Chair Of Board Of Directors Volunteer Roles

New Opportunity! We are looking to recruit a new Chair for our thriving Community Centre South London.  You will be providing strategic leadership and direction to exiting board members, and our new team of staff.

To be a Chair of an organisation is an exciting and fulfilling role. The most effective Boards are ones which benefit from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets.

South Mitcham Community Association SMCA exists to promote voluntary and community action as a means of improving the quality of life for people in London Borough of Merton. 

SMCA is a community hub, providing a welcoming place for all residents, irrespective of their circumstances. A place where residents on a low income or requiring services to support them in making healthy lifestyle choices, can go for practical help, guidance, social networking and fun activities. Through our work we seek to promote community cohesion, a sense of pride within the community and increasing levels of perceived neighbourhood safety. Consultation and inclusiveness, together with relevance and affordability are important features of SMCA’s work.

In addition to the general responsibilities duties of the chair include the following.

Providing leadership to the organisation and the board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes to provide greater public benefit.

Chairing and facilitating board meetings ensuring:

° A balance is struck between time-keeping and space for discussions.

° Business is dealt with, and decisions made

° Decisions, actions, and deliberations are adequately minuted.

° The implementation of decisions is clearly assigned and monitored.

·Getting all directors involved in the Board’s work

·Ensuring an effective relationship between:

°            The Board and staff/volunteers

°            The Board and the external stakeholders/community

°    Checking that decisions taken at meetings are implemented

°    Representing the organisation at functions and meetings, and acting as a spokesperson as appropriate

°    Planning the annual cycle of board meetings and other general meetings where required.

°    Setting agendas for board and other general meetings

°    Developing the board of trustees including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning

°    Addressing conflict within the board and within the organisation

Remuneration The role of Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed.

Location: Meetings will be held in the South Mitcham Community Centre

Time commitment: 6 Board meetings per year +1 x AGM.

Skills/Knowledge: We are currently looking for individuals with leadership, decision making skills, governance, and an understanding of the voluntary sector 

Person specification

In addition to the person specification for a trustee, the chair should have the following qualities.

· Leadership skills

· Tact and diplomacy

· Good communication and interpersonal skills

· Impartiality, fairness, and the ability to respect confidences

· Demonstrates the highest standards of integrity, probity, and corporate governance

· Possesses relevant knowledge

· Has the relevant skills to plan and conduct board meetings effectively

· Takes responsibility for the Board’s composition and development.

It would also be desirable but not essential for the chair/vice-chair to have knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation and a wider involvement with the voluntary sector and other networks.

C3 Collaborating for Health is a charity founded in 2009 by our Director, Christine Hancock.

C3’s vision is a world where no one dies of preventable chronic disease, because they find it easier to live healthier lives. Each year, 41 million people die from chronic disease, at a global cost estimated to reach $47 trillion by 2030. Cardiovascular disease, some cancers, diabetes and chronic lung disease are the biggest causes of death globally every year, yet most cases are preventable.

Our mission is to bring communities together to create changes that make it easier to live healthier lives.

Although based in London, we pride ourselves on being a global NGO with international projects, and often call on our global network of over 3,000 contacts from 85+ countries for advice and to share news and best practice.

Chair opportunities

This is a time of transition for C3. Having founded the charity in 2009, and after an illustrious career spanning many decades in national and international health leadership roles, Christine plans to stop working full-time with C3 in the coming 12-24 months. Like many charities, during the past few years, we have found securing the financial resources to pursue our charitable goals to be challenging, and we recognise that these turbulent times continue for all.

In this context, our Board is clear that ‘business as usual’ is not an option for C3. We need to find new and financially sustainable ways of continuing our valuable work.

We are seeking a new Chair who will lead the organisation through this period of transition, enabling us to consider our strategic options and follow through with our agreed course of action. We are open to the possibility that this may involve different ways of working, new strategic partnerships or merger. What is most important to us is that we build on the significant achievements of C3 to date, and make a clear and meaningful contribution to chronic disease prevention in the future.

How to apply

Eastside People is supporting C3 Collaborating for Health in the recruitment of this role. Apply by submitting your CV and cover letter. 

Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following:

• Why are you interested in a Chair role, and why with C3? 
• How can you contribute to C3 as our Chair? Please highlight relevant experience and demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the role as set out in the role description and person specification?

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 make the application process work for you.

The closing date for applications is Mon 17th June with online shortlisting interviews taking place that week. Face to face interviews with the recruitment panel at the C3 will take place in early July. 

Cornwall Air Ambulance operates 19 hours a day, 365 days a year, delivering over 1100 critical care missions annually across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. As the first helicopter emergency medical service in the UK, Cornwall Air Ambulance holds a special place in people’s hearts, whether resident or visitor to the county. Thanks to their generosity, our Charity can not only continue to grow, but also embrace innovation and encourage aspiration.

We are now seeking to appoint a new Chair to lead our Trustee Board. With previous experience of high-level board operations, you will be comfortable in a senior, public facing role. You will also have a sound understanding of what good governance looks and feels like. Demonstrating sound judgement and leadership, your ability to control and manage meetings is critical, encouraging scrutiny and respectful challenge, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and that the Board remains focussed and strategic.

For further information about Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, the role and how to apply, please download our information pack.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Are you a future Chair committed to voluntary action?

Are you knowledgeable of the voluntary sector within criminal justice? Can you help us implement our new strategy during a crucial time in our sector?

Clinks are looking for a Chair who can lead our incredible board and work collaboratively with our leadership team to steward a vibrant and vital voluntary sector. Our current Chair has completed two terms and will be stepping down at our 2024 AGM at the end of this year. The Chair is pivotal to creating the conditions for overall board and individual director effectiveness, both inside and outside the boardroom. The Chair will provide leadership to the board, act as line manager to the Chief Executive Officer, manage quarterly board meetings and subcommittees, and lead in succession planning for the board.

Person Specification

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system in England and Wales and the role of the voluntary sector within it
• Knowledge of the UK voluntary sector and charity governance
• Commitment to the organisation, and willingness to devote the necessary time
• Commitment to anti-racism
• Ability to think creatively and strategically
• Understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• Good communication, interpersonal and leadership skills
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Impartiality, tact and diplomacy.

We welcome all applications, and we understand the importance of having a diverse board, representative of the communities impacted by criminal justice. Clinks is committed to becoming an anti-racist organisation and we are transparent about the work needed to achieve that. We especially welcome applications from racially minoritised people and those who represent Black and racially minoritised led organisations.

Chair of the Board of Trustees role!

We're looking for our new Chair of the Board of Trustees.

We're seeking a dynamic individual to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees. The primary responsibility of the Chair is to provide leadership and direction to the Board, ensuring effective governance and strategic direction for our organisation. 

This will be a non-remunerated role.

Essential Skills and Experience:

- Experience of Board or committee leadership of charity governance
- Knowledge of the building blocks of an effective Board and of leading and shaping a cohesive team
- Reflective and analytical, able to think innovatively, critically, independently, and strategically, demonstrating good judgement and commitment to learning
- Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of Chairing a Board in the charity sector
- Good communication and leadership skills
- Capable of constructive challenge, addressing issues with diplomacy, sensitivity, and discretion

Desirable:

- Understanding of fundraising
- Understanding of procurement
- Demonstrate a healthy understanding of risk, and its benefits - be prepared to take risks when appropriate
- Entrepreneurial instincts

This volunteer role will require an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The Association for Palliative Medicine of Great Britain and Ireland (APM) is one of the world's largest representative bodies of medical/healthcare professionals practicing or interested in palliative care, with a growing membership of over 1,400. Most members are doctors, and supporting them is the core focus of the APM. APM members support patients with life threatening illnesses to live and die as well as possible. It is the APM's mission to promote, facilitate, advance and develop excellence for the benefit of every individual patient and those important to them. As part of a wider governance review, the APM is making some exciting changes to it's organisational structures. The current Board will become the APM Council with a focus on professional matters and the creation of a new Board of Trustees will oversee the administration of the APM as a professional membership body and hold elected Officers to account.

About the APM:

The APM is a registered charity, and so it has a Board of Trustees acting as its governing body. The Board of Trustees is responsible for agreeing the APM business plan and monitoring the progress of APM affairs. Trustees also act as the custodians of the APM, ensuring effective management and administration and are registered as APM Directors with Companies House.

About the Lay Chair Role:

As the inaugural Lay Chair of the Board of Trustees, you will have the opportunity to work very closely the APM Officers and Council to help shape the role. You will note that a medical background is not a pre-requisite of the role. In leading the Board of Trustees you will have ultimate oversight of the affairs of the charity, and responsibility for ensuring it is solvent, well-run, and delivering on its charitable objective.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties as guardians of the APM.
• Ensure the APM governance structure effectively supports its activity, size and complexity.
• Chair Board meetings, fostering a culture of inclusiveness, transparency and collaboration.
• Supporting other trustees to fulfil their Board of Trustee responsibilities.
• Fulfil trustee duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability.
• In collaboration with the APM President, lead on defining of goals in strategic planning to forward the APM's charitable objectives.

Time commitment

The APM Board of Trustees will normally hold four meetings per year (likely to be a mixture of in-person and hybrid meetings). In addition, the Chair of Trustees will be expected to work closely with the APM Officers and Chief Operating Officer. On average, it is estimated that the time commitment will equate to one day per month, spread irregularly over a 12-month period. Trustees will serve a three-year term. Individual tenure may be extended by up to a maximum of a further three-year term to ensure orderly succession planning, subject to the agreement of the membership.

How to Apply:

We warmly welcome applications for this Lay Chair position, so please send your CV to Senior Appontments at Charity People and request for the candidate pack to be sent over

Timeline:
Closing date for applications: Monday 20th May

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 we can help make the application process work for you.

Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities with which we work.

Applications close at 12 p.m. Monday 20th May.

About the role.

Following the decision of our current Chair, the Solihull College & University CentreCorporation welcomes interest from candidates who have the time, passion, experience, and interest to become a Governor and our Chair Designate in summer 2024.

Initially joining as the named Chair Designate, with time to engage in an extended and supportive handover period through the 2024 autumn term, we look forward to welcoming the person appointed as Chair of Solihull College & University Centre from early 2025.

The Chair provides leadership to the Corporation and its members, working closely with the Principal & CEO and the Director of Corporate Governance, Risk & Compliance. Supported by two Vice Chairs, the Chair ensures Governors have oversight of organisational development and are made aware of risks affecting strategy, finance, staffing, student experience, or reputation, through receiving plans and reports from the Principal & CEO and her senior team.

The Corporation is comparable to a board of non-executive directors and is composed of members from the local community, stakeholders, students and staff members.

Actively involved in long-term visioning and approving the educational character of Solihull College & University Centre, the Chair ensures Governors’ diverse skills, areas of specialist knowledge, networks, and professional opinions are used for the advancement of the organisation and in the most appropriate way.

With up to 19 Members of the Corporation, plus two External Members, the Chair ensures professional engagement between the Corporation and both employees and learners, through both formal means (meetings) and informal opportunities (such as events and visits).

Governors help the organisation to maintain a long-term focus whilst working on its shorter-term goals and plans. The day-to-day management is very much the responsibility of the Principal & CEO, and the executive management team. The Corporation is advised by a Director of Corporate Governance, Risk & Compliance who is part of the senior leadership team.

There are seven meetings of the Corporation throughout the academic year (September through to July). In addition to this, there are additional meetings of the Search & Governance Committee, the Audit & Risk Committee, the Remuneration Committee, and the Financial Oversight Group. Opportunities for Governors to participate in visits and meetings with students are arranged throughout the year.

It is expected that – with preparation for meetings, regular contact with Governors and both the Principal & CEO and Director of Corporate Governance, Risk & Compliance, plus any ambassadorial duties and training – the person appointed should plan to spend up to five days per month fulfilling the duties of the Chair.

Who we are looking for.

To be successful in this non-executive Chair role, we believe it is important that the person appointed brings experience in strategic leadership. When considering the requirement to be the ‘critical friend’ for a chief executive of a complex £50m business of education and training, set across several campuses and operating across the West Midlands, having a Chair with skills and knowledge which supports the development of the Principal & CEO, the executive team, and the broader Corporation and its members, is important.

Ideally, our next Chair will be an experienced non-executive, and know from experience the difference between operational leadership, and strategic oversight and scrutiny. The application of this knowledge will be welcomed, so that we may continue to benefit from the mutual respect that exists between the non-executive and executive representatives at the College.

If the person appointed doesn’t have direct experience of being a non-executive director or board member, then we will expect them to be able to demonstrate their ability to chair well and know how to get the very best out of a talented and committed voluntary non-executive group.

More than experience, we need a Chair who is passionate about the work that we do to transform the lives of our learners and provide opportunities to help shape their futures. The further education sector is a wonderful and enriching part of our education sector and a place where anyone, with any background or starting point can come, learn, and progress.

We are very open to the background and sector experience of the next Chair. We recognise the many potential benefits of appointing someone with either public, private, or third-sector leadership experience.

Please click 'Apply via website’ 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 12 p.m. Monday 20th May. 

Role Summary

We are looking for a new Chair of Trustees who will offer strategic and supportive leadership to our highly effective, collaborative and committed Board.  The Chair leads the board, ensuring that it governs the charity effectively, in service of the charity's vision and mission.  The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the Board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive.  The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity.

Chair role & responsibilities 

Provide strategic leadership to the charity and the Board, ensuring that Glass Door achieves its mission with the interests of Glass Door's guests at its centre.

Work collaboratively with the CEO, staff and volunteers to achieve our mission and optimise the relationship between the Board and Glass Doors's staff and volunteers.

Provide leadership within the Board, ensuring that it fulfills its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation and promoting governance among fellow Trustees, providing clarity around boundaries between governance, management and operations.

Plan and chair the bi-monthly board meetings and the AGM, with colleagues as appropriate and liaise with the CEO, Company Secretary and Governance Trustee with regard to setting up meetings, agenda items and annual report content.

Facilitate meetings ensuring all have equal involvement in discussions, clarifying any uncertainties, confirming decisions made and actions to be taken and ensuring effective time management of meetings whilst providing appropriate periods of discussion and reflection.

Act as a spokesperson and figurehead for Glass Door when required.

Support Glass Door functions and events eg attendance at supporter events.

Support the Head of Fundraising & Major Donors with the cultivation of high-level donors, occassionally attending meetings where value can be added.

Represent the Board at staff Town Hall meetings.

Support the team liaising with partner churches and statutory authorities as required and be the public face of Glass Door in the local community.

Liaise with the CEO and he Board to keep an overview of the charity's affairs.

Provide supervision and support to the CEO as necessary in addition to planned monthly/bi-monthly 'catch up' meetings and, with the People Trustee, lead the CEO's annual performance review.

To act as final stage adjudicator for disciplinary and grievance procedures if required.

What we are looking for

Experience of being a Trustee, ideally in the third sector, and an understanding of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of a Trustee/Director.

A keen sense of strategic purpose.

Strong leadership skills, able to foster and promote a collaborative team environment and an inclusive and collaborative leadership style; able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing.

An ability to facilitate, mediate, influence and respect the confidences of colleagues.  The ability to listen and engage effectively.  You are comfortable with challenge and debate and are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment.

Excellent presentation and communication skills.

Advocate and ambassador - possess gravitas to lead the organisation and be able and willing to champion Glass Door.

Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to Glass Door's guests and ensure that the interests of our guests drive the decisions of the Board.

A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

A willingness to devote necessary time and effort to your duties as Chair and be available and responsive (e.g. when things sometimes 'come up' that require the Chair to advise, support or give consent to).

What's in it for the new Chair?

Our vision is a world where no one has to sleep on the streets of London and we're working every day to achieve this.  Your role as Chair will offer you an incredibly reqarding experience to use your skills and collaborate with the rest of the Board and staff members for the benefit of people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness.

For more information please see the full role description and Glass Door information pack attached,

St George’s Hospital Charity is a significant and positive force for change within our hospital and community. Thanks to the incredible support we receive from the wider community, we are able to fund a wide range of projects across our hospitals that make a real difference to staff and patients in southwest London. 

Main role and purpose of position 

St George’s Hospital Charity is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The Board are the trustees and directors of the charity. The trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, in accordance with the terms of its constitution, legal and regulatory requirements and best practice.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Collectively oversee the strategic direction of the charity and work towards the achievement of the charity’s vision and mission
• Ensure that the charity complies with legal, regulatory, and fiduciary responsibilities, in accordance with the terms of its constitution 
• Identify potential development opportunities for the charity, and leverage relationships to facilitate this
• Protect the property, reputation and resources of the charity through ongoing identification, monitoring and management of risks
• Advocate for the charity’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Encourage teamwork among Board members and create a strong, profitable and fulfilling working relationship with trustees and the Chief Executive
• Appoint and give support to the Chief Executive of the charity
• Act in the best interests of the charity at all times and to the benefit of present and future beneficiaries of the charity
• Make a positive contribution to the charity’s governance, in accordance with the Trustee Code of Conduct and the Board's Terms of Reference

Qualifications and experience

Fundraising & Trustee

Essential:

• A commitment to the mission, values, and ethos of the charity
• Knowledge of the voluntary sector
• Current or recent professional experience in major donor fundraising and/or strategic partnerships with companies or other organisations
• Passion for the cause and some form of local or regional community connection
• Able to demonstrate evidence of effective delivery working as part of a team 
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion 
• Ability to lead through facilitating, enabling, and consensus-building
• Ability to challenge constructively and supportively
• Ability to operate strategically, noticing trends, opportunities, and risks

Communications and change management Trustee

• Current or recent professional experience in change management and/or 
• Experience of strategic and digital communications

Clinician/general practitioner

Essential:

• All of the above 
• Current or recent professional experience working in a hospital environment or in the community as a GP or nurse 

Vice-Chair

The Vice-Chair supports the Chair of Trustees in leading the board, ensuring that it governs the charity effectively, in service of the charity’s vision and mission. The Vice-Chair helps leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive. The Vice-Chair is also an ambassador for the charity and may deputise for the Chair of Trustees as and when necessary.

Essential

• Experience of being a trustee
• A keen sense of strategic purpose 
• An inclusive leadership style: able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing
• The ability to listen and engage effectively. You are comfortable with challenge and debate and are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment 
• Advocate - be able and willing to champion St George’s Hospital Charity’ work through personal networks, social media, and other channels
• Be responsive and flexible, able to advise, support or help decision-making.
• In addition to the above, the Vice-Chair will have the responsibilities and qualities of all trustees

If you would like to be considered for the Vice-Chair role, please address the criteria above, as well as those for the specific Trustee role you are applying for when you make your application.

How to apply

Eastside People is supporting St George's Hospital Charity in the recruitment for these roles

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.

To express an interest in the role and to be considered, please submit the following:

• An up-to-date CV.
• A supporting statement that addresses all the criteria in the Qualifications and Experience above and outlines your motivation for applying.

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday 22nd May 2024.

Successful candidates will then be invited to interview. Face to face interviews to be held at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, on the 3rd, 4th and 6th June.

Role: Chair of the Board of Trustees, West Smethwick Enterprise.

Salary: N/A - Voluntary Position.

Location: Birmingham/Sandwell.

Time commitment: Five x 3.5 hour Board meetings per year, plus the Mentorship of the Director of Childrens Services and occasionally representing the Charity at various events and meetings with key stakeholders.

The Chair is also expected to have regular meetings with the Director of Childrens Services to ensure that upcoming Board Meetings are well planned, efficient and the relevant information is available to enable Trustees to make timely and well-informed decisions. This would constitute approx. 8-16 hours per month in time commitment.

Closing date: 30th April 2024.

About West Smethwick Enterprise

West Smethwick Enterprise CIC is a community-based charity with an aim to improve outcomes for children and families in some of the most socially and economically challenged areas within the UK. We currently provide high quality Pre-Schools for children aged between 2-5, from 5 locations across Smethwick and Ladywood in Birmingham, as well as offering family support services for children and their families within the local community.

We are also building local professional capability for the Early Years sector itself through pioneering partnerships with Higher Education providers. This initiative is primarily driven through our Pre-School centre based in Ladywood, Birmingham.

As WSE’s Chair of the Board of Trustees (BoT), you will be responsible for engaging the Trustees to support our talented, committed employees to continue growing a sustainable, resilient and agile organisation, capable of delivering an ambitious strategy; developing talent and capability; building successful partnerships and attracting suitable investment/funding.

West Smethwick Enterprise in a nutshell

Pre-school settings – 5

Turnover - £800k

Staff numbers – 37

Our values: Kindness, Fairness, Determination, Collaboration and Imagination. These values are deeply ingrained in our culture and the way we work with our colleagues and with the children and families we serve

About the role

The operation and success of West Smethwick Enterprise is overseen by a capable, dedicated and experienced Board of Trustees and this is led by the Chair.

Working closely with their Board of Trustees, the Chair is responsible for ensuring that our WSE leadership team continue to deliver financial stability, strong operational grip, high quality children’s services and apply strong governance to the organisation. The Chair also plays a crucial role overseeing the development and successful delivery of the strategy.

The successful Chair will provide mentorship to the Director of Children’s services, who leads the organisation on a day-to-day basis, helping her to continue to create a climate where the wider team can thrive and achieve new heights.

The role is perfect for a leader who is an experienced people manager, passionate about supporting young children from economically disadvantaged areas to thrive, and wants to use their skills, professional network and experience for good.

It is a voluntary position, with reasonable travel costs and expenses being covered.

The Chair position is a central leadership role within WSE, with the successful candidate drawing on their skills and experience to ensure the organisation can develop to meet the growing requirement for high quality, low cost and/or grant funded pre-school education in the Birmingham Ladywood and Smethwick footprint. We are keen to hear from anyone who is passionate about our aims, has time to give and feels able to lead West Smethwick Enterprise through the next chapter of growth.

Please refer to the attached job description fro the full job specification.

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? We are seeking a new chair to lead our board of trustees, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of volunteering and community projects in Kensington and Chelsea, one of London’s most diverse boroughs.

Established in 1969, we are the oldest Volunteer Centre in the country and are deeply rooted in the local community, empowering individuals to contribute positively through volunteering. Our programmes support diverse groups, including those living with disabilities and mental health challenges, ex-offenders, as well as marginalised residents seeking employment opportunities.

As chair, you will play a pivotal role in steering the Volunteer Centre towards its mission of fostering positive change in Kensington & Chelsea. Responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic leadership in partnership with the chief executive.
• Facilitating constructive decision-making within the board.
• Maintaining relationships with stakeholders and representing VCKC at various events.
• Supporting the development and cohesion of the board team.

By becoming chair of our board of trustees, you will have the opportunity to drive positive change and contribute to a vibrant community. If you are ready to make a difference, apply now and be part of something meaningful.

Queen Alexandra College (QAC) seek to appoint a new Chair of Governors to lead its board towards a future vision which will see them deliver a new strategy of growth and development in a place which is far more than a typical college.

Applications close at: 9 a.m. Tuesday 4th June 2024

Location: Harborne, Birmingham

Time commitment: 3 – 4 days per month

About Queen Alexandra College (QAC)

Queen Alexandra College has taken on many forms over the years. It has been based at its Court Oak Road site in Harborne, Birmingham, for the last 121 years.

We were initially established to provide education to young people who were blind or partially sighted. While we still do this, our 380+ students now also include those who are on the autistic spectrum, who have moderate to severe learning difficulties and who have physical disabilities. Each day, our students are supported by a dedicated team of 437 expert staff.

Our College is just one part of the wider Queen Alexandra Charity which also incorporates community services provision, residential accommodation and our wholly-owned subsidiary, QAC Enterprises, which offers a variety of specialist commercial services.

Our organisational structure is quite different to that of many other colleges. As well as being an organisation that provides education and training, we are also a charitable company – the Queen Alexandra Charity is made up of four elements: the College; community services; residential; and enterprises.

The College is the significant service area of the charity, attracting students predominantly from the West Midlands, but with one in eight coming from further afield. This means that we are currently working with over 35 local authorities nationally.

Operating on three west Birmingham sites, our provision has deep roots within the local area. Most teaching takes place at our Harborne Campus on Court Oak Road. Here, we have our fitness centre, sports hall and a range of specialist facilities which is also the location of our residential accommodation, supporting up to 24 students.

Our Umberslade Campus offers horticulture and outdoor learning and at the Pinewood Campus, the focus is on dedicated progression to work. Based in a business hub, it a feel that is distinctly ‘not college’.

We aim to maximise life chances, as well as develop independence and work skills. This is delivered through a range of provision including preparation for life, vocational and supported internship programmes and our LEAP curriculum which includes courses in animal care, design and production, hospitality and catering, multi-trades, retail and business and sport and leisure. Through our vocational curriculum, we provide courses up to Level 3 in a number of areas and our students can also take GCSEs in English and mathematics. We provide work experience, careers support, PSHE and tutorials — all are interwoven across each study programme.

We encourage our students not just to learn but to self-improve with the ultimate aim to ‘Empower Abilities and Inspire Lives’.

It is a testament to what parents and carers know about us, and to how students value us, that we have continued to grow; the demand for our places remains constant. Due to this, governors are in the position of needing to consider a growth strategy beyond our current strategic plan.

However, at a time when strategic growth is at the forefront of our thinking, there are also challenges ahead. On-site, we have a constant need to improve the quality of our provision and our student experience, ensuring we continue to evidence the positive impacts we make. Nationally, there are challenges regarding funding which may have an impact on our ambitions.

Given our aspiration coupled with the challenge, we now seek to appoint a new Chair to lead our Board — someone who can play a crucial role in helping us to navigate such issues.

About the role

Our governors are company directors and charity trustees, and they are responsible for strategic oversight of the charity’s activities.

The governing body has enjoyed stability for many years, drawing on a range of skills and backgrounds. This year, however, will see the retirement of three of our most experienced members including the Chair and the Vice-Chair.

At present, governance is conducted through the Board of Governors and through committees dealing with finance, curriculum, governance, remuneration and audit.

Our new Chair will not only play a vital role in leading our Board, they will also have a role to play on one or more of these other committees where their time and expertise allows.

In addition, our Chair of Governors, the Chief Executive & Principal, Beverley Jessop, and the Director of Governance, Paul Walker, meet regularly as ‘the triumvirate’ to consider business.

We believe this opportunity to lead our board represents a truly unique opportunity which will allow the postholder the chance to have an impact on our short, medium, and long-term strategy, whilst helping us provide first-class opportunities to our students.

Who we are looking for

The key ingredient to everything we do here at QAC is a passion for improving the life chances and opportunities of our students, and this is something that we believe all candidates will need to possess, along with a recognition of the impact that education and skills development have on our students.

We recognise that we are a relatively unique entity as both a charity and an education provider coupled with the other facets of our wider business. As such, we will welcome applications from people with experience gained from a range of appropriate professional backgrounds.

Primarily, our new Chair should be someone who has a passion for improving life chances of young people, perhaps with an understanding and knowledge of SEND, further education and/or social care.

Our new Chair will undoubtedly need to have previous governance and board experience. This could have been gained as a Chair, a Committee Chair or as a governor elsewhere.

Our College is a hive of activity with an inclusive and vibrant atmosphere. Our students feel safe, cared for and supported and our staff demonstrate their commitment on a daily basis. We hope that our new Chair will be a person who wants to and can contribute to this wider organisational experience; someone who will become a visible, familiar part of our College community.

Peridot Partners and Queen Alexandra College are, together, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click 'Apply via website’ 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. Tuesday 4th June 2024.

Are you passionate about supporting people who have experienced homlessness? Do you believe in giving people a second chance?If so, then this opportuity could be for you!

Emmaus Leicestershire & Rutland, support people who have experienced or been at risk of homelessness, find a place where they can enjoy companionship and support.

We are about to embark on an exciting project to redevelop our Stockwell Head site based in Hinckely. If you enjoy a challagne and would like to be part of the new look Emmaus Leicestershire and Rutland - please get in touch.

Do you want to help shape the future of public services? Are you interested in how to make the UK a fairer country? Are you frustrated by the state of political debate on tax? 

If you are ready to demand change, we invite you to apply to join the board of Tax Justice UK, helping us to campaign for a fairer and more effective tax system. We want to see higher taxes to support quality public services and ensure the redistribution of wealth. 

We are looking for people who are passionate about making change and who can offer the support we need to be an effective campaigning and advocacy organisation. We have space for two people to join our board. 

We’re particularly interested in people who have experience and skills in the following areas:

• Running small, or non-profit, organisations (board or senior leadership)

• Strategic communications, public or political campaigning, movement building or digital marketing. 

• Fundraising, including individual giving and major donors 

For more information about the two general board of director roles, please download the application pack. 

Closing date for applications: 10am on 10 June

Interviews will take place on 2nd and 3rd July (in person in Vauxhall - we can cover any reasonable travel expenses)

First meeting date: 24 October 2024, 2-4pm (in person in Vauxhall)