Group Board Chair Volunteer Roles
Birthrights was founded in 2013 with the understanding that at the heart of the poor experiences and outcomes of maternity care for so many, is a consistent failure to listen to the voices of women and birthing people and a complete disregard for their fundamental human rights. Our work has never been more urgent.
Are you excited by Birthrights’ ambitions to work towards long term, systemic change that empowers women and birthing people? This is an exciting time to join our organisation as we embark on a new 10-year strategy.
As our Chair you will work with a dynamic and passionate team of Trustees and Employees who champion the rights of women and birthing people. Come and join our small and caring team of change makers.
Our Board of Trustees meets quarterly, mostly virtually but we like to meet 1-2 times in person either in London or the midlands (as this is nearest to where most are currently based). Our Chair plays a role in supporting and developing our work and Co-CEOs as well so will meet virtually with them between meetings. Papers are prepared in advance and shared electronically. The Board is supported by and Finance and Risk Committee. We expect the time commitment to be 1-2 days per month and the reward to feel huge!
If you have the expertise for this role come and join us to transform birthing experiences for the better.
We would love for you to apply for this role which you can do by visiting our website and downloading the Chair to the BOT recruitment pack for the full information about the role, the requirements, the person specification and more. The details of how to apply for the role are also contained within this pack. You might also want to scroll down this page, to watch a short video showing you more about Birthrights’ work.
Deadline for applications:12:00pm (midday) on 22nd April 2024
Interviews: w/c 6th May 2024. Please let us know of any dates you are not able to make during this week, when you apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is an exciting opportunity for a high calibre individual with strong leadership qualities and the experience to lead and grow an £18.3m turnover business.
Black Country Housing Group (BCHG) is a registered housing provider firmly rooted in and working closely with local communities in the Black Country and Birmingham. BCHG owns and manages around 2,200 homes across a range of tenures as well as providing support to residents in our local communities including:
- Affordable houses and apartments
- Shared ownership and leasehold homes
- Retirement Living
- Supported Living
- Homes and support for former rough sleepers and care leavers
- Employability, financial and digital inclusion projects
The role
Dr Abigail Robson, who is BCHG’s current Board Chair will step down in September 2024, having been Chair for the last 7 years. The Chair of the Board fulfils a particularly important role in providing leadership to the Board and working with all Members to fulfil the Board’s responsibility for setting the strategic vision and direction of the Group in accordance with the Strategic Plan objectives and any legal and regulatory requirements. We are keen to attract applications from individuals with a strong background in leadership from within the social housing sector, board experience and a track record in housing management, asset management or development. We are also particularly keen to have a balanced shortlist and would welcome applications from women.
You will have experience in one or more of the areas below.
- Extensive experience of operating at a senior level (either Executive or Non-Executive) within the social housing sector.
- Experience of operating as a Chair of a Board or a Non-Executive Director, with an understanding of good governance practice.
- Successful track record of motivating senior teams to deliver a clear strategic vision.
- Strategic experience in finance and risk.
- Understanding of strategic policy, the economic and operating environments within which BCHG operates.
What you can expect from BCHG
- Tailored on-boarding and other ongoing specialist training, as appropriate, to enhance the skills of all Members.
- Support of the Senior Independent Director and Executive Team.
- Remuneration at levels set out in the Association’s policy and reimbursement of incidental expenses, including travel, associated with attending meetings and other events.
- Tablet and access to the Board Software which contains the key documents of our business.
- Access to publications and literature relating to the social housing sector and Board membership.
- Attendance at conferences and other events as required.
How to apply
You are asked to provide the following information in support of your application:
- A detailed CV, (no more than three A4 pages), including qualifications, employment history, relevant experience and details of any other current or recent Board memberships and key achievements, as well as any voluntary activity in the last 5 years.
- A supporting statement (no more than two A4 pages) addressing the person specification and competencies and summarising how you think that your knowledge and experience make you a suitable candidate for the role of Board Chair. Please also explain your motivation in applying and give examples of specific achievements in the last 5 years which demonstrate your competence for this role.
- Full contact details, (name, job title, organisation, phone and email), will be requested for two referees at the time of an offer being made.
Your application will be acknowledged and treated with strictest confidence.
The recruitment pack is available, and applications should be made, through BCHG’s Careers Portal by the closing date.
All applications will be considered and assessed against the requirements of the Role Profile in order to select candidates.
If you have been successful at this stage, we will contact you to invite you to interview.
Recruitment timetable
The closing date for applications is 28th March 2024.
Interviews will be held on 29th April 2024.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Inclusive Boards are delighted to support Bishopsgate Institute in their search for a new Chair.
Bishopsgate Institute was built in 1894 to provide a space and opportunity for people to come together, share and explore. Today the core of its mission and public benefit remains its special collections and archives, which document and celebrate the extraordinary lives of everyday people, including the largest LGBTQIA+ archive in the UK.
For 130 years, the Institute has been a cultural hub for the people of London to come together and learn in extraordinary spaces. Its beautiful historic building is home to thought-provoking archives, which celebrate the stories of everyday people who have strived for social, political, and cultural change.
Bishopsgate are seeking the Institute's next Chair of Trustees to take up the role formally in December 2024. The successful candidate will become a Trustee at the October Board, with the current Chair, Nigel Pantling, handing over the Chair role at the end of the December Board meeting.
In these immensely challenging times for charities, culture and heritage organisations – and all of us - the Institute is not alone in grappling with significant financial challenges. The new Chair will play a vital and exciting role by strategically overseeing vital change and transformation that will allow the Institute to keep championing and celebrating the experience of those marginalised or ignored by mainstream society, while not losing sight of the wider learning mission of the organisation.
The ideal candidate will:
Have significant experience serving on boards, preferably with previous experience as Chair.
Have exceptional, inclusive and energising leadership skills; able to cultivate effective collaboration but also comfortable in taking responsibility for difficult choices.
Be excited to give the time and energy needed to the challenges and opportunities ahead for the Institute with a willingness to act as an ambassador, advocate and leverage networks where appropriate.
For a full person specification and more information about the role please download the candidate pack using the links on the Inclusive Boards page.
To apply, please provide:
**A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements.
**A covering letter (maximum 2 sides) highlighting your suitability for the role. Please note that the covering letter is an important part of your application and will be assessed.
**Details of two professional referees together with a brief statement of their relationship to you and over what period they have known you. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.
If you have further questions or would like a conversation with one of our consultants about the role, please emailus using the information on the Inclusive Boards page
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This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you our new Chair for TransWilts CIC, the non-profit social enterprise for community, environment and transport in Wiltshire & Berkshire?
Do you have skills and enthusiasm to cooperatively govern and help us bring our growth strategy into action? If so, you could be the next Chair of our community rail social enterprise that connects and educates communities.
TransWilts (potentially changing our name to reflect our growth) is the Community Rail Partnership currently based in Wiltshire, and expanding into Berkshire, that is looking for a new Chair of our Board.
We’re a Community Interest Company, a not-for-personal-profit organisation, with a mission to maintain sustainable and environmentally-important connections between local communities.
About our Board and our expectations
Our Directors are a collective body, with everyone equally responsible for all aspects of governance of our organisation.
As our Chair, you will work closely with our other Directors to lead meetings and provide direction to our Board.
The role is strategic in representing our vision and purpose, ensuring the Board and all its meetings functions properly, are inclusive and participatory, and that effective decisions are made that benefit the wider community. We work closely with Great Western Rail, Local Authorities and the Department for Transport, but we are independent and community-focused.
“Community Rail is about 90% community and 10% rail.”
About the role
This is a high-profile appointment, for someone with strong commitment to the value of environmentally-focused local transport connections, plus an understanding of the potential of sustainable community rail or the environment.
Our Directors are the people who make the top-level decisions for our organisation. Our Board includes people with experience in community rail, and we’d expect our new Chair to have empathy with our cause.
You don’t necessarily need prior experience of rail, but skills in Chairing meetings will be important. Some experience of committee or similar work, and a strong focus to cooperatively work with and shape the forward-looking Board are also useful qualities we are looking for.
Full induction to our organisation will be provided, plus specialist support as a new non-profit Director, including access to external training as needed.
We are a not-for-personal-profit organisation, and we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for fresh expertise and experience from a variety of backgrounds to our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups.
The Board meets quarterly face-to-face at Westbury Station, although this meeting location may be varied as part of our expansion into Berkshire.
You will need to dedicate an average of 6 hours per month including preparation for and attendance at Board meetings; some duties may be carried out online. This is a voluntary role and reasonable travel expenses may be claimed.
How to apply
This high-profile appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, a non-profit support organisation, who offer you a no-obligation discussion at your convenience.
A detailed Role Description and Person Specification can be made available to you upon request.
Our Director appointments are subject to satisfactory references.
Your CV and supporting statement will be read by our existing Directors and an interview can be offered as soon as mutually convenient.
I need to know more
Contact Mike Allen via the Quick Apply button below for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams/Zoom/phone) and explanation about this important role and about the easy application process.
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GSTTKPA is going through an exciting period of change. As a result, we are seeking to recruit a new Chair to support our ambitious and innovative change programme, so we can continue to achieve the aims and objectives of the charity.
The Chair role provides leadership to the organisation and the Trustee board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes in order to ensure that GSTTKPA moves forward and continues to benefit kidney patients in the future.
The Chair will also need to set the strategy for the charity for the next few years which is vital for ensuring that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, the new post holder must understand that all the Trustees have a collective responsibility. This means that the Chair and the other Trustees must always act as a group and not as individuals.
As a Trustee, the new Chair must have a commitment to equality; celebrate diversity and be responsive to the needs of different groups and individuals within GSTTKPA and the wider community. In return, the successful applicant will join a warm and friendly team that works collaboratively to support each other as well as our kidney patients.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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One25 began in 1995 in response to the unmet needs of women who were street sex working in Bristol. Over the last 29 years we have learnt much about working with this marginalised group and we are still the only organisation specifically for them. We work with some of Bristol’s most marginalised women, supporting them to move from crisis and trauma to independence in the community. Wherever they are in their journeys, we give love and practical support, without judgement or expectation. Women’s needs have become more complex, so our work is more important than ever. The impact we make as a charity helps to save lives.
This is an important time to join the Board as we consolidate and focus on the positive steps One25 can take to increase and diversify income to sustain our vital work. With recent investment in our fundraising team, we are in a strong position to build our income and respond to the future needs of the women. Being a Chair is an excellent way to develop your skills and can be a fascinating and rewarding experience.
Our new Chair will be joining a talented Board, working alongside an inspiring CEO and senior management team, and our dedicated colleagues and volunteers. You will be able to connect with staff and gain insight into our work with the women.
About the role
The overall role of the chair is to lead the Board as it sets strategic direction and oversees the good governance of the charity, ensuring that the organisation is following correct governance and meeting its charitable obligations.
This is an active role, where time will need to be invested regularly outside of meetings to support the work of the Board and the charity.
In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, duties of the Chair include the following:
- Providing leadership to the organisation and the board
- Ensuring high standards of governance and risk management
- Chairing and facilitating board meetings including encouraging discussion at Board meetings, summarising key points and ensuring decisions are made and implemented
- Helping organise board and other meetings
- Leading and supporting the CEO in their role
- Leading and developing the board of trustees including induction, training and succession planning
- Working closely with the CEO and others to ensure legal compliance and liaise with relevant external bodies
- Ensuring, with the Board, sound financial oversight including review and approval of the annual budget
What are we looking for?
- Demonstrate a genuine interest and commitment to social justice issues and improving outcomes and opportunities for vulnerable and marginalised women.
- Strong leadership skills which engage, inspire, empower and motivate the wider board, staff, volunteers and other external stakeholders.
- Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level in previous roles.
- Knowledgeable about charity governance and committed to maintaining high standards of governance and risk management in all areas including finance.
- Excellent communication skills and networking capabilities, and able to act as an ambassador for an organisation and cause.
- Ability to commit time, interest and efforts to conduct the role well.
What difference will you make?
As our new chair you will help shape the next exciting phase of our future development as we commence our 3-year strategic plan and embed our newest Trustees within our established Board. Your leadership and commitment will ensure we continue to provide and extend our range of much-needed support and services to our beneficiaries.
Before you apply
Please apply or contact us with any questions through Reach in the first instance with an expression of interest in your preferred format - e.g. CV. We would be happy to facilitate an informal introduction with the CEO or current Chair if desired. Applications should be submitted by 9am on 8th February 2024. Interviews will take place on 16th February 2024.
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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,
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are looking for a Chair who is passionate about science and promoting trust in the profession and work closely with trustees and our Chief Executive to lead the organisation. They will need to have strategic leadership experience to drive and support our development and growth, bring a strong understanding of good governance, and be adept at leading and building inclusive, collaborative teams and cultures. Our current strategy runs until 2025, and the next Chair will play a key role in shaping the Science Council’s future.
The appointment will be for an initial three-year term starting in September 2024 with the potential for renewal for a further three years.
How to apply
The closing date for applications is midnight Monday 15th April. Interviews will be held in person in central London on Monday 29th April and the Science Council Board will make an appointment on Wednesday 22nd May. The successful candidate will start their term in office at the end of the Board Meeting in September.
You will need to be an employee or a member of one of our Member Bodies to apply. A list of our Members can be found on our website (sciencecouncil dot org).
Prior to making an application we invite you to have a discussion with Adam Donnan (Chair of the Board). Please contact the Governance and Corporate Services Manager Oliver O’Hanlon to arrange an informal discussion.
If you do wish to apply, please send an up to date CV (which should be no more than 2 pages in length) and covering letter (which should be no more than 2 pages in length) outlining your suitability for the role to Oliver O’Hanlon. Please title the email ‘Science Council Board Chair application’. Please state in your covering letter whether you are an employee or a member of one of our Member Bodies.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Refugee Café is a small charity seeking to help refugees in Lewisham and surrounding areas enter employment in the hospitality sector. We began in May 2020, where we established ourselves at local markets, food-related initiatives and community projects and events. We recently completed a pilot employment programme in partnership with Lewisham College and the cafe at The Albany Theatre in Deptford.
Upon finishing the programme at Lewisham College, we are looking for a new Chair to lead the organisation’s vision and strategy for the upcoming year. The founding Board of Trustees are retiring their positions, giving way to a new enthusiastic and passionate Board with significant sector experience in either the food or refugee and migration sector.
Refugee Café is seeking to appoint a Chair to lead the Board of Trustees. The Chair will ensure that the charity fulfils its responsibilities for the public benefit, effectively delivers its objectives, and complies with its governing document. This role demands an exceptional individual who can combine strong leadership skills with the ability to oversee strategic direction, articulate our vision and engage people to implement organisational improvement and systemic change. It is an exciting opportunity to shape a young organisation and have a positive impact in our community.
Main Responsibilities
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Lead the charity in strategic development to ensure we create a positive impact with our community and achieve our mission.
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Support the charity to achieve its strategic and operational objectives Facilitate monthly board meetings in stimulating, inclusive and well-rounded discussions and considered decision-making.
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Be a strong spokesperson for the charity both internally and externally
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Liaise closely with the team of trustees and act as the focal point for organisational procedures and areas such as strategy, governance, safeguarding, finance, HR & management of risk.
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Maintain careful oversight of any risk to the reputational standing of the organisation.
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Represent the organisation at appropriate events, meetings or functions.
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Encourage an inclusive and supportive board culture.
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Steering the long-term stability of the charity, through sustainable financial growth, including fundraising and other income generating activities
Qualities of the Role
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Commitment to the organisation, its values, mission, and vision, and an enthusiasm for supporting its beneficiaries.
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Understanding of challenges facing refugees in finding sustainable employment
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Experience of effective chairing and understanding of how to facilitate debate. You will ensure a balance is struck between time-keeping and space for board discussions.
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Experience in strategic roles and the ability to understand strategic issues, without losing sight of a vision of positive change.
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The ability to understand perspectives of others, to act collaboratively and diplomatically, and to secure collective decision-making. Ability to foster and promote a collaborative working environment.
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Effective written and oral communication skills, and be a proactive team player who delivers results.
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Flexibility in your approach, revising remits and objectives when necessary, and being comfortable with a degree of uncertainty.
Please send a one-page CV and accompanying cover letter (no more than 2 additional pages)
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Move More are a Gloucestershire-based Charity, passionate about empowering every child to thrive, irrespective of their circumstances. They promote an active and healthy lifestyle, leading to sustainable lifelong benefits. The organisation’s holistic approach impacts the three main environments that affect children’s health and wellbeing. They work with families, schools and communities to build nurturing and stimulating environments - enabling children and young people to live healthy, happy lives.
Founded as a government-funded school sport partnership in 2000, Move More transitioned to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2017. Their vision is for every child to be active, helping them lead happy, healthy lives, both physically and mentally. This is an exciting period of growth for Move More. Their plans for the future include:
- Increased support for children with special educational needs or disabilities.
- Enhancing their community work to reach a more diverse group of children
- Expanding their family-based work
To help shape the next chapter of Move More, they’re seeking a Chair of the Board of Trustees.
The Board ensures the Charity is governed effectively, remaining true to their vision of ‘Every Child Thrives’. They support the senior leadership team while holding them accountable for delivering strategic objectives. As the head of the Board, the Chair must provide inclusive and inspiring leadership, supporting Trustees to voice their opinions while remaining focused and impartial. They will assist the Board in pinpointing, monitoring, and mitigating key risks. Furthermore, the Chair will bridge the gap between the Board and staff/volunteers and serve as the Charity's public face and representative.
They hope to hear from candidates with excellent communication and relationship-building skills, alongside experience in a Trustee role. The successful individual will be able to build a collaborative Board environment, with Trustees empowered to constructively challenge each other. They will understand the legal requirements of Charitable organisations and be able to process financial, legal, and people-focused information at a strategic level. The Chair will be passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion, and committed to helping children live happy and healthy lives.
Please contact us quoting ref MC 2402 to ask for a pack
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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.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Progress towards equality for autistic children and young people has been made and we’re proud of our role in this as a movement for change. But there is still more progress to be made. This is an opportunity to lead the board of a charity that is ensuring we live in a world where autistic children and young people can be themselves and realise their ambitions.
Location: London across several sites.
Applications close on Friday 31st May.
Who we are.
Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for autistic children and young people. We were established in 1997 by a group of families of autistic children who were concerned about the lack of appropriate provision for their children. Following a major capital fundraising campaign and a series of temporary locations and premises, Treehouse School and our charity moved into purpose-built accommodation in 2008, together creating the Pears National Centre for Autism Education. Since then, we have grown our education services opening Ambitious College, The Rise School and Spring School, and merging with St John’s College in September 2023, alongside extending our national influencing and enabling activities.
We run specialist education services and an award-winning employment programme, wherein children and young people are at the heart of our charity’s decision-making, policy work and campaigning. We also use our expertise to deliver training and consultancy to a wide range of organisations to improve awareness and understanding of autism. We want to help even more autistic children and young people to improve their quality of life and secure a fulfilling and rewarding future.
Even during the pandemic, we lived up to our name as we achieved so many goals and plans. We developed our Right from the Start toolkit, launched our Employ Autism campaign, and have grown and evolved.
We are experiencing an exciting period of growth. We were chosen to open a new school – Spring School which supports up to 90 pupils at capacity from ages 4-19 and we announced our merger with St John’s College. Although this is exciting, we have a battle on our hands as we call on the government to follow their solutions in the SEND Green Paper. We’re concerned that some of the proposals will make it even harder for autistic children to access education support and so we are asking for a public commitment from the government to fund support for children with SEND. There are more than twice as many children with SEND in schools and colleges now than there were in 2010, but the government has not set out what funding will be available to pay for the additional support they need.
We know there is an increasing need for mental health support across all schools. Everyone should be able to feel OK at school. But we know this isn’t the case for many autistic pupils. That’s why we created the Autistic and OK programme to empower autistic pupils to take control of their mental health and wellbeing, understand themselves and feel OK at school. Our guide is free for every single secondary school. But there is more for us to do, to continue to build and empower our communities to ensure autistic young people feel understood and accepted.
We recognise that there is still more to be done to grow and develop our important work, first outlined in our Time for Ambition 2021-2024 strategy and so we are extending this strategy for a further two years. Our aims continue to include ensuring autistic children and young people have an excellent and inclusive education, alongside striving for every autistic young person to have good careers education at school and in further and higher education, including experience of work. Autistic people need services that support good mental health by reducing isolation and so we want to ensure early intervention through signposting to specialist support. We aim to ensure peer networks are available alongside uplifting but realistic information tailored to autistic young people and their families. We also want to further develop our Ambitious Youth Network and continue to expand nationally to empower young people to connect with one another and to influence societal change.
Given we run schools, following a governance review in December 2019, we created our own Multi-Academy Trust – Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust (AaAST) which currently has two schools. We implemented several new changes to our governance including Joint Trustees and a joint committee structure wherein there are five trustees each of the Charity and Trust Boards and three Trustees who are Trustees of both Boards who serve as the joint Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Charity and Trust. All Trustees of the Charity and Trust are members of a Joint Group Board Committee to ensure oversight of the Charity and Trust. How this works in practice is everyone meets together with a short meeting afterwards to discuss Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust.
Our new Chair.
Our current Chair, Neil Goulden, is approaching the end of his term in December 2024, and we are in search of our next Chair to lead our Board. We need a Chair who has extensive experience in modern board leadership, ensuring robust governance, and promoting collective strategic decision-making. We are looking for someone who is commercially astute, as we strive to drive our organisation’s continued growth, ambition, and development. We value a Chair who embodies credibility and adeptness in navigating complexity. The ability to work with others and build trusting relationships with a variety of stakeholders are key.
Our new Chair must be committed to making a meaningful impact and leading an organisation that empowers young autistic people during a pivotal period of change in our communities. We need a Chair who is an inclusive leader, fostering engagement, strategic thinking, and openness who will lead the board as an
exemplar of inclusivity. They must be supportive and challenging, creating opportunities for growth and positive impact.
It is vital that our new Chair works with the board to ensure that all voices are heard and will have an affinity for our mission to stand with autistic children and young people, champion their rights, and create opportunities.
The new Chair will work with an established board and ambitious executive team that is ensuring our organisation is sustainable, evolving, innovative and impactful, and leads change whilst providing outstanding education to young autistic people.
The Board meets once a term and has an annual strategy away day. We expect the time commitment for the Chair to vary, and we would expect the equivalent on average of circa two days a month across various activities such as preparation for board meetings, reading board papers, regular conversation with the Chief Executive, ad hoc discussions with board members and the executive team, and attending events throughout the year.
Our board is diverse in many ways, including autistic people, who are part of our board, alongside a balance of gender, ethnicity, and age. We want to continue ensuring our Board represents our society and the people we work with every day.
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 Friday 31st May.
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NIDAS supports women and families with all aspects of domestic abuse with confidential support and a variety of bespoke services. NIDAS, located in Mansfield, helps women to stay safe, grow their self-esteem and go on to build happy, healthy relationships. We believe being free from abuse is only the start of the journey.
Role Description
The role of the Chair of Trustees is to give leadership to the board and to make sure the board fulfils its duties and responsibilities. Additionally, the Chair of Trustees works closely with the CEO to support her/him to achieve the aims of NIDAS, and, at times, represent NIDAS at functions, meetings and in the press, and broadcasting media.
Level of Commitment
- Six-weekly board meetings
- Participating in a sub-committee and/ or ad hoc groups
- Regular meetings with the CEO
- Represent NIDAS at various events and meetings with stakeholders
Duties
In addition to the responsibilities of a trustee, the Chair of Trustees' duties are to:
- Provide leadership to the organisation and the board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of its charitable purposes in order to deliver the greatest public benefit.
- To ensure that the Annual Reports and accounts are produced at the end of each year for presentation to the Annual General Meeting and to ensure that they are forwarded to the Charity Commission within the appropriate time period.
- Chair and facilitate board meetings and the Annual General Meeting encouraging full participation by all attending.
- Establish sub-committees and working groups to address specific issues/tasks as deemed appropriate by the board, and to call upon specialist skills of his/her fellow Officers and Trustees in relation to those groups, and to participate in such groups as appropriate.
- Give direction to board policy making.
- Check that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.
- Represent the organisation at functions and meetings and act as a spokesperson when appropriate.
- Bring impartiality and objectivity to decision making.
- Liaise with the CEO to keep an overview of the organisation’s affairs.
- Lead the process of supporting and appraising the performance of the CEO.
- Sit on senior appointment, and disciplinary panels.
The Chair of Trustees will also work with the CEO to:
- Plan and set the agenda for the Annual General meeting with the Secretary.
- Plan the annual cycle of board meetings and agendas for each meeting with the Secretary.
- Develop the board of trustees including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning.
- Address conflict within the board and within the organisation, and liaise with the CEO to achieve this.
Person Specification
In addition to the specification for a trustee, the Chair of Trustees requires the following qualities:
- Strong leadership skills
- Experience of chairing meetings and/or committee work
- Ability to balance tact and diplomacy with willingness to challenge and constructively criticise
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Impartiality and fairness
- Good understanding of legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
- Previous trusteeship
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you passionate about taking action on climate change, biodiversity loss and social equity?
Do you believe that it's possible to meet today's needs without compromising those of future generations?
If you combine these beliefs with leadership skills and governance experience, we want to hear from you. Our Board of Trustees needs you to help us put Sustainability First in the UK.
Who we are
We’re a small, highly regarded think-tank and charity that promotes practical, sustainable solutions to improve environmental, economic and social wellbeing.
What we do
Sustainability First works towards real environmental and social change. Primarily
focussed on the energy and water sectors, we:
• undertake research
• initiate policy discussions
• make complex issues accessible to the public
• promote under-represented voices
• develop solutions to influence Players in the sector
The opportunity
You will be joining Sustainability First at a critical time, when we are stepping up our ambition to drive change in the energy and water sectors in a way that benefits people and responds to the urgent need to transition to a more sustainable future. You will work collaboratively with our Executive Director in meeting our ambitions to scale our work, drive change across the sector and embed the representation of people into decision-making.
This will include six primary responsibilities:
1 Ensure that Sustainability First has a clear strategic direction aimed at fulfilling its charity objectives and that the Strategy is regularly reviewed.
2 Oversee the governance of the Charity with:
a. an effective, diverse and relevant Board of Trustees.
b. appropriate policies, processes & financial management such that the Charity operates within the law, in pursuit of its Strategy and demonstrating good practice.
c. regular and effective liaison, reporting and oversight of the Executive Director, Company Secretary and, as necessary, staff and panel of experts in order to ensure effective and proportionate planning, use of resources, monitoring and reporting by the Board of Trustees.
3 Set the agenda for and chair Board meetings to ensure engagement of, and discussion amongst Trustees based on the best possible information, input from the Executive Director and team, leading to clear and accountable decision-making.
4 Appoint, support and manage the Executive Director on behalf of the Board.
5 Ensure that the charity has an income generation strategy which is monitored and actively supported by trustees and Chair, in order to achieve the Board’s stated objective to build resilience and capacity for Sustainability First to successfully fulfil its charitable objects.
6 Represent the charity externally as required.
Skills
After many years of service to our charity, our current Chair is retiring. At a time of opportunity and challenge for our organisation, we’re looking for someone with a proven track record of leadership at board level, ideally in the UK charity sector. Your experience of running and growing a small but impactful organisation in a professional or voluntary capacity will be crucial to the work of our Board, dedicated staff and expert associates.
Not one to shy away from a challenge, you will draw on your experience of collegiate collaboration, positive decision-making and effective problem-solving to help ensure funding, organisational excellence, and ultimately environmental and social change.
PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR CHAIR
The ideal candidate will have proven knowledge/ skills/ experience in the following areas:
- Governance and board experience (essential) and in a chairing or leadership role (desirable)
- *Demonstrable leadership skills consistent with Sustainability First’s values and charitable purpose (essential)
- *Ability to both manage and support the Board and Executive Director to help achieve the best outcomes (essential)
- Support the vision and mission of the charity (essential) with experience, networks and profile in one or more of our areas of operation (desirable)
- *Sufficient time and energy to fulfil the role (essential)
- A growth mindset* (essential) and income generation experience (desirable)
- *Experience of small organisations and their particular challenges in a professional or voluntary capacity (essential)
- Experience of working within the UK Charity Sector (desirable)
In addition to preparing for and chairing the Board, the Chair will be an ex officio member of all Board Panels, will line manage the Executive Director and will represent the charity externally as requested.
The commitment is likely to average around two days per month. The appointment is for an initial three-year term with the option to renew.
How to apply
The deadline for applications is 13th May. You can read our recruitment pack in full on our website. Please send a cover letter explaining your reasons for applying, the skills and experience you would bring to this role, and a copy of your CV plus a completed EDI Monitoring Form to our Company Secretary and Head of Finance, Claire Williams.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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Support U is a Reading based charity set up in 2010 to provide support to LGBTQ people in the Thames Valley. Our small team runs social, emotional and wellbeing support and social groups and provides some counselling services. We are looking to revitalise our Trustee Board and require a new Chair of Trustees.
This role description includes:
1. Your general statutory responsibilities as a Trustee
2. Specific Responsibilities for your role as a Chair of Trustees
1. Your general statutory responsibilities as a trustee:
· Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy
· Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document (ie its constitution), charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations
· Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (ie the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public
· Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
· Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation
· Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
· Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation
· Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions.
This may involve:-
· scrutinising board papers,
· leading discussions,
· focusing on key issues,
· providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
2. Your specific responsibilities as Chair of Trustees, including person specification
Your responsibilities as Chair of Trustees include:
· Providing leadership to the organisation and the board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes in order to provide greater public benefit
· Chairing and facilitating board meetings
· Giving direction to board policy-making
· Checking that decisions taken at meetings are implemented
· Representing the organisation at functions and meetings, and acting as a spokesperson as appropriate
· Bringing impartiality and objectivity to decision-making
· Planning the annual cycle of board meetings and other general meetings where required, for example annual general meeting
· 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, and liaising with the chief executive (if staff are employed) to achieve this.
Person specification for the Chair
· Leadership skills
· Experience of committee work
· Tact and diplomacy
· Good communication and interpersonal skills
· Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.
In most circumstances, it would also be desirable 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.
Your role also includes the following person specifications, which are universal for all trustees:
· A commitment to the organisation
· A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
· Strategic vision
· Good, independent judgement
· An ability to think creatively
· A willingness to speak their mind
· An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
· An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
· A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.