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With a goal to help transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people, the UK's leading autism charity, the National Autistic Society, is looking for three new Trustees to join the Board and help navigate their future challenges.

Applications close Monday 12th January

Who we are

The National Autistic Society (NAS) is the UK’s leading charity for autistic people and one of the country’s major charities, with a turnover of around £100 million. Since 1962, we’ve been transforming lives, changing attitudes and helping to create a society that works for autistic adults and children.

We are active across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and have a network of volunteer-run branches across the UK. As well as adult services and schools, we run a range of programmes, have dedicated diagnostic services and run specialist helplines. We also work closely with businesses, local authorities and the government to help them provide more autism-friendly spaces, deliver better services and improve laws. And we improve public understanding of autism and the difficulties many autistic people face.

We’re continuing to advocate on longstanding issues such as social care funding and campaign for what autistic people need to see in the forthcoming autism strategy in England and its equivalent in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. We’re also growing our branch network – including national online branches – and we are working on a new mental health programme combining research, digital guidance and policy influencing.

This is a truly transformational and vital time to be part of our Charity. We are in the latter stages of our Vision to Reality Strategy for 2023-2026, which sets out the role of NAS in creating a society that works for autistic people.

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved – but there’s always more to be done. As the economic, social and political landscape changes, our strategy must evolve to reflect changes. We need to ensure we continue to increase our fundraising and commercial activities to deliver the scale of impact required.

We’re looking for three new Trustees to join our Board to help us navigate future challenges.

Who we are looking for

• Our Schools Governance Group

We are also looking for two Trustees to join our School Governance Group, one who will chair the committee and one who will be a member of the committee. Our family of schools includes our four independent specialist schools, supporting children and young people from the age of 4 to 22. We aim to make sure we are continually challenging our schools, keeping everyone safe, monitoring their progress and getting the best possible outcomes for all of our pupils in all of our schools.

Previously, we carried out a review of the local governance arrangements of our schools. Historically, the independent schools in NAS were governed locally by an LGB, which brought excellent opportunities for partnership working; however, as time went on, we required a model that would ensure consistency of challenge, support and monitoring across all our schools. We have amended our LGBs locally; the groups focus on partnership working, whilst the strategic direction, development, challenge and support for the executive, assurance and governance sits firmly with our Schools Governance Group as a sub-committee of the trustee board.

Our new Chair of the Schools Governance Group will have strong knowledge and experience of schools, school governance, the DfE and Ofsted and be a senior leader with experience in education and special educational needs. The new Chair of the committee will work closely with our Director of Education and Children’s Services, Chief Executive, Chair of the Board, Chair of the Independent Safeguarding Committee and our Trustee with safeguarding expertise.

The additional member of this committee will be someone who brings strong experience and insight in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and safeguarding. Your expertise will play a vital role in ensuring that our culture and decision-making processes fully reflect best practice in supporting children and young people with SEND, and in maintaining the highest standards of safety and well-being across our organisation.

• Chair of Quality & Assurance Committee

Our current Chair of the Quality and Assurance Committee will shortly be completing their term and we seek a successor with a strong background in adult social care and safeguarding, as well as a solid understanding of commissioning.

This is an opportunity for someone who can offer both constructive challenge and thoughtful support — a person who brings insight, curiosity and a balanced perspective to complex discussions. The ideal candidate will combine strategic oversight with a collaborative and compassionate approach, helping to ensure that quality, safety and continuous improvement remain at the heart of our work. They will be confident in asking the right questions, guiding reflective debate and fostering a culture of openness and accountability across the Committee and the wider organisation.

We’re looking for people who can provide strategic direction, appropriate oversight, scrutiny, challenge, leadership and passion to support our development.

We’re keen to ensure our Board is diverse in every way and we’re committed to ensuring our Trustees reflect our society, our Charity and the people we represent and support. We welcome applications from autistic people, their families and carers. To achieve greater diversity, we’re actively encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds and regions. We can work with you to make reasonable adjustments to ensure you contribute fully to being a member of our Board. Our Pioneer project is focused on ensuring our organisation is an exemplary employer of autistic people. This also extends to our Board.

• Time Commitment

The National Autistic Society Board meets four times, with one overnight strategy away day every year. Our meetings are a blend of face-to-face and virtual meetings. Our Trustees with education experience will join our School Governance Group, which meets quarterly, usually online. Our Quality & Assurance Committee also meets quarterly. We expect the overall time commitment to be approximately one day per month, including reading board papers, ad hoc conversations with board members and the executive and the opportunity throughout the year to visit our services and schools, as well as represent NAS at events.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ 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 Monday 12th January.

Build on Belief is a charity dedicated to helping people who have, or have had issues with drugs and alcohol use, working to improve and sustain their health and wellbeing in order they can recover to lead fulfilling lives. Bring your accountancy and financial experience and skills to become a voluntary trustee and Honorary Treasurer for a growing and innovative organisation and help make a difference across diverse communities in London and SE England.  If you’ve experience in accountancy and finance and perhaps even your own lived experience, then you could help us take the organisation forward.

What we do

BoB helps build the “social capital’ of people who are on a journey of recovery from histories of alcohol, illicit or prescribed drugs. Many of our service users and volunteers across our fourteen London and South-East projects have associated mental and physical health problems, along with histories of homelessness and unemployment.

We largely operate a structure where we recruit volunteers from our service users, and our managers from our volunteer pool, once trained. Our CEO, most managers and some members of the Board have lived experience, and many have been through the drug and alcohol treatment system. This ‘unique’ structure, we believe, gives a high level of peer led understanding of needs and responses

What you will be doing

Purpose of the Trustee Role & Hon Treasurer

The role of a trustee is to ensure that the organisation fulfils its duty to its beneficiaries and delivers on its vision, mission and values. The board of trustees are both jointly and individually responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, its financial health, the probity of its activities and developing the organisation's aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines.

The Hon. Treasurer plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the financial integrity and sustainability of the organisation. Their primary responsibility is to maintain strategic oversight of the organisation’s financial affairs, ensuring that it remains viable, compliant, and well-positioned to achieve its charitable objectives. This includes ensuring that robust financial systems, accurate records, and effective procedures are in place and consistently followed.

The Treasurer works closely with, and is, actively supported by the CEO and Head of Finance & Central Operations, collaborating on both strategic and operational financial matters to ensure sound governance and effective delivery.

Time Commitment

Trustees are expected to attend bi-monthly board meetings (Tuesday evening) at Earls Court and participate in ad-hoc task groups and occasional on-line meetings.

BoB Trustees are Required To:

Uphold the charity’s mission and ensure its effective governance, strategic direction, and legal compliance. Their responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership

· Ensure the charity pursues its stated charitable objects as defined in the Memorandum & Articles of Association.

· Establish and maintain a clear vision, values, and strategy, ensuring shared understanding among trustees, staff, volunteers, stakeholders, and associated personnel.

· Ensure operational plans and budgets align with and support the strategic vision.

· Define organisational goals and evaluate performance against agreed targets.

· Advise on and support fundraising efforts and project engagement.

Stakeholder Engagement

· Regularly seek and consider the views of external stakeholders and service users, staff, and volunteers.

· Uphold the good name and values of the organisation in all interactions.

Governance and Compliance

· Ensure compliance with the Mem & Articles of Association, charity law, company law, employment law, and other relevant regulations.

· Ensure resources are used exclusively to further the charity’s objects.

· Maintain appropriate governance structures that reflect the charity’s size, complexity, and diversity.

· Review the governance structure and board performance regularly.

· Ensure trustees adhere to an agreed code of conduct, with mechanisms for addressing non-compliance.

Risk and Oversight

·  Identify and regularly review major risks to the organisation, ensuring systems are in place to mitigate or manage them.

· Monitor changes in the external environment (political, financial, demographic, competitive) that may impact the charity.

· Hold staff accountable for the management and administration of the charity.

· Consider external professional advice on matters presenting material risk or potential breach of trustee duties.

Staff and Operational Oversight

· Follow formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal, and remuneration of staff.

· Ensure the organisation exercises a duty of care to its employees.

· Support continuous professional development across the organisation.

Engagement and Representation

· Visit local services and attend key events to support the charity’s work.

· Actively engage with the charity’s activities and initiatives.

· Act as ambassadors for the charity.

The Hon. Treasurers Role

Strategic

· Assist and advise in the formation of the charity’s financial strategy, ensuring adequate resources to deliver services and that funds are spent on furthering charitable purposes.

· Advise on the financial implications of strategic and operational plans.

· Advise on the funding strategy and ensure alignment with the charity’s aims.

· Ensure the Board receives regular and appropriate financial information.

· Review and present the annual financial statements to the Board.

· Recommend appropriate accounting procedures, controls, and policies consistent with financial and regulatory legislation.

· Oversee the appointment and regular review of auditors.

· Work in close partnership with the CEO and Head of Finance & Central Operations to support strategic goals.

· Ensure appropriate investment and reserves policies are in place.

· Monitor the performance of investments.

· Ensure all assets are adequately maintained and accounted for.

Governance

· Maintain effective governance of the organisation’s financial affairs, ensuring viability and proper processes for financial records, decisions, and delegations.

· Ensure the Board is aware of its financial duties and responsibilities and complies with all relevant legislations (e.g. Companies and Charity Law)

· Lead on the assessment and management of financial risk

· Ensure financial policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and updated

· Ensure compliance with charity accounting practices and statutory requirements

· Ensure recommendations from auditors are implemented

· Ensure accounts meet conditions of contractual agreements with funders and statutory bodies.

Experience, Skills & Behaviours required to fulfil the role of Hon. Treasurer effectively:

• Experience of charity accounting.
• Experience of financial control, budgeting, and risk management.
• Good communications and interpersonal skills.
• A willingness to be contacted on an ad-hoc basis.
• Ability to ensure financial decisions taken are followed up in a timely manner.

What we are looking for

Our Trustee Board comprises people who have good skills and experience in, corporate strategic marketing and communications, health care, HR, information technology, research and legal matters. 

Our current Honorary Treasurer is standing down after seven years, and we are looking to replace him. The role of Honorary Treasurer is an important one, being the key person colleague trustees look to for professional advice about all things financial.  We have a Head of Finance & Central Operations who manages the day-to-day financial management and reporting systems.

This year we have introduced two systems to underpin our growth to a nearly £2m business. These are Xero and PLEO, with PEOPLE HR for our associated HR functions.

If you’ve experience of senior financial management and leadership, then you could make a significant contribution to our development.

Essential experience & qualifications sought

We are open to a variety of professional financial backgrounds and qualifications with, ideally but not necessarily only, charities and including current registration as a member of the:

o Institute of Chartered Accountants.

o Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

o Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

o CIPFA

We are very open to bringing on board people who can support us becoming a more inclusive organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, women and other underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities and from LGBTQI communities. We are also very open to recruiting someone who may have their own lived experience of addictions and adversity to draw upon. What counts will be your enthusiasm, commitment, competence and interest in taking on a trustee and governance role.

 A few more details on application process

Our deadline for applications is Monday 15 December 2025

· Please submit a CV and a covering letter (no more than 2 pages) which must address three questions (see below).

· We aim to be flexible with interview dates, to include early evenings but aim to hold them during January or early February.

· If you need any particular support if you are invited to an interview, then please make this clear in your supporting statement (see below).

· We plan to have an induction and familiarisation/onboarding process before final confirmation as a trustee. Once appointed, Trustees are expected to serve a minimum three-year term of office. This is a voluntary and non-paid position.

Please send your CV with covering Supportive Statement to our Chair, Roger Howard:

· Your Supportive Statement or covering letter should address three questions:

i. Why are you interested in becoming a trustee and treasurer of BoB?

ii. What insights and experiences can you bring to our charity Board?

iii. Is there anything in your background that we should be aware of that might be relevant to you becoming a trustee/company director?

Personal data statement:  In line with GDPR, we ask that you do NOT send us any informtion that can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data in your CV and application documentation, apart from matters relating to your own experiences of addictions and matters which may arise during a subsequent DBS enhanced scrutiny.

Following this notice, any inclusion of your Sensitive Personal Data in your CV/ application documentation will be understood by us as your express consent to process this information going forward.

About Bliss

With an impact in all corners of the UK, Bliss is the leading national neonatal charity, championing and developing the services for the 90,000 sick and premature babies born each year, supporting both them and their families. At Bliss, we are committed to improving care, giving voice to babies, and supporting parents to be partners in care. 

This is a really exciting time to join our board. We’ve just launched our new four-year strategy, which puts equity at the heart of everything we do. With NHS reforms underway, a new 10-Year Plan on the horizon, and growing attention on maternity and neonatal care, there’s a real opportunity to raise Bliss’s profile and make a lasting difference for premature and sick babies across the UK.

Chair opportunity

Our new Chair will be an experienced Trustee or Board member with proven ability to manage meetings effectively and foster productive, inclusive discussions. They will bring energy and drive, ensuring robust governance and alignment between strategy and operations. They will enjoy leading inclusive and thoughtful discussions, and share our passion for giving every baby the best possible start in life.

You can find more information about Bliss and the Chair role in our recruitment pack.

Don’t think you quite meet all of the specifications? Please don’t count yourself out – we’d still love to hear from you and learn more about you and your interest in joining Bliss!

Ready to apply?

Eastside People is supporting Bliss in the recruitment of these roles. Please by submitting your CV and a cover letter both in Word doc format.

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

• Why is Bliss’ work important to you and how can you contribute to the charity as our Chair?
• How do you ensure board meetings are focused, inclusive, and lead to clear decisions?
• How would you go about ensuring that our many stakeholders are heard and represented at Board level?

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us so we can support you appropriately.

Bliss’ Chair, CEO and Trustees will be hosting a 30-minute drop-in session on Mon 8th December at 12pm via Teams. This is an opportunity to learn more about Bliss and what’s involved in joining our Board. You can register to attend here.

The closing date for applications is Mon 5th Jan. 

Longlisting interviews with Eastside People will take place mid-January, with shortlisted candidates invited to panel interviews with Bliss during the week commencing 2 February.

Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to take part in open sessions with staff and Board members, with final interviews scheduled for the week commencing 23 February.

Bliss is an equal opportunities organisation. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and lived experiences. We strive to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and are committed to equity and inclusion at every level of our governance.

We look forward to hearing from you!

We are looking for a finance professional to join our engaged and friendly board as Treasurer, with specific oversight of the charity’s financial management. While day-to-day financial administration is carried out by employees or external providers, the Treasurer works closely with them and the Board to ensure sound financial governance. The Treasurer provides financial leadership, helps trustees understand the organisation’s finances, and ensures that the charity meets its financial and statutory obligations.

You will have a qualification in Financial Management, Accounting, or Audit, and a strong understanding of financial management in the voluntary or business sectors. Previous charity experience is not necessary, but a willingness to undertake training is essential (usually one day).

You will have the ability to communicate financial information clearly to those without financial expertise and be a strategic thinker, with the ability to balance financial scrutiny with broader trustee responsibilities.

Our board meet once a month (either virtually or in person in London) for around 90 minutes. We aim to have strategy days twice a year. You will meet with the CEO and Finance Manager once a month, and be available for ad hoc emails, advice. Trustees are usually appointed for a three-year term, which can usually be extended. 

We will provide access to training (typically one day) if you do not have direct experience in charity finance.

You will also bring a commitment to the values, aims, and objectives of the charity, and a desire to help children and young people who have experienced grief.

Carers UK is the national membership charity for the millions of people in the UK who are unpaid carers. As an organisation we provide expert advice and information for carers, campaign for greater recognition and support for carers, and use our experience and expertise to help other organisations do more for carers. Our Board of Trustees plays a vital leadership role in the work we do while ensuring the charity is equipped and governed effectively, establishing and monitoring strategy and ensuring we are true to our values and keep carers at the heart of everything we do.

We are now seeking to appoint up to four people to join our Board of Trustees, to steer us towards our vision of a world where carers are recognised, valued and supported.

It’s an exciting time to be part of Carers UK, as we launch our new strategic review in 2026. Our Board is instrumental in ensuring we make the future really impactful for carers through our vision and strategy while fulfilling all our obligations as a charity.

We are also seeking to appoint a Nations Trustee for Scotland. In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, the Nations Trustee will be expected to ensure that the Carers UK Board is informed on key issues affecting carers in their Nation. 

To find out more about this opportunity and apply, please download the Trustee recruitment pack from our website

Carers UK is committed to representing the diverse society in which we work and actively encourages applications from people with current or recent experience of caring from all backgrounds and experiences.

Looking for an exciting opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of Londoners affected by homelessness, while contributing your professional insights to a forward-thinking and compassionate organisation? Why not join us as our Audit Committee Chair or as a Trustee!

About Evolve Housing + Support

At Evolve, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live a safe, fulfilled and independent life. We provide support in London, offering tailored programmes to meet people’s individual needs; including housing, employment and skills training, mentoring and counselling.

We do this through our work with young parents and children at risk of exclusion to build the skills and resilience that can help prevent homelessness, campaigning to end street homelessness, and building affordable homes to help people move on to an independent life.

Our company culture: the heart of what we do

We’re proud of our inclusive culture – one where everyone’s voice matters, and where diversity of background, thought and experience helps us make better decisions for the communities we serve. Our mission - to help children, young people and adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness reach their potential, and move on to live happy, fulfilled lives. We ensure our values - Honest, Inclusive, Optimistic, Determined, Passionate & Creative inform everything we do.

The opportunities to join us

At Evolve Housing + Support, we are championing opportunity, dignity and independence for people affected by homelessness – a cause that may resonate with you and encourage you to lend your strategic oversight and financial skills to our Board.

We are looking for a new Audit Committee Chair and two Trustees to join our Board and play a key role in shaping our governance and strategic direction.

As our Audit Committee Chair, you’ll ensure we maintain the highest standards of financial stewardship, carry out all our affairs effectively under all regulatory bodies, while keeping our mission and values at the heart of decision-making through your leadership.

The Trustee roles present the opportunity to play a crucial part in the successful running of our organisation, in partnership with the leadership team, upholding excellent governance using your professional skills. 

Who are we looking for?

We are particularly interested in speaking with people who are able to lead and inspire, who also have the strategic and analytical thinking skills to lead through periods of change, and who can communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and audiences.

You’ll need to have the ability to proactively support the values of Evolve Housing + Support, have a strong understanding of good governance practice along with a financial or HR background at a professional level, and a strong track record in a relevant sector, with empathy for our core customer group.

Don’t think you quite meet all of the specifications? Please don’t count yourself out – we’d still love to hear from you and learn more about you and your interest in joining Evolve!

Sounding good? Here’s how you can apply today!

Please read the Candidate Information Pack for more information before you apply. 

How to Apply:

Eastside People is supporting Evolve Housing + Support in the recruitment of these roles. Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter, both in Word doc format.

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

• Why are you interested in the Chair/Trustee role at Evolve Housing + Support? 
• Having read the information pack, what relevant experience and skills do you feel you would bring to this role? 

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us so we can support you appropriately.

The closing date for applications is Mon 22 Dec 2025. Shortlisting interviews will take place shortly after and shortlisted candidates will have an interview with Evolve during the week beginning 12 January 2026.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Are you passionate about building a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient economy? Are you looking for a meaningful way to use your finance expertise?

ECU is a small, dynamic non-profit working to transform the economy so that everyone has the freedom and security to live a good life. 

We are now recruiting for ECU’s first Treasurer, who will lead at board level on monitoring ECU’s financial performance and sustainability, ensuring that we have robust financial policies and processes in place, and supporting other board members to fulfil their collective responsibilities around finance. 

This is an exciting time to join ECU. We have an ambitious vision for change, a strong analysis of the opportunities and barriers to progress, and a clear view of our role in building a better economy. Our board is committed, collaborative and inclusive, with a strong understanding of its role and remit, and a culture of open dialogue. Our work is challenging, fascinating, and fulfilling – and, with rising levels of inequality, an unfolding climate emergency, overstretched public services and a growing concentration of corporate power, it couldn’t be more important.

Are you passionate about building a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient economy? Are you looking for a meaningful way to use your finance expertise?  ECU is a small, dynamic non-profit working to transform the economy. Join us!

What will you be doing?

In addition to the responsibilities of all board members, the Treasurer will: 

1. Support the Board to review and monitor ECU’s financial performance and sustainability
2. Ensure the Board receives timely, accessible and accurate financial information
3. Support the team to develop and maintain robust and proportionate financial policies, processes and risk management systems

What are we looking for?

• Commitment to ECU’s mission and values
• Commitment to the legal duties and responsibilities
• Financial management experience, policies, risk
• Qualifications
• Able to interpret, interrogate and communicate financial information
• Work as part of a diverse team, and devote the time 

Desirable - treasurer experience

What difference will you make?

We have an ambitious vision for change, a strong analysis of the opportunities and barriers to progress, and a clear view of our role in building a better economy. Our board is committed, collaborative and inclusive, with a strong understanding of its role and remit, and a culture of open dialogue.

Before you apply

• Your interest in this role and what you could bring to it
• What would you want to learn and gain?

Interview 25 Feb in London (expenses paid)