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We are looking for two dedicated Lay Trustees who will join our Board to support the strategic direction of the charity. We are member-led, funded by our universities and together with students we strive to create a world class student experience for all.
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in our Lay Trustee roles here at Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union (The SU); based in beautiful Cornwall. We're very pleased to announce the opening of applications for our esteemed Board of Trustees. We are very proud of what we do, and we are looking for two dedicated Lay Trustees who will join our Board to support the strategic direction of the charity. You will need to share the values of the SU and commitment to achieve our priorities, working collaboratively to help take us to the next level. We are a member-led charity, funded by our universities and together with students we strive to create a world class student experience for all.
Our membership comprises of students studying with both Falmouth University and the University of Exeter (Cornwall) which creates a unique and special experience of which we love to be a key part of.
The role of Lay Trustee provides an opportunity to support our President Trustees and Student Trustees, foster a culture of student leadership and deliver a student focused service.
You will be taking up the role at a critical and exciting time, as we are undertaking two crucial pieces of work: finalising our new 2025-2028 strategic plan, and beginning the quintennial review of our Constitution. If you are excited at the prospect of contributing to the growth and development of the SU, then we eagerly anticipate the possibility of working alongside you to shape the future of our organisation.
We are especially keen to hear from applicants with experience in Finance, Higher Education, Human Resources, Charity or Employment Law.
About Us
We’re an autonomous organisation and we’re funded by the University of Exeter and Falmouth University. Acting independently ensures that we remain entirely focused on our students with one purpose in mind: to improve their student experience.
As a registered charity (1193045), our charitable purpose is the advancement of education, and our funds can for used for this charitable purpose only. This means that as a not-for-profit organisation: any income we gain goes straight back into providing services for students.
We are a member-led democratic organisation; our students are at the heart of everything we do. Our members views, opinions and experiences regarding students’ lives influence decision makers operating at every level, helping to shape the wider student experience and we enjoy positive collaborative relationships with both universities. Students have the power to shape what the Union does through our Annual Student Members’ Meetings and referenda, and they lead our Student Forum, which determine our Union priorities.
We are proud of the range of opportunities and services that we provide to students, which includes student led societies and sports clubs, volunteering opportunities, professional independent specialist advice, academic representation, and democratic activities. We also help students to organise a wide range of events and activities specifically for their fellow students.
Our Board
Our board is unique in the charity sector. We have a young and dynamic board; two thirds of the trustees are either recent or current students at the universities resulting in a purposefully high turnover of trustees. The charity is based in a complex, ever-changing Higher Education sector, working closely with two very different universities.
We have three sets of Trustees:
• Four President Trustees: a President and Vice President from each university, elected by cross-campus ballot. These are student leaders who have either just finished their degree or take a sabbatical to take up this role, in which they are also a full-time employee. Term: one year, maximum of two terms.
• Four Student Trustees: two from each university, appointed via the Appointments Committee. These are current students who offer direct insight into university life. Term: two years, maximum of two terms.
• Four Lay Trustees: appointed via the Appointments Committee. These trustees offer expertise, continuity, and insight. They are experienced, skilled members who enjoy being part of a dynamic board and supporting the younger trustees. Term: three years, maximum of three terms.
The Chair of the Board will always be a President Trustee, and the Deputy Chair will always be a Lay Trustee. Any Trustee can chair one of our three sub-committees: Finance, Appointments, Remuneration and Human Resources.
Why Should You Become a Trustee?
Being a Trustee is a valuable and rewarding experience. You’ll get to make a lasting difference to the lives of our students, and influence how the Union is run. You will use your skills, knowledge, and experience to support the Board in reaching sound decisions. You will be involved in leading discussions, making collective decisions, and identifying key issues. You’ll have the opportunity to mentor and support our President and Student Trustees. As a Lay Trustee, you are eligible to become Deputy Chair of the Board, or Chair of one of the sub-committees.
You will receive comprehensive induction training, and further training relevant to your role as a Chair or member of a sub-committee.
Job Description
We’re looking for someone to work collectively with our board of trustees to provide support and strategic direction to our Students’ Union.
Remuneration: Lay Trustees are voluntary, unpaid roles. However, all reasonable out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed, such as travel costs to board meetings.
Hours: Hours can vary however typically each year:
• Four Board of Trustees meetings – each meeting is around three hours long conducted online.
• Additional two (eight for Finance) sub-committees meetings conducted online – each meeting is around 45 minutes.
• There are usually one or two in-person events per year including a Board of Trustees meeting – each event is usually a day and/or an evening event. These are delivered in Cornwall (expenses paid).
Term of office: three years, up to three terms.
Location: Homebased with one or two in-person events in Cornwall per year.
Role Purpose
The Trustees are ultimately responsible, individually and collectively, for all activity within the SU. The Board is legally responsible for our staff, finances, risk management and reputation. The Board is responsible for setting the vision and values of the organisation and for ensuring the delivery of organisational purpose. The Trustees ensure development of and agree a long-term strategy. They approve and monitor plans to deliver the strategy.
Key Responsibilities:
• To ensure The SU acts in accordance with its charitable purpose, constitution and other governing documents and relevant legislation while remaining true to its Mission, Vision and Values.
• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees role by determining the Students’ Union strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Ensure The SU uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects/purpose.
• Act as guardians of The SU’s assets and ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
• Prepare for Board meetings by reading through materials and Board papers beforehand, scrutinising information and be able to discuss issues.
• Take advice on matters on which you are not competent to decide.
• Provide support to President Trustees and Student Trustees.
• Take part in Board Reviews and Skills Audits each year.
• Use personal skills and experience to ensure the Union is well-run and efficient
• Seek external professional advice where there may be material risk to the Union or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties or at any other appropriate moment.
• Add value to the Trustee Board and the Union through generating ideas, challenging the status quo, broadening thinking and supporting and promoting innovation and creativity.
• Abide by the Union Trustee Code of Conduct.
CRITERIA
All Trustees must display the following characteristics
Commitment to and passion for The SU.
Willingness and reliability to devote the necessary time and effort.
Strategic vision.
Good, independent judgment.
Ability to think creatively.
An understanding of and commitment to the values and principles of student representation and democracy.
Willingness to speak their mind.
Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
Responsible, especially when handling sensitive and confidential information.
A commitment to act in accordance with the Nolan principles for ethical conduct in public service.
We are looking for individuals who have skills, knowledge or experience in one or more of these sectors
Finance
Higher Education
Human Resources
Charity or Employment Law
How To Apply
Please visit the role posting on our website for further details on how to apply. We require the completion of a Person Details form, and Skills Audit spreadsheets, along with your CV and covering letter. The deadline for applications is 09:00 on Friday 16 May. Interviews will take place online via MS Teams on Wednesday 21 May, an additional slot is also available on Thursday 22 May if this is not convenient.
You must be available to attend Trustee Training on Friday 20 June, and Board of Trustees on Wednesday 25 June (as an observer), both online via MS Teams. Your term of office will start on Tuesday 1 July.
Eligibility
There are strict conditions placed on charity Trustees by law and all applicants must declare that they are eligible to become a charity Trustee. You will not be eligible if:
• You are on the Sex Offenders’ Register
• You have any unspent conviction for an offence involving:
o deception or dishonesty
o terrorist offences
o money laundering
o bribery
o misconduct in public office, perjury, perverting the course of justice
o contravention of certain preventative Orders of the Charity Commission (Section 77 of the Charities Act 2011)
o attempting, aiding or abetting the above offences
• You have any designation under specific anti-terrorist legislation
• You have been convicted of contempt of court
• You have been removed from:
o trusteeship, or as an officer, agent or employee of a charity by the Court or the Commission for misconduct or mismanagement
o a position of management or control of a charity in Scotland for mismanagement or misconduct
• You have been found guilty by the High court of disobeying a Commission order or direction
• You have an undischarged bankruptcy
• You have a composition or arrangement with creditors which includes an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) and is currently on the Insolvency Service Register
As part of the recruitment process, we will ask you to sign a declaration that you are legally entitled to become a Trustee and commit the required time.
Data Protection
We’re committed to data protection and it’s important to know what’s happening with your data when you apply for a role. That means we’ll only use the information you supply for the purposes of progressing your application (or to fulfil legal or regulatory requirements if necessary) and we’ll never share your information with any third parties for marketing purposes or store it outside of the European Economic Area.
Equal Opportunities
We’re committed to ensuring our workforce accurately reflects the diversity of the world we live in. We positively encourage applications from all individuals irrespective of their gender, age, home country, ethnic background, sexuality, religious beliefs or disability. All candidates will be treated equally and all appointments made on merit.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is an exciting time to be joining UoGSU as we are implementing our new strategy. As an organisation we have been focused on communities, change and the education of our members.
We are looking for a trustee with experience and expertise in finance – this trustee will chair our Audit and Risk committee. You will be a qualified accountant with experience of financial management, governance and oversight and an understanding of financial audit best practice. Previous experience of Audit and Risk committee work is of interest but not essential. Each term lasts 3 years and trustees can serve a maximum of 2 consecutive terms. Extensions are dependent on re-election to the board.
The individual appointed as trustee will need to be sympathetic to the aims of the SU and more generally share a commitment to the broader values of the student movement; student representation, student rights and the student experience – and the importance of students having a platform to organize together to help make these values a reality.
The role requires a careful balance; trustees need to respect the democratic will of the membership where possible but also be willing to think creatively, challenge constructively and point out potential risk. The Board is comprised of Student Trustees and External Trustees and oversees the work of a team of permanent staff and Student Officers led by the Chief Executive.
An eye for detail to ensure the SU is being well governed and the ability to see future opportunities are also important.
The role is to serve on the board of trustees. Each term lasts 3 years and trustees can serve a maximum of 2 consecutive terms. Extensions are dependent on re-election to the board.
General candidate requirements:
All candidates will need to be comfortable reading and understanding financial information (or be willing to learn more about this aspect of the role). They should also have the following:
- An understanding of business management.
- A willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort to attend board andother meetings, including preparing and reading for those meetings.
- A willingness to speak their mind and contribute.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Analytical ability and good independent judgement.
- An understanding and acceptance of the role of a Charity’s Board of Trustees (including the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of Trusteeship).
- A commitment to act in accordance with the Nolan principles for ethical conduct in public service and the SU own values.
Desirable but not essential:
-Recent experience of the higher education sector or of Students’ Unions.
-Experience or knowledge of board governance.
Commitment required
Board Meetings: There are 5 scheduled meetings each year, usually held early evening and lasting 2 to 2.5 hours, with extra meetings added if required (although this is rare). Each meeting will have associated reading and preparation work. Meetings are usually conducted face-to-face, but trustees may participate remotely depending on their schedule and other commitments.
Sub-committees: All trustees will Chair or sit on our board sub-committees – the Audit & Risk and People Committees. These committees usually meet up to 4 times each year and are scheduled to fit trustee availability.
Board members will also need to be available to approve decisions electronically between meetings if required.
If feasible, Board members are also encouraged to visit the SU and observe major events such as Welcome.
UoGSU exists to support its members to overcome the myriad challenges they face, so that they can love their time at the University of Gloucestershire
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you passionate about improving healthcare in your community? Do you have expertise in fundraising, philanthropy or corporate partnerships and want to use it for good? Join St George’s Hospital Charity as a Trustee and help us deliver transformative change for patients, families, and NHS staff.
Why Join Us Now?
St George’s Hospital Charity supports St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, home to world-leading care and the setting of 24 Hours in A&E. Following the voluntary merger on 1 August 2024. City St Georges University has become one of the largest higher education destinations for London students, and a powerful multi-faculty institution with a distinctive focus on professional education and research at the frontier of practice.
This is a pivotal moment to shape the future of our fundraising and impact for 10,000 staff members and 1 million patients we serve every year.
We’re Looking for a Fundraising-Focused Trustee
We are seeking a new Trustee to bring insight, experience or networks in one or more of the following areas:
- Major gifts and high-net-worth individual (HNWI) engagement
- Philanthropy and strategic giving
- Corporate partnerships
- Business development or entrepreneurial leadership
You’ll work alongside our dynamic Board and Executive Team to shape and strengthen our high-value fundraising strategy. Your input will help us grow income from £3 million to £5 million over the next four years.
What You’ll Bring
You don’t need to be a seasoned fundraiser—but you do need to bring passion, strategic thinking, and a desire to use your skills to support transformational change.
We're particularly keen to hear from candidates who:
- Live locally or have strong connections to the communities we serve
- Have professional expertise in business, finance, philanthropy, or communications
- Can champion our work and help expand our reach and influence
- Reflect the diversity of our communities, especially individuals from Black, Asian and global majority backgrounds, those living with disabilities, or across a broad age range
What’s In It for You?
Make a Lasting Impact – Help shape how we care for patients, families, and NHS staff.
Grow Strategically – Influence a growing charity with ambitious goals and strong leadership.
Develop Your Skills – Enhance your governance, leadership and strategic thinking.
Join a Passionate Team – Be part of a warm, supportive and committed Board of Trustees.
Time Commitment
- 4x Board meetings per year (in person, Tooting)
- 4x Fundraising Sub-Committee meetings (online)
- 1x annual strategy day
- Occasional attendance at fundraising events or activities
About Us
St George’s Hospital Charity funds projects that go beyond the NHS—enhancing care, supporting staff wellbeing, and funding cutting-edge research and equipment. We support St George’s Hospital in Tooting, Queen Mary’s Hospital in Roehampton, and community services across South West London.
Recent milestones include our largest-ever appeal, Time for a Change, to transform children’s services and our continued investment in the arts, wellbeing and mental health support for NHS staff. Read more about our impact: Reports and Financial Statements - St George's Hospital Charity
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
South West London Law Centres (SWLLC) is an independent registered charity providing specialised legal advice and assistance covering Wandsworth, Merton, Croydon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Richmond-upon-Thames and Sutton in South West London.
Our vision is a future where people who cannot afford a lawyer:
- Have equal access to assert and enforce their rights;
- Are empowered to benefit from everything a healthy society has to offer;
- Are treated equally with dignity and respect.
You will play a critical role in helping SWLLC to grow and prosper. If you have a passion for access to justice and believe that you can improve the impact the SWLLC can make, then we look forward to hearing from you.
What will you be doing?
Our previous chair stood down after an extended term of 6 years. They helped oversee the law centre during the pandemic and its aftermath during which we have seen the law centre continue to flourish in a very challenging environment. We are looking for a new chair who believes in what we do and is prepared to lead and act as an ambassador for the charitable trust so that we can continue to do this work. We currently have a strong trustee board of varying skills and tenures and the day to day management of the law centre is delegated to a small team. This team is small for what the law centre is trying to achieve. We need you to bring your expertise, energy and networks to the law centre. The role isn't glamorous, it's unpaid, and it's sometimes unacknowledged, but it is rewarding. You will play a critical role in helping SWLLC to support over 6,000 people a year, who would not otherwise have access to legal advice. We are very proud of the impact that we have had over the last 50 years, and continue to have. SWLLC continues to operate in a challenging environment, the work of the law centre is regulated and audited by a number of external bodies, our finances continued to be challenged by static legal aid, grants and donations, despite this we have continued to flourish, but the need for our services is greater than we can provide. The main areas that our trustees board can support alongside the role of governance of the law centre are:
- Finance
- Fundraising
- Human Resources
- Communications and Marketing
- IT and facilities
- Community Engagement and Community Activism
Time commitment:
6 Board meetings per year. Take place through a mixture of in person and online meetings in the evenings (usually midweek between 6pm – 7:30pm). The Chair will also need to have regular meetings with the Chief Executive, and Senior Management Team outside of these regular board meetings. Such meetings will typically be brief, online and arranged at a mutually convenient time. The Chair will also need to represent the Charity at various events and meetings with key stakeholders. Our head office is based in Croydon with other offices in Clapham Junction and Morden. We expect the role to take around 1 -2 days per month.
What are we looking for?
Principal responsibilities:
Strategic leadership
- Act as representative of the whole board and not its defacto head
- Provide leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring that the Charity has maximum impact for its beneficiaries
Governance
- Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for the Charity
External Relations
- Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity in partnership with the CEO
Efficiency and effectiveness
- Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process
- Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Charity and that the Board takes collective ownership
Relationship with the Chief Executive and the Senior Management Team
- Establish and build a strong, effective, supporting and a constructive working relationship with the Chief Executive, ensuring s/he is held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives
Personal Qualities:
- Personal gravitas to lead a significant organisation demonstrating a strong and visible passion and commitment to the law centre, its strategic objectives and cause
- Exhibit strong inter-personal and relationship building abilities and be comfortable in an ambassadorial role
- Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively
- Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the law centre
- Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment
- Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours
Experience:
- Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
- Successful track record of achievement through their career
- Experience of external representation, delivering presentations and managing stakeholders
- Significant experience of chairing meetings and events Knowledge and skills
- Broad knowledge and understanding of the legal sector and current issues affecting it
- Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together
- Good understanding of charity governance and finance issues Terms The charity’s Chair (and board members) will serve a four-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term.
What difference will you make?
The impact the Chair will have is to ensure the continuation of the law centres' successful mission
Law Centres are community-led, not-for-profit organisations that help local people to understand and enforce their legal rights. Their services are free, and they attempt to target the people who most need them – people who are at risk of discrimination and ill-treatment and those who are least able to protect themselves, for example because they lack the money to hire someone with legal expertise to help them. We are currently celebrating our 50th year. SWLLC s is one of the larger Law Centre in Great Britain covering six London boroughs – Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth. Our catchment area covers 1.7 million people. We now operate from 3 branch offices. We help over 6,000 people each year with a face to face service covering 3 broad services.
- Expert casework and representation in the social welfare law covering community care, debt, employment, housing, immigration/asylum, public law, welfare rights and cost of living support
- Emergency representation as part of the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme
- Pro Bono Clinics
Amongst the results we achieve that make us proud of what we do are:
- the prevention of homelessness
- the prevention and reduction of poverty
- the protection of family life by reuniting people living in the UK with those living abroad
- the prevention of torture and death beyond our borders by the provision of advice and representation to people fleeing persecution
- the prevention of ill-health by successfully challenging unfit living conditions
- the prevention of mental ill-health by assisting people to deal with their personal debts
Before you apply
If you would like an initial discussion before putting in your application please message through the Reach Volunteering Platform and Senior Management Team will be on contact to further discuss the role and the opportunity. A panel of trustees and senior management team will review your application. If we consider that your skills and experience are a good fit with the Law Centre, you will be invited for an informal discussion with the panel about our work and the trustee role. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and we encourage early submissions.
Saferworld is an independent international organisation working to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. We work with people affected by conflict to improve their safety and sense of security, and conduct wider research and analysis. We use this evidence and learning to improve local, national and international policies and practices that can help build lasting peace. Our priority is people – we believe in a world where everyone can lead peaceful, fulfilling lives, free from fear and insecurity. We are a not-for-profit organisation operational in 12 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Saferworld is currently looking for a new Chair of the Board of Trustees. This role will be responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of Saferworld, ensuring the organisation’s aims, objectives, and goals align with its governing document, as well as legal and regulatory guidelines. The ideal candidate should have a broad understanding of the charity sector as well as an understanding of how charities operate in a local context – often operating effectively in extremely challenging environments. An understanding of the UK charity context would be helpful but is not crucial.
The Board is currently reviewing different governance models, including the possibility of a Chair/Vice Chair structure. While this model is still under consideration, it would involve clearly defined roles and responsibilities, helping to balance the workload and bring diverse perspectives to the Board’s leadership. The incoming Chair should be adaptable and open to these ongoing discussions, and play a key role in shaping and refining the governance structure to ensure it aligns effectively with Saferworld’s needs.
We are interested in hearing from individuals who share our values, possess the capacity for independent and creative thinking, and bring strong leadership, relevant competence and experience to our governing body. Whether you are an experienced Chair or wanting to take your first step at senior Board level, we still want to hear from you.
Please download the recruitment pack for more information on how to apply to be the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Closing date: 11 May 2025
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.