Help lead the Real Farming Trust into its next chapter as Chair of the Board of Trustees
Type: Voluntary (Expenses Paid)
Time Commitment: Approx. 1-2 days/month, plus annual retreats and sector events
Be part of a movement for food justice and ecological transformation
The Real Farming Trust (RFT) is a pioneering UK charity whose purpose is to connect and support people who are transforming our food system through agroecology. Since starting the Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) in 2010, the RFT has grown into a dynamic organisation with a turnover of ~£1M.
As the organisation enters a new strategic cycle through to 2030, it is seeking a new Chair to guide the board and support the executive team in delivering bold, systemic change in food and farming. This is a unique opportunity to lead an organisation at the heart of the agroecological movement, convening grassroots voices, shaping policy discourse, and investing in community-led solutions.
Why This Role Matters
As Chair, you will:
- Provide strategic leadership during a pivotal phase of growth and transformation and enable the charity to fulfil its purpose.
- Champion equity, diversity, and inclusion across programmes and governance.
- Support the Executive Directors and staff to foster a resilient, values-led organisational culture.
- Represent RFT externally, including speaking at the ORFC and other sector events.
- Guide the board through governance best practice and renewal.
Who We're Looking For
We're seeking a visionary leader with:
- Board-level chairing experience in the charity or social enterprise sector with a detailed understanding of the principles and practice of good charity governance.
- A values-led, inclusive leadership style - humble, strategic, emotionally intelligent.
- Deep commitment to agroecology, food sovereignty, climate justice, and equity.
- Experience in or knowledge of food systems, farming, and agroecology.
- The strategic skills and experience to lead a significant and growing national charity.
What You'll Gain
- A defining role in shaping the future of food and farming in the UK.
- The opportunity to amplify grassroots voices and drive systemic change.
- A platform to demonstrate inclusive leadership and transformative impact.
- Connection to a vibrant, mission-driven team and a national network of changemakers.
Recruitment Timeline:
To ensure equitable access to information and uphold its commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), the RFT will be hosting a Q&A webinar on Thursday 4th December from 11-12pm in place of individual informal calls with the Chair and Executive Directors. We encourage all interested candidates to submit questions in advance, which will be addressed during the session. Please register your interest in attending this webinar, and we will send you a link..
Application deadline: Thursday 15th January 2026
First round interviews - Online: w/c 9th February 2026
Final interviews - In-person (Oxford): w/c 16th February 2026
How to Apply
Charity People Ltd is acting as recruitment advisor to RFT on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited initially to submit a CV to to receive the candidate pack, which has the full application details and a link to the webinar.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Fabrice Yala at Charity People.
We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. If you require any assistance or adjustment to make the application process work for you, please let us know.
We're recruiting two non‑executive Co‑Directors to help guide Studio Lutalica's next chapter. You won't run day‑to‑day ops; you'll bring clear, values‑led oversight so our team can focus on impact.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Our Co-Directors form our board and are collectively responsible for the governance and strategic direction of Studio Lutalica. This is a non-executive role, akin to that of a trustee in a charity. You will play a crucial part in ensuring we remain true to our values, legally compliant, and financially sustainable, all while helping to steer our long-term vision. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of a ground-breaking design studio and contribute to our community impact.
SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL DIRECTORS
Strategic Leadership + Governance
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the organisation's strategic plan.
- Act in the company's best interests and in good faith to achieve its community purposes.
- Ensure the company complies with all legal and regulatory requirements for a CIC in Scotland.
- Exercise independent judgment and reasonable care, skill, and diligence in your duties.
Values and Ethics
- Champion our core values of intersectional feminism, trans inclusivity, and environmental justice in all decisions.
- Foster a culture of inclusivity, accountability, and wellbeing for the entire team.
- Uphold our commitment to design excellence and accessibility.
Operational Oversight
- Participate actively in quarterly board meetings and join our Governance + Finance subgroup meetings.
- Scrutinise board papers, ask critical questions, and contribute to collective decision-making.
- Avoid conflicts of interest and declare any interests in proposed transactions.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
We're specifically looking to fill expertise gaps in Finance and Fundraising + Income Generation, though we welcome a diverse range of expertise and lived experience.
Finance
- Review budgets, management accounts, and financial statements prepared by the executive team.
- Ask constructive, challenging questions and highlight risks and trade‑offs.
- Ensure appropriate internal controls and policies exist and are followed.
- Advise on the financial implications of proposed strategies, projects, or partnerships.
- Stress‑test scenarios and support sensible reserves and risk policies.
- Provide assurance that statutory filings and CIC obligations are being met by management.
Fundraising + Income Generation
- Develop and oversee the execution of an ambitious and achievable fundraising strategy in collaboration with the team.
- Identify and research potential funding sources, including trusts, foundations, corporate partnerships, and public sector grants.
- Provide strategic guidance on the preparation of high-quality funding applications and proposals.
- Act as a champion for Studio Lutalica, helping to build and maintain relationships with key funders and stakeholders.
- Monitor, evaluate, and report on fundraising performance to the board, providing insight and recommendations.
DESIRABLE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
We always welcome additional expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Governance + Policy
- Creative Practice + Client Delivery
- Communications
- Legal
- People + Culture
- Impact Data + Measurement
TIME COMMITMENT
Co-Directors are expected to attend a 90-minute board meeting each quarter. In addition, you will be expected to join at least one of the subgroups which meets regularly. The total time commitment, including meeting preparation and subgroup work, is anticipated to be around 5-6 hours per month.
WHY STUDIO LUTALICA?
Join us at Studio Lutalica, where your skills in communications and partnerships will directly contribute to creating a more inclusive world. We’re a feminist and queer-led organisation dedicated to empowering underrepresented communities. By joining our team, you’ll be part of a workplace that values creativity, inclusivity, and collaboration.
We amplify women’s and LGBTQ+ voices with lived-experience leadership, delivering tailored creative that tackles barriers and grows impact.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Could you be the new Chair of CPRE Buckinghamshire (one of the branches of CPRE – the Countryside Charity)? Do you care about your local community and environment?
We have a long and successful history of campaigning on items that matter to the local area – canvassing, prompting and lobbying local authorities, Councillors and MPs. In doing so, we have been able to ensure that the views of the people who depend on, work on and cherish the Buckinghamshire countryside are reflected in local decision-making.
The Chair role will suit someone living in Buckinghamshire or the Milton Keynes area, who has a keen interest in the countryside and is excited by the prospect of helping to direct the future of CPRE Buckinghamshire over the next 5–7 years. It is an exciting time to join our team, as CPRE nationally is celebrating 100 years in 2026; you can be involved in making plans as to how we will celebrate this with the Buckinghamshire community through various events and activities.
You will help to:
- direct our important campaigns, engaging the local community and raising awareness of the issues that the countryside faces
- lead our Trustee board, and recruit new Trustee members
- increase our membership, so that we can continue to do the work we are doing
- expand our team of volunteers, so that we can widen and increase the work that we do
- liaise with stakeholders and partners, and forge new partnerships
- ensure that we as a charity meet our legal requirements, adhering to our governing document, and have the necessary policies and resources
- nurture and shape the future of CPRE Bucks.
We estimate that the time commitment will be around 1 day a week, although this is variable and dependent on activities. You can of course do more if you wish! Our team works and meets remotely most of the time, but occasional travel may be necessary – to attend CPRE Head Office in London, for example.
This is a volunteer role in which you can really make a difference. We welcome applicants of any age, gender and background.
CPRE Buckinghamshire is an environmental charity dedicated to protecting the countryside.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.