions such as Chair, Treasurer, etc.

● Arrange or provide support and supervision for the Chief Officer, including an annual appraisal.

● Together with the Treasurer, ensure proper management and control of local Citizens Advice finances.

● Together with the Chief Officer, represent the local Citizens Advice in relationships with funders or potential funders, at local events, and in the community.

● Work together with all trustees to ensure that the board can:

♦ Set policy and strategy direction, set targets, and evaluate the performance of Citizens Advice Richmond.

♦ Monitor the financial position of Citizens Advice Richmond, ensuring that it operates within its means and objectives, and ensuring there are clear lines of accountability for day-to-day financial management.

♦ Monitor whether Citizens Advice Richmond complies with its governing document and meets the required standards.

♦ Seek the views of all sections of the community and monitor how well the service meets the needs of the local community.

♦ Ensure the service plans for the recruitment and turnover of staff and volunteers.

♦ Review their own work and how effectively they operate, including action for improvement.

♦ Work on specific projects to further the strategic objectives of Citizens Advice Richmond.

What’s in it for you?

● Make a positive impact for people in your local area by ensuring the local Citizens Advice is sustainable and meeting the needs of the community.

● Meet people and build relationships with trustees, staff, and other volunteers.

● Build on your governance, leadership, and strategy skills.

● Increase your employability.

And they will reimburse expenses too.

What do you need to have?

You’ll need to:

● Understand the type of work undertaken by a local Citizens Advice.

● Understand and accept the responsibilities and liabilities as trustees.

● Be non-judgmental and respect views, values, and cultures that are different from your own.

● Have a good basis of leadership skills.

● Be able to facilitate and lead meetings.

● Have good interpersonal skills.

● Have good listening, verbal, and written communication skills.

● Be able to exercise good independent judgment.

● Have good numeracy skills to understand accounts with the support of the Treasurer.

● Be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles, and policies, including confidentiality and data protection.

● Be willing to undertake training in your role.

How much time do you need to give?

You will need up to one day a week for the regular activities, but this will vary. Trustee boards usually meet in the evenings, and you’ll likely need to give 12-15 hours per year to attend these. Sub-committees meet quarterly and a further 4-6 hours per year are required for these.

Valuing inclusion

Their volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, and they particularly welcome applications from disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBT+ and non-binary people, and people from Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities

Sutton Mental Health Foundation is looking to recruit a volunteer secretary position to the Trust Board, to support and assist the Chair and CEO.  This is an important and confidential role within the Trust.  The main areas of the role are, in consultation with the Chair and CEO, the preparation of all Board/AGM meetings, the preparation of Board/AGM papers, minute taking and writing up the minutes in a timely manner.  Other duties involve the support to the Trustees, as well as updating of trustee records.  Th board of trustees meets in-person, approximately every six weeks, in the London Borough of Sutton. A full role description will be provided on application.

As background information, Sutton Mental Health Foundation was established as a charity in 1994 and the aim of the Foundation is to support people with mental health needs in the Borough of Sutton, helping to keep them well and active and helping them to have a voice in mental health care in the Borough.  Our vision is to provide a community in Sutton which values mental wellbeing and understands how to respond positively to anxiety and distress.  The Foundation works together to promote mental wellbeing resilience and recovery from mental distress.

This is an exciting time in our growth as we look to grow our governance systems, build on our successes and ensure we are a radical, dynamic organisation rooted in our anti-racist and anti-oppressive values.  We are looking for a new Chair for our Trustee board, to join us and help lead and shape the future of the organisation. 

Saferworld is an independent international organisation working to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. We work with people affected by conflict to improve their safety and sense of security, and conduct wider research and analysis. We use this evidence and learning to improve local, national and international policies and practices that can help build lasting peace. Our priority is people – we believe in a world where everyone can lead peaceful, fulfilling lives, free from fear and insecurity. We are a not-for-profit organisation operational in 12 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Saferworld is currently looking for a new Chair of the Board of Trustees. This role will be responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of Saferworld, ensuring the organisation’s aims, objectives, and goals align with its governing document, as well as legal and regulatory guidelines. The ideal candidate should have a broad understanding of the charity sector as well as an understanding of how charities operate in a local context – often operating effectively in extremely challenging environments. An understanding of the UK charity context would be helpful but is not crucial. 

The Board is currently reviewing different governance models, including the possibility of a Chair/Vice Chair structure. While this model is still under consideration, it would involve clearly defined roles and responsibilities, helping to balance the workload and bring diverse perspectives to the Board’s leadership. The incoming Chair should be adaptable and open to these ongoing discussions, and play a key role in shaping and refining the governance structure to ensure it aligns effectively with Saferworld’s needs.

We are interested in hearing from individuals who share our values, possess the capacity for independent and creative thinking, and bring strong leadership, relevant competence and experience to our governing body. Whether you are an experienced Chair or wanting to take your first step at senior Board level, we still want to hear from you. 

Please download the recruitment pack for more information on how to apply to be the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Closing date: 11 May 2025