Finance volunteer roles

Citizens Advice Plymouth employs 180 staff and has 50 volunteers, who work both locally and nationally to support people who have problems with debt, housing, welfare benefits, employment and many other advice areas.

We can all face problems that seem complicated and intimidating. At Citizens Advice Plymouth, we believe that no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice.

We have a clear set of strategic aims. These allow us to provide the advice and support people need for the problems they face and work towards changing policies and practices that affect people’s lives. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.

The Board of Trustees has an interesting and challenging task to ensure that the governance and finances of the charity are correct and to advise and support the senior leadership team

The Role

We currently have 9 Trustees and are looking to strengthen our Board of Trustees with 2 new Trustees, who can use their professional and lived experiences, skills and talents to contribute to the on-going success of the Charity. We are specifically seeking individuals who offer experience in one or more of the following areas:

- Chair designate to take over from the current Chair once inducted and has a full understanding of the organisation. We expect that to take approximately 6-12 months depending on time commitments.

- Finance and accounting (not necessarily within a charitable setting, but this would be beneficial) in order to succeed our current Treasurer in 2 years’ time.

- Leadership experience within a charitable organisation

- Previous experience as a Trustee or governor

- Local involvement in the City of Plymouth

We are committed to further diversifying our Board to represent the communities that we serve across Plymouth. We would particularly like to hear from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and LGBTQ+ groups. We are also currently seeking to redress our current imbalance so we would particularly appreciate female applicants or people under the age of 30.

We seek a Chairperson to head our Board at Evolve Counselling who will guide our strategic direction in the provision of lowest cost mental health counselling for individuals and businesses. 

Location: Cambridgeshire area of operations. Chair can be fully remote. 

Voluntary: Reasonable expenses paid 

Commitment: Initial term of 1 -3 years. Flexible hours per month 

Closing date: Tuesday 6 May at 9:00 

Overview 

For over 40 years Evolve Counselling has provided lowest-cost professional mental health counselling for adults in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Northamptonshire and beyond, through the skill and dedication of our team of 60+ BACP-registered counsellors.

The role 

We are looking for a new Chair who understands the growing demand for our services and the challenges of competing as a medium sized charitable business at this time. We shall look to our new Chair to build trust and engagement with our CEO, the Trustee Board, our volunteers, and supporters, as we capitalise on great recent work to stabilise and find new opportunities for significant growth. 

The new chairperson will ideally bring health and wellbeing experience and commercial skills, as well as a demonstrable empathy for charitable working and commitment to the Nolan Principles of public life. 

The role of the Chair is hugely rewarding and the scope under the leadership of the current CEO for Evolve to grow and innovate is significant. You will have significant senior leadership experience to drawn upon as you take ultimate responsibility for directing and inspiring the Trustees, making sure we are financially sustainable, and well run for our clients. Our ethos is to look upwards and outwards as we strive for a leading position in mental health services for all, and your commercial acumen, professional contacts, and powers of persuasion in business will be a huge support for our ambitions. 

Including quarterly board meetings, committee sessions (at present virtual), a face-to-face AGM event, plus away days, and regular meetings with our CEO and the trustees, we anticipate a flexible time commitment of around 2 - 5 days per month. 

For further information or an informal discussion on the role, please contact Kevin Bottrell.

Application process: Expressions of interest in the first instance by email to our CEO Gordon Ackroyd.

Overview of the role

Uttlesford Foodbank are seeking someone with financial experience to join the board as a trustee, who will be able to lead on financial matters, ensuring we meet our financial obligations and help us build a sound financial strategy as we move forward. This role involves leading on the financial affairs of the food bank and ensuring that they are conducted within the required legal, accounting, and good practice frameworks.

Responsibilities

As a trustee you will share collective responsibility for the governance of the food bank and all decisions made by the board, ensuring the organisation is well run, fulfils its mission, is compliant with charity law and that the charity is open and accountable. It is also the responsibility of the treasurer to work in partnership with the chairperson and other trustees to ensure the financial viability and development of the organisation.

Key tasks:

• ensure the Board of Trustees fulfils its financial responsibilities
• ensure that the food bank has proper systems for budgeting, financial control, insurance and reporting
• ensure that financial reports: are comprehensible and properly discussed at trustee board meetings; are provided in the proper format and at the proper time, as required by the relevant charity regulator body (Charity Commission of England & Wales); have properly appointed auditors or independent examiners

Other responsibilities, along with the board of trustees, include:

• to approve, support, and guide the charity’s purpose, vision, strategy, goals and objectives
• to manage the charity’s resources responsibly, including ensuring the charity’s assets are used only to carry out its purpose, avoid undue risk, and not over-commit the charity
• to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity, responding to changes in the local community as appropriate to ensure that key risks are identified, monitored, and controlled appropriately
• to ensure appropriate financial plans are in place, budgets are monitored, and progress is evaluated
• to review and approve financial statements
• to help promote the organisation to key stakeholders and beneficiaries
• to ensure the charity has appropriate procedures to comply with current legislation and good practice, including employment, health and safety, equity, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, and GDPR compliance/data protection
• to prepare for and regularly attend and participate in board and subcommittee meetings and any trustee away days.

About you

• a knowledge of and commitment to the work of the Uttlesford Foodbank
• previous experience or an ability in: financial accounting and reporting procedures; communicating financial information to those who may have little or no financial background; keeping financial records up to date.
• A knowledge and passion for your local community
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Willingness to actively participate in discussions concerning needs of the foodbank’s beneficiaries, staff, and the trustee board
• Willingness to act in the best interest of the charity
• Sound, independent judgement and ability to think creatively
• Working effectively as a team member and demonstrating a willingness to learn and develop

Benefits of volunteering

• feeling you are making a difference whilst volunteering with us
• meeting new people and being part of a motivated team who share a passion to eradicate poverty in our community
• building a movement of change with our volunteers, staff, and the people who use our food bank
• bringing our staff, volunteers, and trustees together to achieve our vision
• gaining a greater insight and understanding of local agencies and partnerships

This role would be ideal for an early- or mid-career financial professional who is looking to broaden their range of skills and experiences within a friendly, welcoming, charity setting.

Impact of your role

By leading on the financial matters of the food bank operation, you are part of providing a vital holistic support function in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting, or anyone who comes into contact with, Uttlesford Foodbank.

Support

A full trustee induction is in place to support the prospective candidate within their role, as well as access to local voluntary action trustee training.

This is a dynamic and evolving charity with a high profile locally. We anticipate continuing to evolve rapidly and therefore the contribution of individual trustees in shaping our next phase is key. Every new idea can make a difference.

What will you be doing?

The trustees' role is to provide guidance, governance and strategic direction. We have small paid staff (including a full-time CEO) who co-ordinate a large cohort (~150) of volunteers.

The commitment for a trustee is 6 meetings (early evening) per year plus an annual away-day. Periodically trustees will also be needed for other duties - eg interviewing potential employees.

Our funding comes from a variety of sources: local council, National Lottery and other major funders as well as many local people and businesses.

We our looking to boost our Trustee capacity with a need for both "general" trustees and in particular people with financial knowledge able in due course to take on the role of treasurer. Other specific skills desired are: HR, knowledge/experience in the homeless sector, property management.

Whilst we welcome people of all faiths and none, the charity has its roots in local Christian churches and we particularly welcome interest from people active in their local churches.

What are we looking for?

We are looking to add more than one trustee. 

We are particularly interested in people with: financial expertise, experience in the homelessness sector, experience in property management, HR. 

However what is needed above all is people with vision and commitment to what we do as an organisation and a lack of experience in those areas is not a bar to application.

Though we welcome people of all faiths and none as users of our service, the organisation has its roots in local Christian churches and we especially welcome expressions of interest from people active in their local church.

What difference will you make?

This is a small charity which has grown quickly from a traditional volunteer-only, seasonal night shelter, to something much bigger.

It's clear that what we do makes a huge difference to our guests and everything the trustees do is built around doing what will best benefit them.

We anticipate continuing to evolve rapidly and therefore the contribution of individual trustees in shaping our next phase is key. Every new idea can make a difference.

We are seeking a Chair of Trustees to help steer Elayos as we grow and develop our work. Elayos exists to bring compassion, support and advocacy to vulnerable and isolated birthing people in Birmingham. As a charity, we come alongside, build relationships, listen and equip with the information needed to empower our clients to have a positive and informed pregnancy, birth and postnatal period.

Our staff and volunteers offer continuity of care as we assist with emotional, practical and physical needs. Where appropriate, we signpost and collaborate with other organisations to ensure that the greatest range of support is given. 

As a charity we are particularly interested in increasing the diversity of our board. We are especially interested in hearing from individuals representative of the communities in which we work. This includes people from BAME, disability and LGBTQ+ communities. 

In addition to increasing the diversity of our board Elayos aims to recruit board members who cover a wide range of skill sets. In particular those with a background in strategy, EDI, risk management and finance.

oung Lives Consortium charity plays a vital role in supporting voluntary and community groups working with children, young people, and families across West Yorkshire.

As we continue to grow and evolve, we are looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to join our Board of Trustees. 

Becoming a trustee of YLC offers a unique opportunity to:

• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and their communities
• Use your skills and experience to influence strategic decisions
• Gain valuable governance experience and leadership development
• Work alongside like-minded professionals committed to social change

We welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in: 

• Finance and accounting
• Legal and governance
• Fundraising and income generation
• Marketing and communications
• Human resources and organisational development
• Youth work or social care

If you are interested in becoming a trustee, please send us:

• A copy of your CV
• A short personal statement outlining why you want to join YLC and how your skills align with the role

Join Menphys as a Trustee – Make a Difference with Your Accountancy Skills!

Are you a numbers whiz with a heart for making a real impact? Menphys, a dynamic and passionate charity supporting disabled children and their families, is on the lookout for a dedicated Trustee with an accountancy background. This is a voluntary role where your expertise can help shape the future of an incredible organisation!

Who Are We?

Menphys has been at the heart of the community for over 50 years, providing life-changing support, inclusive activities, and vital resources for disabled children and their families. Our mission is simple: to create a world where every child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to thrive.

The Role

As a Trustee, you’ll play a key part in overseeing our financial sustainability, ensuring transparency, and guiding strategic decisions. We need someone who can bring financial expertise, insight, and a fresh perspective to our Board, helping us continue to grow and make a difference.

What We’re Looking For:

• A qualified or training accountant or finance professional (CIMA, ACCA, ACA, or equivalent)
• Experience in financial oversight, budgeting, and risk management
• A passion for supporting children and young people with disabilities
• Strategic thinking and the ability to contribute to Board discussions
• Commitment to attending monthly Board meetings and occasional subcommittees

What’s In It for You?

• The chance to use your skills for an inspiring cause
• Join a supportive and friendly team of fellow Trustees
• Gain valuable board-level experience
• Make a genuine difference in the lives of children and families

If you’re ready to be part of something truly special and give back in a meaningful way, we’d love to hear from you!

Apply today or get in touch for an informal chat.

We specifically need a Finance Trustee but would also love to hear from people with experience in leadership, diversity and inclusion, information governance, HR, fundraising and event management.

Help children as Trustee of an innovative, enterprising Tees Valley Charity that is increasingly supporting children in care through fostering and a planned residential provision. Join an agency that transforms children's lives.

What will you be doing?

You will join us at an exciting time as we pursue growth of fostering and residential services, as well as growth of our early help offer. 

You will work across the Charity and the subsidiary fostering company (which we will amalgamate back into the parent Charity). 

You will have a particular focus on helping the fostering agency drive growth, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver excellent care for children and support for foster parents. You will provide support and challenge to the management team.

You’ll contribute 2 to 6 hours a month. The Charity board meets every 8 weeks (shifting to quarterly after September) and the fostering board meets every 8 weeks. 

You’ll join a Charity that’s brought £millions of investment into Tees Valley and that helps over 1000 local people a year. We’ve been runners up at the national Charity Governance Awards and ‘community’ winners at the Hartlepool Business Awards. 

We are looking for experienced professionals who share our values and want to help. 

What are we looking for?

At this time we are specifically looking for Trustees with some of these areas of skills or experience:

Business development 

Safeguarding management

Fostering or children's residential care or childrens social work management 

Financial management 

What difference will you make?

We want to help children and family members heal from trauma, primarily through helping them develop a network of nurturing, loving and appropriately challenging relationships with people in their close and wider communities. Any small surplus we make from helping children in care will be diverted into work to help families stay together and thrive. You will join a team that strives to make this difference. You will help ensure the Charity keeps a strong focus on children and young peoples needs whilst being sustainability and ensuring the agency manages the risks associated with growth and investment in new services. 

Before you apply

After expressing an interest through the site, we'd welcome an initial conversation with our CEO and/or Chair. After that, we usually  take applications to the Board for consideration. This is usually quite a quick process. 

We’re not just talking about change — we’ve lived it.

We’re looking for a Treasurer/Trustee to help power our pre-treatment work.

Dear Prospective Trustee

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Trustee and Treasurer for Woolwich Service Users Project (WSUP). As a grassroots charity rooted in lived experience, we are committed to providing holistic support for individuals and families facing poverty, homelessness, substance misuse, and mental health challenges. 

Our work is growing, and we are seeking a dedicated and skilled Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees. This is a critical role in ensuring financial sustainability, governance, and transparency, helping us to continue delivering essential services to the community. 

If you are passionate about social impact and have finance, accountancy, or financial management expertise, we would love to hear from you. 

We hope this pack provides you with an insight into our work and what being a Trustee at WSUP involves. Please reach out if you have any questions. 

Warm regards, 

Chris Hill 

Chair of Trustees 

About WSUP 

Woolwich Service Users Project (WSUP) is a community-led charity providing practical, health, and wellbeing support to people at risk or experiencing homelessness and poverty in Woolwich and the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Our services include: 

• Essential Support: Hot meals, clothing, showers, laundry, and haircuts. 

• Healthcare Access: Hepatitis C, TB testing, eye exams, GP drop-in 

• Housing & Benefits Signposting: Preventing homelessness through connecting with services. 

• Recovery Support: Harm reduction and peer-led recovery pathways. 

• Community Engagement: Mindfulness sessions and volunteering opportunities. 

WSUP is committed to embedding Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) to improve service user experience. 

We work closely with local and national partners, including South East London Cancer Alliance, King's College London, Commonweal Housing, and homelessness services across South East London, Groundwork - Greenwich Healthier Communities Fund. 

Treasurer (Trustee) role description 

As well as fulfilling the general duties of a Trustee, the Treasurer maintains an overview of WSUP’s financial affairs, ensuring appropriate financial measures, controls, and procedures are in place. The Treasurer reports to the Board at regular intervals on the financial health of the organisation. 

Key responsibilities 

• Overseeing the presentation of budgets, internal management accounts, monthly and annual financial statements to the Board of Trustees.

• Ensuring that proper accounting records are kept, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.

• Ensuring that robust and comprehensive financial policies are in place and being implemented and supporting the development of policies covering financial reserves and cost management.

• Monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity.

• Overseeing financial controls and adherence to systems, regularly liaising with Chief Executive.

• Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, including overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process

• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities and liaising with the Chief Executive to develop the financial understanding of the Board of Trustees. 

• Defining Key Performance indicators (KPI’s) and tracking against forecast. Also to include monitoring fundraising targets. 

• Ensuring investments and assets are maximised. 

• Lead on the appointment of and liaison with external auditors.

• Oversee the development and implementation of systems for appraising, mitigating and reporting corporate risk.

• Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by relevant statutory bodies, for example, the Charity Commission and/or the Registrar of Companies. 

• Liaise with the bank and be involved with the payment authorisation process 

• Oversee payroll updates and payment authorisation, plus authorise/pay employment related taxes/pensions/NI 

• Review financial aspects of grant applications 

What we are looking for 

Essential skills & experience 

• A finance professional. A knowledge of charity finance is an advantage. Otherwise an enthusiasm to learn, drawing from sound commercial experience and an understanding of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector 

• A strategic thinker with an ability to balance risk and opportunity. 

• Clear communicator with the ability to bring the financial information alive to non-finance specialists.

• Willing to play an active role in areas such as forecasting, setting budgets, liaising with auditors 

Desirable skills 

• Understanding of grant funding, financial sustainability, and social impact finance. 

• Experience working with QuickBooks, Xero, or similar accounting software. 

• Previous experience as a Trustee, Treasurer, or charity finance lead. 

General responsibilities of all trustees 

As a Trustee, you will: 

• Support and provide advice on WSUP’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.

• Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.

• Oversee WSUP’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.

• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.

• Review and approve WSUP’s financial statements.

• Provide support and challenge to WSUP’s CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.

• Keep abreast of changes in WSUP’s operating environment.

• Contribute to regular reviews of WSUP’s own governance.

• Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.

• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect WSUP’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.

• Contribute to the broader promotion of WSUP’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts. 

As a small charity, there will be times when the trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Time commitment & term 

• Board Meetings: Held monthly (in Woolwich or remotely). 

• Finance & Audit Meetings: 3–4 per year. 

• Ad-hoc Involvement: Supporting the CEO on financial matters. 

• Estimated Time Commitment: 1–2 days per month. 

• Term: 3 years, with the option for renewal (max 9 years). 

• Expenses: This is a voluntary role, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. 

Benefits of becoming a WSUP Trustee 

• Play a key role in shaping the future of a growing, community-led charity. 

• Gain experience in charity governance, leadership, and financial management. 

• Work alongside a team of passionate and experienced professionals. 

• Make a tangible impact in the lives of people in Royal Borough of Greenwich. 

• Develop new skills and networks in the charity and voluntary sector. 

How to apply 

To apply for the role of Treasurer, please submit: 
- Your CV outlining your relevant experience. 
- A short cover letter (max 1 page) explaining why you are interested in the role and how your skills align with WSUP’s needs. 

If you’d like to discuss the role informally, please contact CEO, Darek Karwacki 

Commitment to diversity & inclusion 

WSUP is committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of homelessness, substance dependancy, or mental health challenges, as well as those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people with experience of migration, and those in precarious housing. 

We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to support your application. 

Thank you for your interest in joining WSUP as a Trustee. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Woolwich Service Users Project (WSUP) 

Charity No: 1175999 

Join Us as Treasurer Trustee – Help Secure the Future of Sherwood Forest for People & Nature

Do you have strong financial acumen and are passionate about conservation and heritage? Since 1995, our charity has been at the heart of protecting and preserving the rich natural and cultural heritage of Sherwood Forest. Through dedicated conservation projects, community engagement, and educational initiatives, we work to restore threatened heathlands, expand woodlands, and inspire people to connect with this historic landscape.

With funding from the National Heritage Fund, we are embarking on an exciting programme to restore lowland heathlands across the Sherwood National Character Area. As Treasurer Trustee, you will play a vital role in ensuring the charity’s financial health, sustainability, and strategic growth—helping us make the most of our resources to continue this important work for future generations.

We have a high-performing staff finance officer so this is not a Treasurer role where you are required to do the book keeping. Instead you will be the key link between the staff team and the Board as you support your fellow Trustees in the performance of their governance duties and understanding of the charity’s finances.

You’ll be joining a passionate, committed and experienced board of trustees who are in close connection with our CEO led staff team. This is a fantastic opportunity to use your financial expertise to shape the future of a well-established charity. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to apply your skills in financial oversight, strategic planning, and governance - while making a real impact on the environment we would love to hear from you.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive board and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including those with varied professional expertise and lived experiences. We encourage applications from individuals who can bring different perspectives to our work and help us better serve the communities we support.

If you would like an informal chat around the role, please contact our CEO, Helen (contact details on the next tab). To apply, please send your CV or Linkedin profile accompanied with a letter explaining why you want to become a trustee and what you hope to bring to the Board of Trustees.

Join the Board of Trustees at Leicester Print Workshop

Leicester Print Workshop is seeking up to three committed individuals to join our Board of Trustees.

About Leicester Print Workshop

Leicester Print Workshop, an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, offers high quality printmaking facilities and development opportunities for artists in the East Midlands and beyond. Its outreach activities in local schools and the community aim to increase participation in printmaking among people of all ages. The organisation is currently seeking trustees to help guide its strategic direction during an important phase of development. 

Key Skills Sought

To complement the skills of our existing trustees, we are seeking individuals with significant experience in philanthropic fundraising, financial management or development of online learning.  Previous experience as a trustee would be helpful, but training will be provided for those taking on their first board appointment.

Why Join Us?

·Play a vital role in shaping the future of a leading arts organisation.

·Collaborate with a passionate team dedicated to promoting the art of printmaking.

·Contribute your expertise to a respected and influential institution.

Commitment

These positions are unremunerated and require a commitment of up to 10 days per year.Appointments are for three years initially, renewable once.

Closing date 9th May 2025

Newcastle Theatre Royal is one of the best loved and most recognised large scale, regional theatres in the UK creating moments of magic both on and off-stage. Our iconic Grade I listed building sits in the heart of Newcastle city centre and presents a diverse programme showcasing world class musicals, dance, opera and drama as well as our annual show-stopping pantomime, entertaining people of all ages from across the region.

Committed to creating a love of theatre for everyone, that lasts a lifetime, our wide-ranging Creative Engagement programme is central to our creative and artistic programme and provides pathways and opportunities to access, explore and enjoy creative activities for people of all ages, and support talent development in Newcastle and across the North East.

As an independent charity which receives no regular funding, ensuring financial resilience by broadening our income streams is key to our long-term future. Our Executive and staff team are supported by a committed and ambitious Board of Trustees.

We seek new Trustees to join our board – individuals who bring skills and lived experience to broaden the range of voices and perspectives in our leadership. In 2025/26 we are looking to appoint a number of Trustees across a range of skill sets to complement the make up of our current board members, but in this round of recruitment, we are specifically looking for a trustee with experience in audit and either financial management or charity finance expertise.  Knowledge and/or experience of either of the charity or arts sector or the leisure and hospitality sector is highly desirable.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference and support our aim to be a theatre for everyone. We encourage and welcome interest from candidates who will bring different lived experiences and perspectives to the Trust.

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.

Position: Chair of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is the ultimate governance body for the organisation, serving as stewards of the organisation’s resources, and is ultimately responsible for Self Help UK’s strategy, operations, adherence to law and regulation, and financial management. The Trustees serve on a voluntary basis and currently meet virtually every 6 weeks.

Chair Responsibilities: The Chair leads the Board of Trustees and works closely with the Charity’s Chief Executive and Senior Management Team to achieve its goals. The Chair is responsible for key areas, including:

Strategy and Governance

• Ensuring that the Board operates effectively in the consideration, iteration, and approval of the organisational strategy in support of the charity’s mission and values.

• With Trustees, ensuring that the charity operates efficiently and effectively to fulfil its objectives

• Safeguarding the interests of the charity’s beneficiaries and providing oversight of stakeholder interests • Maintaining high standards of governance and risk management.

• Ensuring that the Board is as diverse as possible and provides the range of knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to deliver the charity’s aims.

• Ensuring the organisation is accountable and transparent in its activities.

• Maintaining compliance with relevant charitable and company legislation.

• Oversight of the Sub Committees of the board.

• Ensuring a high-performing and effective board by committing to regular appraisal and review of Trustees and board performance (including managing retirements and resignations of Trustees).

Guidance and support to the Chief Executive

• Appointment of the Chief Executive and approval of Chief Executive’s salary with the Trustees.

• Line management of and work in partnership with the Chief Executive to support them in achieving the aims of the charity.

• Support and guidance on operations, including personnel management.

Financial

• Ensuring, with the Board, sound financial oversight, including review and approval of the annual budget

• Oversight of high standards of financial management

Advocacy and fundraising

• Using personal and professional networks to help the executive with access to potential donors and supporters, including governments, international bodies, corporations, trusts and foundations, NGOs, and individuals.

• Advise and assist in raising and maintaining the charity’s profile in the UK and internationally.

Lead Board Meetings:

• Lead all aspects of meeting management.

• Encouraging discussion at Board meetings, summarising key points and ensuring decisions are made and implemented.

Remuneration: Unremunerated, but reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed

Time Commitment: Estimated at 2 days per month, but some flexibility and the ability to offer more time on occasion are required.

Standard commitments include:

• Attending Board meetings every 6 weeks. Currently, meetings are held via Zoom

• Attendance at subcommittee meetings as necessary

• Monthly scheduled meeting with the CEO, with flexibility to respond swiftly to the occasional ad hoc issue.

• Attending, as a minimum, an annual half-day strategy session and other face-to-face events as required.

Qualities of a Chair

Essential

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of Trusteeship and adhering to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.

• Commitment to the charity’s objects, aims, and values and willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities. • Strategic and forward-looking vision in relation to the charity’s objects and aims.

• Good, independent judgement, political impartiality and the ability to think creatively in the context of the organisation and external environment.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to respect the confidences of colleagues.

• Balancing tact and diplomacy with willingness to challenge and constructively criticise.

Desirable

• Prior experience of committee/trustee work.

• Knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation.

• A wider involvement with the voluntary sector.

• Experience of chairing meetings, committee work, some experience of charity finance, charity fundraising.

• Leadership skills exercised through a period change.