Governance volunteer roles

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Head of Governance & Legal Support to lead the governance and legal functions of Youth Advantage UK. The Head of Governance & Legal Support will oversee compliance, risk management, and legal operations to ensure the charity operates within all applicable regulations and ethical standards. Managing the Governance & Legal Support Manager, this role will also involve developing and implementing governance frameworks that support organisational growth and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

● Manage Governance & Legal Support Team: Provide leadership and guidance to the Governance & Legal Support Manager and ensure the team operates effectively.

● Develop Governance Frameworks: Create and implement policies, procedures, and systems to strengthen the charity’s governance structure.

● Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Monitor and ensure adherence to all relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards, including charity law, data protection, and safeguarding.

● Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate risks, maintaining a comprehensive risk register and working with leadership to address potential challenges.

● Support the Board of Trustees: Act as a key liaison for the Board, preparing meeting agendas, maintaining minutes, and ensuring timely submission of governance reports.

● Legal Oversight: Manage contracts, agreements, and other legal documents, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal requirements.

● Training & Development: Provide training and resources to staff and volunteers on governance and compliance matters, ensuring understanding and adherence to policies.

● Partnerships: Build and maintain relationships with legal advisors, regulators, and other stakeholders to support organisational compliance.

● Drive Organisational Values: Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and ethical practice across the organisation.

Ideal Candidate:

● Experience: At least six months in a senior governance, legal, or compliance-focused leadership role within the charity sector or a similar organisation.

● Leadership Skills: Proven ability to manage and develop teams, fostering a high-performance culture.

● Legal Knowledge: Strong understanding of charity law, governance best practices, and regulatory compliance.

● Risk Management Expertise: Experience in identifying and mitigating risks in a complex organisational environment.

● Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

● Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with governance and compliance tools, systems, and processes.

● Commitment to Diversity: Understanding and experience in embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion within governance practices.

● Passion for Youth Development: Genuine enthusiasm for supporting young people and advancing the mission of Youth Advantage UK.

Day-to-day Tasks:

● Managing the Governance & Legal Support team, including sharing best practices and ensuring professional standards are met.

● Ensuring compliance with governance frameworks, legal regulations, and internal policies.

● Preparing and distributing materials for Board of Trustee meetings, including agendas and reports.

● Reviewing and negotiating contracts, agreements, and legal documents.

● Monitoring and updating the organisation’s risk register.

● Providing guidance on data protection, safeguarding, and ethical practices.

● Maintaining organisational policies and ensuring they are up-to-date and effectively implemented.

● Building relationships with external legal advisors and regulatory bodies.

Short-term Tasks:

● Conducting a review of current governance policies and frameworks to identify areas for improvement.

● Establishing a schedule for regular governance and legal compliance audits.

● Updating the organisation’s risk register and developing mitigation plans for high-priority risks.

● Developing training materials for staff and volunteers on governance and compliance topics.

● Creating a roadmap for aligning governance practices with the organisation’s strategic goals.

Why Join Youth Advantage UK?

Youth Advantage UK is a research led organization that aims to further the rights of young people between 11 and 25 years old across the UK through policy work and projects. As the Head of Governance & Legal Support, you will play a critical role in ensuring the charity operates with integrity, accountability, and transparency. You will work with a passionate and dedicated team, contribute to meaningful initiatives, and develop frameworks that ensure the long-term sustainability of our mission. Youth Advantage UK is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where volunteers can grow both professionally and personally.

Join Us and Help create jobs and opportunities for autistic people and people with learning disabilities

Yes2Ventures is seeking new Trustees to join our dynamic and values-led Board — including a Treasurer who can help guide our financial sustainability and growth.

We’re particularly keen to hear from people with experience in:
- Charity finance, accounting, or investment (for the Treasurer role)
- Community development, health and wellbeing
- Enterprise and social business
- HR, governance or legal expertise
- Experience of disability, neurodivergence, or mental health (lived or professional)

We welcome applications from people from all walks of life, especially those from groups currently underrepresented in governance roles. You don’t need to have been a trustee before — if you’re committed to our mission and willing to learn, we’ll support you.

Who we are:
Yes2Ventures creates meaningful opportunities for people who are distant from the labour market, through the development of enterprises that have a mission to train and support such people.

Time commitment: Approx. 1 board meeting per month, plus optional subgroups and occasional events. Meetings are held in Sheffield.

Next steps:
We’re running a friendly and informal recruitment process:
- Read the Trustee Role Description below.
- Drop us a short expression of interest (this could be an email, short form or voice note). If you have a CV please attach it. Tell us about what you do and why you want to be involved. We will send you a short application form to complete to help us track applications.
- We’ll invite shortlisted candidates for an informal chat. Then to meet in person with the head of development and/or a trustee.

We are looking for someone keen to move into the area of advising small charities on management and governance issues and assessing their needs in these areas.

We are a very ambitious local grant-making charity that also offers various training, support and consultancy services to small charities and community groups in Ealing & Hounslow. Our broad-ranging plans are now beginning to bear fruit and so we need someone to help us in the following areas as demand for our services begins to grow:

• Supporting small groups and start-ups with basic governance and management issues
• Promoting our services to local groups and assessing their needs

Our ideal candidate would have a good all-round management or professional background gained over a number of years, but need not be experienced in the areas mentioned above. You'd be given full training, with the opportunity to shadow the people already working in these areas. Far more important is adaptability, initiative, an ability to get on well with people from all sorts of backgrounds, and good organisational and writing skills. Most crucially you would have a demonstrable commitment to our ideals of promoting a strong and influential civil society in West London. You will thrive on challenges and find rewards in seeing our objectives achieved.

The role would probably require an average of 1 day a week and would involve dealing with our clients during office hours, so you will probably be someone who is working part-time, or is perhaps retired or semi-retired, or is otherwise not in full-time employment.

Much of the work would be taking place from home, but it will also involve quite a lot of face to face contact with clients, so living in the Ealing and Hounslow area would be a definite advantage.

All reasonable expenses will be reimbursed and refreshments provided where suitable.

Heartwood House is a dynamic education charity that supports young people who self-exclude from school and are missing education because of bullying or other trauma. They provide both an academic and therapeutic programme to enable their students to get back on track and reconnect with society. Heartwood House has been delivering services in NW London for 20 years.  They have supported many students in their return to mainstream education, further education and employment.  They work with many local authorities such as Harrow, Hillingdon, Hertfordshire, Brent, Ealing, Barnet, Camden and many more.

Heartwood House (based in Harrow) is now looking to strengthen its Board and we are seeking a Company Secretary and named Trustee for Governance and Law – you will bring insight and understanding of charity law, Charity Commission legal regulations, Company Legislation and best practice. 

Trustees have a duty to ensure that the charity is well run, solvent, legally compliant, and working towards the charitable purpose for which it was established, and Trustee roles are an important and a highly rewarding way to support an organisation. Please note that Trustee roles are unremunerated voluntary positions, although reasonable travel expenses will be paid.

Heartwood House is committed to equality of opportunity, supports, and encourages under-represented groups, and values diversity. We seek people from a wide range of backgrounds, who will bring a fresh perspective to the Board, and having reviewed existing Trustee's diversity, skills, and experience, Heartwood House are keen for the Board to reflect the diversity of the communities that they work with and therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Please contact Heidi Earp, Director of Langton Not 4 Profit our retained consultants for further information on the role.

What does a Trustee look like? 

Look in the mirror!  

Right now, less than 3% of charity Trustees are under 30, 8% are people of colour and 36% are women. We are looking for people from across the UK and are keen to recruit trustees from all nations in the UK.

We value the many skills and experiences that you can bring to the Marine Conservation Society. We are committed to a Board culture that enables everyone to be their authentic selves and to enjoy the Trustee experience.

It’s a critical time for our ocean. There is not a moment to waste. Our goal is to recover the health of our ocean so it can help with healing our climate; to make seas protected in law to be protected in practice; and to stop the tide of plastic that’s getting into our waters. By joining as a Trustee, you will help navigate us through the risks and opportunities that we meet.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are essential to achieving ocean recovery so everyone can expect to be treated with consideration and respect in an atmosphere without prejudice, discrimination, harassment or violence. 

What we’re looking for 

We’re looking for people to join our Board with expertise in one or more of the following areas – click on the links for a fuller description:

• Governance/Legal – expected to be a legal professional with experience in charity, company or regulatory law. 

• Marine Conservation – knowledge of the marine environment, with policy and/or practical experience of conservation. A network of contacts across the marine sector, particularly with business or government, would be an advantage.

What you can bring to our Board can be just as interesting as where you’ve been working. Ideally, you will have the relevant skills and experience set out in the profile but you should not feel prevented from applying if you do not have experience across all criteria. You do not need to have previous charity trustee experience, but you will need to be comfortable participating at a senior level with complex discussions and the need to be comfortable making pragmatic but key decisions. 

Letchworth Foodbank is seeking an inspiring and strategic Chair of the Board to lead the next chapter of our growth.

We have a clear mission: the prevention or relief of poverty in Letchworth, Hitchin and Baldock in particular, but not exclusively, by providing emergency food supplies and financial support to individuals in need and/or charities or other organisations working to relieve poverty.

Receiving donations and grants of over £200,000 per annum, the Foodbank distributes over 40 tonnes of food and £50,000 of food vouchers every year to those that need it most.

Our strategy is not to stand still, but to increase our reach and impact, and we require a Chair that shares our ambitions and will help drive a clear strategy forwards with the Trustees, working closely with the Foodbank Director.

What are we looking for?

• A Chair with knowledge of and commitment to tackling and relieving poverty.

• Experience in leadership, governance, and board-level roles (charity or voluntary sector preferred).

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and unite people.

• An understanding of the challenges faced by small charities and grassroots organisations.

• A strategic thinker with sound judgment and an inclusive leadership style.

• An understanding of safeguarding, equality, and community engagement principles.

• Experience of financial management and a broad understanding of charity finance issues.

At Letchworth Foodbank, we champion diversity. We welcome applicants from all walks of life, valuing diverse perspectives that enrich our work.

#Chair #Leadership #Endfoodpoverty #Chair of the Board of Trustees 

We are currently seeking a trustee to join the board of GREENHEART LEARNING PARTNERSHIP, a trust of 10 schools in the authority areas of Birmingham, Walsall and Staffordshire. The trust has an annual budget of £24m.

Greenheart Learning Partnership comprises 10 primary schools spread across three local authorities (Birmingham, Walsall, and Staffordshire). All but one school was judged as ‘Good’ at their last Ofsted inspections. The one exception was judged ‘Requires Improvement’ overall but was rated ‘Good’ in two areas. The trust has undergone some changes since its establishment in 2012 with the University of Wolverhampton as its sponsor. The Trust previously had a small number of secondary schools, but these moved to another trust two to three years ago, shifting the focus of the trust to primary education. There is no immediate plan for further growth, but this remains open for discussion.

The trust supports over 400 staff and serves around 3,150 children. One of the schools also has a special resource base, and two additional special units are being added to other schools. These units, each accommodating approximately 10 pupils with additional needs (specialising in autism), provide specialist support while enabling access to the mainstream curriculum. The trust also has robust financial procedures, healthy reserves, and a central strategic statement.

Greenheart Learning Partnership replaced its Local Governing Boards with Parent Forums in Summer 2024. This decision aimed to enhance community and stakeholder engagement at the local governance level. Two of the schools have Interim Advisory Boards (IABs) to provide additional challenge and support, and the reports/minutes from each Parent Forum (along with the IABs) are shared with Trustees at meetings. The trust has received positive feedback regarding the Parent Forums, with the Governance Lead noting that the more informal setting has reduced barriers and encouraged greater engagement. The Governance Lead joined the trust at the start of 2025 and is currently reviewing all aspects of governance to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability.

An external governance review is planned for the next academic year, following the Governance Lead’s initial review and implementation of necessary changes.

The Trust’s requirements

The trust currently has seven Trustees and is recruiting to build capacity and ensure sustainability. The board possesses a range of skills but seeks to expand its expertise further. Ideal candidates may have backgrounds in business, finance, HR, or governance. The trust welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds but is particularly keen to encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups.

Greenheart Learning Partnership seeks enthusiastic Trustees who are committed to strengthening governance and driving best practices. The Chair has been in post for nearly two years, and the Vice Chair previously chaired a local governing board that was deemed effective. As governance develops, there are likely to be opportunities for the right candidate to contribute to succession planning, potentially stepping into roles such as committee chair, vice chair, or even future chair of the board.

Trustees are currently expected to attend Trust Board meetings and two committees, though this is likely to reduce to one committee as the board’s capacity increases through this recruitment campaign. Trust Board and committee meetings are currently held remotely on Mondays from 1pm – 3pm, however this is currently under review and there may be some in-person meetings required.

All new Trustees will receive an induction programme led by the Governance Lead, as well as access to CST and GovernorHub Knowledge (formerly The Key). Additionally, all new Trustees will be provided with access to Governors for Schools’ ‘The First 100 Days as a Trustee’ eLearning module.

Help shape the future of vital community services in Bromley, south London.  

We are looking to recruit a new, independent trustee to join our effective and engaged board at an exciting time of development and change.

Trustee role

The role of Trustee is to uphold Bromley Third Sector Enterprise’s (BTSE) mission and vision and ensure its effective  governance. The Trustees work together with the Chief Executive to set the strategic direction and framework for the  organisation.

• Strategic leadership
• Governance
• Relationship with the management team.

The new trustee will be expected to sit on one of our sub-committees of Finance, Operations or Policy as well as undertaking those responsibilities expected of all trustees.

Trustees’ expenses are paid, and the role offers full induction with further training and networking opportunities.

Full details including role description and how to express an interest, visit our website. 

Join us as we turn bold ideas into real-world support for LGBTQIA+ people across Berkshire

About SupportU

We are a leading LGBTQ+ help and support service based in Reading, servicing the Thames Valley area. Our service is run by a dedicated team who are responsible for delivering the help and support available through our website, telephone helpline and face-to-face sessions.

What will you be doing?

Support U is seeking trustees to join our board at this pivotal moment following a period of change, as we strengthen our governance and work toward a more sustainable and impactful future. As a trustee, you’ll play a role in helping guide the charity’s direction, ensure good governance, and enable our small team to deliver high-impact services to the LGBTQIA+ community across Berkshire.

Key responsibilities include:

· Providing strategic leadership and oversight

· Ensuring good governance and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements

· Supporting financial management and safeguarding the charity’s resources

· Acting as an ambassador and advocate for the charity

· Promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work

Estimate of time needed

Up to five hours per month.

What are we looking for?

We are looking to appoint new trustees who bring a mix of governance experience, strategic skills, as well as passion and commitment to our community and the aims of the charity. 

You might be a good fit if you:

· Align with our mission and values

· Understand the needs and experiences of LGBTQIA+ communities

· Can collaborate within a diverse team and contribute constructively

· Are willing to ask questions, challenge ideas, and help shape solutions

Living experience as part of the LGBTQIA+ community is encouraged, but not essential - we also welcome allies who bring a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and our cause.

What difference will you make?

As a trustee at Support U, your voice will help shape how we respond to the real, evolving needs of LGBTQIA+ people across Berkshire. You’ll influence how we grow, how we include, and how we stay true to our values while adapting for the future.

You’ll be part of a small, committed team working to strengthen support, challenge exclusion, and ensure our community feels seen, supported, and proud.

About Croydon Community Energy (CCE)

Croydon Community Energy is the only community energy organisation in Croydon, combining grassroots climate action with real-world renewable power projects. Since launching in 2021, we’ve built a passionate volunteer-led team and are in the process of our first major initiative: installing rooftop solar across three community sites. In early 2025, we successfully raised over £120,000 in community investment in just eight weeks — a huge vote of confidence in our mission to cut carbon, lower energy bills, and empower local people. As a Community Benefit Society, everything we do is rooted in social impact, from delivering free energy advice to creating hands-on opportunities for residents to lead the energy transition.

Job Purpose

As the Chairperson, you will play a crucial role in working alongside the CEO and managing the Board of Directors at Croydon Community Energy (CCE). This voluntary position presents a unique opportunity to provide strategic leadership, foster effective governance, and guide our organisation toward achieving its mission of advancing renewable energy and sustainability within the community.

Responsibilities

Board Leadership and Governance:

• Provide leadership to the Board of Directors, ensuring effective governance and adherence to the organisation's mission, values, and strategic goals.

• Facilitate board meetings, setting the agenda, and ensuring productive discussions and decision-making.

• Foster a positive and inclusive board culture that encourages collaboration, diversity of thought, and constructive engagement.

• Guide the development and implementation of governance policies, procedures, and best practices.

• Collaborate with the CEO and board members to assess and mitigate organisational risks.

Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with board members, fostering open communication, trust, and mutual respect.

• Support the CEO in their role, providing guidance and feedback as needed.

• Represent the community energy group at external events, conferences, and networking opportunities to enhance the organisation's reputation and influence.

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Collaborate with the CEO and board members to develop and refine the organisation's strategic plan, setting long-term goals and objectives.

• Monitor the implementation of the strategic plan, ensuring alignment with the organisation's mission and vision.

• Regularly evaluate the organisation's progress toward strategic objectives, making adjustments and recommendations as needed.

• Support the CEO in developing and implementing operational plans, policies, and initiatives to achieve strategic goals.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy

• Serve as a key spokesperson and advocate for the community energy group, promoting its mission, values, and impact to stakeholders, including government officials, partners, funders, and community members.

• Collaborate with the CEO and board members to identify and cultivate strategic partnerships and funding opportunities.

• Actively engage with the local community, attending relevant events, building relationships, and representing the organisation's interests.

Qualifications:

Even if you don’t feel you meet 100% of the requirements, please don’t be deterred from applying - we would still love to hear why you’re the right person for the role!

Essential

• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others.

• Excellent communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to represent the organisation effectively in various settings.

• Familiarity with the renewable energy sector and a passion for sustainable development.

• Commitment to the organisation's mission and willingness to contribute time and expertise voluntarily.

Desirable

• Proven experience in a leadership role, preferably as a board chairperson or similar position.

• Strong understanding of nonprofit governance principles and practices.

• Experience in working effectively with diverse stakeholders, including board members, executives, community members, and government officials.

• Strategic and critical thinking abilities, with a track record of developing and executing successful organisational strategies.

Join our community energy group as a voluntary Chairperson and help shape the future of sustainable energy in our community. Together, we can lead the way in promoting renewable energy and building a greener future for all.

Terms and Conditions

Length of contract: 12 months, (until next AGM)

Salary: Voluntary, expenses covered inline with our expenses policy

Hours/days: Approximately 15 hours per month

Place of work: Remote, with occasional face-to-face meetings in Croydon

Upon taking the position, you will be required to sign a Director’s agreement including a commitment to attend all Board meetings and monthly wider volunteer meetings (giving reasonable notice if you can’t), and the agreement to log time spent on CCE activities.

YHA Board Recruitment Committee - Association Members
YHA enables everyone, especially young people, to connect with each other, nature and heritage through hostels in amazing places throughout England and Wales. Since 1930, we’ve been increasing access to travel and adventure. It’s our aim to reach and positively impact the lives of more people from more diverse backgrounds. And we target our support to young people and groups from underserved communities.

Right now, our Board Recruitment Committee is looking for new members to help us find and shortlist candidates for YHA Trustee elections. The committee includes a Chair, a YHA Trustee, a member from what was our Youth Advisory team (now Youth Voice panel), and two Association Members. We currently have two Association Member spots open, and we'd love for you to join us!

Benefits of joining the Board Recruitment Committee:

• Make a difference: Help shape YHA's future by selecting top candidates for Trustee positions.
• Develop skills: Gain experience in recruitment, interviewing, and strategic decision-making.
• Networking: Connect with passionate YHA members and build valuable relationships.
• Contribute to a worthy cause: Support a charity dedicated to making travel and adventure accessible to all.
• Leadership experience: Enhance your leadership skills and understanding of charity governance.

Who can apply? If you're a YHA member, you're eligible to apply! The committee will review applications, interview selected candidates and choose who to put forward for the election.

What are we looking for? We seek candidates with the skills to help us shortlist a diverse range of high-quality candidates for the Trustee elections.

We understand that lived experiences can be just as vital as professional expertise. At YHA, we value a wide range of backgrounds, believing they enrich our work and enhance our impact.

Check out the Board Recruitment Committee role profile for more details on the skills needed.

YHA’s Board is committed to reflecting the communities and society we serve. We believe true diversity makes us a stronger organisation, which is why we’re interested in who you are. Your lived experiences and your values are as important as your professional achievements. To reflect our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, and would particularly like to encourage applications from certain groups who are likely to be underrepresented in our organisation. 

These include:

• young people
• people who are disabled or neurodivergent
• people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds
• people without academic qualification
• people who are LGBTQIA+

A few things to note:

• Applications are welcomed from YHA members over 16 years old (excluding current Trustees and staff members). You may become a member prior to submitting an application.
• The role is for three years, ending at the 2028 AGM, with the possibility of re-election for another three years.
• The commitment is virtual attendance at Board Recruitment Committee meetings, with five to six meetings throughout the year together with additional virtual meetings (March to October) to select and interview Trustee candidates to put forward to the Trustee election. There is also some time required outside of meetings to review documentation and provide feedback.

How to apply:

• Fill out a short online application form (including diversity monitoring) and a candidate statement.

Make sure we receive your complete application by 9am on Monday 21st July. Your candidate statement will be used by the committee to evaluate your application and will also appear on the voting website for our members.

We've attached the role profile and application form questions for your review before you begin your application. 

We are currently seeking two trustees and a member – a role akin to that of a shareholder – to join the respective boards of Achieve and Learnt Trust, a trust of two schools, with an annual budget of £14m.

Achieve and Learn is a two-school trust that grew out of Altrincham College (an 11–18 academy in Trafford) and Reddish Vale High School (an 11–16 academy in Stockport). Achieve and Learn Trust is going through a period of change, making this an ideal time to join and make a real difference to the trust’s future, particularly in supporting improvements at Reddish Vale High School. You are likely to join the trustees or members along with others, meaning there would be mutual support as you gain an understanding of this developing trust. The expansion of Altrincham College is a relatively rare opportunity to oversee future developments. The trust is developing its central team and the services it provides, giving new Trustees the chance to contribute to strategic decisions that will shape the trust’s future over the next few years.

Altrincham College is a very popular school that is consistently oversubscribed (last judged by Ofsted as ‘Good’ in May 2022). Trafford Local Authority is keen for the school to grow further, and there are plans for an extension costing approximately £16 million for potentially two to three additional forms of entry. This expansion would take place over several years as pupils move up through the year groups. Current plans suggest the extension will open in 2026, but due to delays with the Department for Education (DfE), this date may be pushed back.

Achieve and Learn Trust also supports Reddish Vale High School, which was placed in special measures in June 2024. The trust has implemented several changes to improve the overall quality of education and leadership, including changes in school leadership and substantial reforms to local governance. The DfE has issued the trust with a Termination Warning Notice (TWN) regarding Reddish Vale. This is a common step when an academy is judged ‘Inadequate’ by Ofsted, warning that the DfE may terminate the school’s funding agreement and rebroker it to another trust. The TWN was issued in September 2024, and trust leaders have met with the DfE to discuss the targeted support being provided. The trust remains committed to improving the school and strongly believes progress is being made. Ofsted inspectors are due to conduct a monitoring visit later this year.

The trust is keen to grow further but is unlikely to expand until Reddish Vale High School has demonstrated suitable improvement. There are other schools in the area that may consider joining Achieve and Learn in the future, though there are no immediate expansion plans. This represents an opportunity for new Trustees to contribute to strategic planning and decision-making. The trust has an annual income of approximately £14 million, and budgets are balanced, with suitable reserves in line with DfE recommendations. The trust has also received additional support for Reddish Vale’s improvement journey through collaboration with a strong trust brokered by the DfE. An independent, external review of governance has been commissioned via the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), with a report expected later in the spring.

The Trust’s requirements

Achieve and Learn Trust is looking to recruit at least two trustees and one member to join the trust. Trustee candidates will ideally have a background in business, governance, finance, or estates/engineering. Member candidates should have general business experience and may have previous director or non-executive director experience.

Trustees joining at this time are likely to be part of a small group joining the board simultaneously, expanding the skills and capacity of the current board. There is likely to be an opportunity for the right candidate to move into a leadership role, such as committee chair or vice chair, as part of the trust’s succession plans. The current chair is a retired headteacher from another school in the region and took on the role in summer 2024. The vice chair has served the trust for a considerable time, ensuring a mix of experience and healthy turnover.

All meetings are planned well in advance. Trust board meetings are held six times a year (once per half term) on Tuesdays from 6pm – 8pm, in person at Altrincham College. Finance, Risk, and Audit Committee meetings are held three times a year (once per term) on Tuesdays from 6pm – 8pm, also in person at the college. It is anticipated that Candidates with the relevant professional experience will be asked to join the Finance, Risk, and Audit Committee as well as the trust board. Candidates from other backgrounds are also welcome to express an interest in joining this committee.

The members meet for the AGM once a year but may also be convened for additional updates, up to three times annually, including the AGM.

All new Trustees and Members will receive an induction from the trust. This includes online training from the trust and external partners, assignment of a ‘buddy,’ and access to online forums such as National College and The Key. Additionally, all new trustees will receive access to Governors for Schools’ ‘The First 100 Days as a Trustee’ eLearning module, an immersive resource accredited by CPD.

Opportunity to join The Restart Project’s board of trustees

As we embark on implementing our newly formed strategy, we are looking for a finance trustee who can support us by connecting our ambitious goals with financial realities.

Our vision is by 2035, we’ve helped to end the throwaway production and consumption of electrical products. With systemic support, repair and reuse is easier, cheaper and more rewarding for all.

In 2025 we are winning the argument and are now entering a new phase of doing the ‘hard yards’ of getting our ideas implemented. This requires an evolution of our funding model. At the same time, working with companies – who are both part of the problem and part of the solution – poses special challenges for us to get right.

So we are now seeking a committed individual who shares our excitement and can help us realise the opportunities by serving as our finance trustee.

Who are we looking for?

The role would suit an individual looking to support the growth of a small charity, moving us beyond our 10 employees and further strengthening our finance and strategic approaches.

Having trustees with a mix of backgrounds, approaches and perspectives leads to better decision-making. We believe that a governance and accountability structure enriched by multiple voices and intersectional expertise, leads to more thoughtful, informed, just and liberatory strategies, decisions, and practices.

The finance trustee will take the lead at board level on:

• Advise on developing our business model and diversify earned and granted funding sources

• Monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity

• Working with staff to develop a three year business plan, our annual budgets and preparing for the yearly reporting to the Charity Commission

• Keeping the Board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities 

Responsibilities as a board member

As well as the finance trustee specific responsibilities above, board members collectively:

• Contribute in giving strategic direction to the charity, setting overall strategy and policy, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets

• Ensure the charity applies its resources exclusively in pursuing its objectives

• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity

• Safeguard the good name and values of the charity

• Declare any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a trustee

• Are responsible for the actions of the charity 

• Participate in other tasks as arise from time to time when possible, such as interviewing new staff, helping with fundraising etc.

• Attend quarterly meetings and read papers in preparation for the meeting

• Keep informed about the activities of the charity and wider issues which affect its work

• Be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis 

Person specification 

We are seeking a finance trustee who has the following:

• Experience in business growth and financial management, ideally with a recognised accountancy or management qualification

• Understanding of charity finance

• A commitment to Restart’s vision, mission and values

• Willingness to devote the time and effort needed to fulfil the role

• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to contributing to a positive working culture

Further information is available about both the treasurer and trustee role in the job specifications available on our website.

Today Kensal Green Cemetery is at the start of an exciting new chapter in its history.  After several years of hard work and collaboration with stakeholders such as Historic England, a private Bill is currently passing through parliament that will enable the General Cemetery Company to transfer the land, buildings and company into the ownership of a newly formed charity.  As a result, the cemetery will be owned and operated by a modern organisation with contemporary powers and freedoms, releasing it from the constrained governance arrangements of the founding Act(s).

In parallel with the Bill making its passage through parliament, the General Cemetery Company directors are setting up a Steering Group that will form the embryo of the board of trustees of the proposed charity that will ultimately own and operate the site. 

We are therefore seeking three experienced external individuals to join the Steering Group and contribute towards the establishment of the new charity and form the starting point for a larger board of trustees.  It is anticipated that the Steering Group members will transition into trustees in the next 12 months or so as the charity is established.

About Kensal Green Cemetery

Kensal Green Cemetery and the company that owns and operates it - the General Cemetery Company - was established by an Act of Parliament in 1833.  It is one of the ‘magnificent seven’ great Victorian London cemeteries and the only one that remains owned and operated by its original founding company. 

Kensal Green Cemetery is widely regarded architecturally as the most important of the great Victorian cemeteries, containing the greatest concentration of buildings and monuments of particularly high-quality design.  As the chosen location for several Victorian royal burials, Kensal Green Cemetery also became regarded as particularly desirable amongst the great and the good of Victorian and Edwardian society.

Over the last half a century the General Cemetery Company has struggled to keep up with the huge task of maintaining the site to the standard it deserves.  And as time has passed, the General Cemetery Company’s 200-year-old governance framework has become increasingly anachronistic in the modern world, preventing it, for example, from applying for major capital grants or making structural changes to the way the site is owned and operated.  Whilst the company is in reasonable financial shape and actively serving its community with burials and cremations, parts of the cemetery are in poor condition and it contains one of the largest concentrations of ‘Heritage At Risk’ structures in England.

Our vision

The GCC directors and inaugural members of the proposed charity have established an outline vision for the future of Kensal Green Cemetery for the next 25 years to 2050 to give the proposed charity a clear purpose. We have also started to set a series of objectives that the charity must deliver to give its role and function more definition:

The vision is to care for Kensal Green Cemetery as a place of burial, cremation and quiet contemplation for current and future generations of our diverse community.  To do this we will carefully and sensitively conserve and repair our buildings and monuments, promote education about them and improve the condition of infrastructure & landscape whilst operating an active cemetery and crematorium for the public benefit.

The strategic objectives are:

1. To maintain an open and active cemetery and provide for existing and future generations of friends and families of the deceased

2. To conserve and enhance the heritage of Kensal Green Cemetery;( the densest concentration of highly listed heritage assets in England)

3. To continue to operate a high quality, financially viable cemetery and crematorium whilst diversifying income streams from other assets and activities

4. To engage and educate people about the social, economic, architectural, environmental and cultural history of the cemetery and those buried in it

5. To balance the conservation and enhancement of the historic landscape features with nature conservation to provide a green space for commemoration and the quiet enjoyment and contemplation of the community.

We are seeking three high calibre individuals to the following three roles:

1. Treasurer

2. Heritage-lead

3. Management-lead

Further details are provided in the attached information pack however it is key that all three trustee roles are filled by individuals who have board-level experience and experience of charities, and ideally charitable start-ups in particular.

We are looking for individuals who understand and will embrace our vision and who can help to shape plans for the future of Kensal Green Cemetery.

In the short-term the individuals will be members of the Steering Group.  It is anticipated that these individuals will be key members of the team which will create the proposed charity and that their roles will transition to trustees during their tenure.

What you will gain

• The opportunity to shape an organisation responsible for one of the most remarkable concentrations of heritage assets in England
• Satisfaction for being responsible for a cemetery and crematorium that is deeply rooted in the lives of the West London community
• The opportunity to develop your strategic and leadership skills
• Working with a friendly and committed team of trustees and staff.

Location

All members of the Steering Group and successor trustee board will be expected to participate fully in the development of proposals for the future of Kensal Green Cemetery including at the attendance of events and relevant meetings on site in London.  It is expected that there will be five formal meetings each year which will be a mixture of virtual and in person that members will be required to attend as a minimum.  During the first formative year or so of the start-up phase we expect the level of time commitment will exceed that of a typical trustee position.

Terms of appointment

The three roles are voluntary and will not be remunerated however reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed for one further term.

About being a Trustee

It is fully expected that the individuals we are seeking for the Steering Group will transition into trustees in due course. More information is available online about general trustee responsibilities from websites such as the Charity Commission however, in summary, trustees have overall control of a charity and are responsible for making sure it’s doing what it was set up to do.  Trustees have six main overarching duties:

1. To ensure their charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit

2. To comply with their charity’s governing document and the law

3. To act in their charity’s best interests

4. To manage your charity’s resources responsibly

5. To act with reasonable care and skill

6. To ensure their charity is accountable.