Chair of Trustees
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire
Voluntary role | Buckinghamshire
Are you a well-connected leader in Buckinghamshire with the energy and ambition to help a respected local charity grow its impact?
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire is seeking an exceptional individual to become our next Chair of Trustees.
About Us
We are part of the national Citizens Advice network, providing free, confidential and impartial advice to thousands of people each year across Buckinghamshire. We have offices in Aylesbury, Buckingham, High Wycombe and Chesham.
Our work helps people resolve problems around debt, housing, employment, benefits and consumer rights, often preventing crises, reducing pressure on public services and enabling individuals to regain stability and independence.
The organisation is stable, well-managed and ambitious. Following reductions in statutory funding and changes across the national network, we are now focused on strengthening income streams, raising our local profile and entering a new phase of growth.
The Opportunity
It is an opportunity to build on strong foundations and take the organisation forward.
As Chair, you will:
• Provide strategic leadership to the Board of Trustees.
• Help strengthen funding and sustainability.
• Raise the profile of Citizens Advice across Buckinghamshire.
• Represent the organisation with funders, partners and the wider community.
• Champion the difference we make to people’s lives.
We are particularly interested in candidates who live in, or have strong knowledge and networks within Buckinghamshire (ideally central or south).
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking someone who brings:
• Strategic leadership experience (board or senior executive level).
• The confidence to support and constructively challenge a CEO.
• Strong networking skills and credibility locally.
• Commercial awareness and financial literacy.
• An interest in fundraising and partnership development.
• A genuine commitment to community impact.
Prior Chair experience is welcome but not essential. Energy, judgement and the ability to build relationships are key.
Time Commitment
• Four face-to-face Board meetings per year (2 hours each).
• Four subcommittee meetings per subcommittee annually Finance & Risk, Operations, People, and Fundraising).
• Annual strategy Away Day.
• Annual Staff & Volunteers Day.
• Attendance at selected fundraising and stakeholder events.
• Approximate commitment: 2 -4 days per month.
Why This Role Matters
Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire helps people solve problems that, left unaddressed, cost families, councils and government far more in the long term.
As Chair, you will help ensure this essential service continues to thrive, supporting residents to become more financially secure, resilient and able to contribute fully to society.
For more information and how to apply download the Appointment Brief.
Closing date: 9am Friday 11 September 2026
Join us in shaping the next chapter of Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire.
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
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This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
What does it look like to Chair a charity at a pivotal moment of change?
Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS) is an established infrastructure charity supporting, connecting and championing voluntary and community organisations across North Somerset and beyond.
With a strong local reputation and a clear ambition for the future, VANS plays a vital role in strengthening communities by bringing organisations together, amplifying collective voice, and enabling others to deliver impact.
Now, at an important point in its development, the organisation is focused on building on its strengths, refining how it works, and positioning itself to be futureproof. We’re looking for a new Chair to lead the charity into its next phase.
Location: Based in North Somerset working across the South West and beyond
Remuneration: Voluntary, with expenses covered
Time commitment:Governance commitment supported by a Vice-Chair. Currently, 4 Board meetings and 2 Development days per annum, 3-4 Governance group meetings, regular meetings with the CEO, as well as ad-hoc meetings, preparation and urgent matters arising.
About the opportunity
This is a Chair role with real scope to shape both direction and approach. You’ll work alongside a committed Board and Chief Executive to provide strategic leadership, focus on achieving growth, and building a high-performing team and organisation as it continues to evolve.
As Chair, you’ll play a key role in:
- Keeping the Board focused, effective and forward‑looking
- Providing support and constructive challenge to the Chief Executive
- Ensuring clear governance, decision-making, and delivery
About you
We’re open to different backgrounds and pathways into this role. You may already be a Chair, or an experienced trustee or senior leader ready to be one. What matters most is your ability to provide confident, thoughtful and effective leadership.
We’re particularly interested in people who can:
- Operate at a senior strategic level and see the bigger picture
- Build strong, effective relationships across a Board and executive team
- Balance support and challenge in a constructive way
- Bring a level of commercial awareness and focus on sustainability
Experience of the voluntary sector, health or place‑based working would be valuable, but it’s not essential if you can quickly build that understanding.
Why this role matters
VANS has laid solid foundations under the previous Chair’s tenure, with a strong local reputation, passionate people and now gathering momentum.
The next Chair will play an important role in ensuring the organisation is:
· Strategically-focussed, well governed and meets its goals
· Investing in building VANS and financially resilient
- Ready to grow its impact across North Somerset and beyond
This is a unique and special opportunity to meaningfully contribute to an organisation at the heart of community life.
How to apply
A CV or short profile is a great first step. We’d also welcome an informal conversation if you’d prefer to ask some questions first.
Amelia Lee at Charity People is leading this search.
Deadline: As this role has been advertised previously, we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. If you feel this approach disadvantages you in any way at all, please get in touch with Amelia, who will ensure you are given full and fair consideration and do not miss out.
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
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