Actively Interviewing
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!
Dorothy House is seeking an exceptional and inspirational leader to join its Board of Trustees with the intention of becoming the charity's next Chair.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced board leader to help shape the future of hospice and end-of-life care, providing strategic leadership, strong governance and influential external advocacy for one of the region's leading hospices. We are looking for an individual with the vision, credibility and commitment to support Dorothy House through its next phase of development and ensure it continues to deliver outstanding care and support for people and families at some of the most important moments in their lives.
As a Trustee and prospective Chair, you will help lead the Board in setting the organisation's long-term direction, ensuring effective governance, financial sustainability and organisational resilience. You will bring the ability to think strategically, navigate complexity, build strong relationships and act as an authentic ambassador for Dorothy House across a wide range of stakeholders and partners.
About the Role (Unremunerated Volunteer Position)
We are seeking someone who can demonstrate:
- Significant board-level leadership experience as a Chair, Trustee, Non-Executive Director or equivalent.
- Experience chairing boards, committees or senior decision-making forums.
- Support to the organisation in anticipating and responding to changing patterns of need, demographic trends, health inequalities, workforce challenges, technological developments and evolving models of care
- Visionary leadership with the ability to anticipate future opportunities and challenges, inspire innovation and shape long-term organisational sustainability.
- Strong understanding of governance, fiduciary responsibilities, risk management and organisational performance.
- Experience contributing to the development and oversight of organisational strategy.
- Experience leading or supporting organisations through change, growth or transformation.
- Ability to build effective relationships with Chief Executives and senior leaders, providing both support and constructive challenge.
- Outstanding communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
- A track record as an ambassador, advocate and relationship-builder.
- A genuine commitment to Dorothy House's mission, values and the provision of exceptional end-of-life care
Appointment Process While this recruitment process is being undertaken with the intention of identifying Dorothy House's next Chair, appointment as Chair cannot take place until the individual has first been appointed as a Trustee. Subject to the Board's decision and the provisions of the Articles of Association, appointment as Chair may take place immediately following appointment as a Trustee.
Why Join Dorothy House? This is an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to a highly respected and ambitious organisation. As Chair, you will help shape the future of hospice care, strengthen Dorothy House's influence and impact, and ensure the organisation remains sustainable, innovative and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.
Appointment Details The trustee term is 3 years, renewable up to a maximum of 9 years (3 x 3-year terms). The Chair serves up to 2 terms only. The time commitment for a Chair of Trustees can be up to 1 day a week. Training in the responsibilities of charity trustees will be provided.
Closing Date: Thursday 8 October
Interviews: Thursday 12 November
Registered Charity 
101 - 500
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
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!
🧡 We're looking for new trustees to help end child slavery in Nepal
Today, there are over 40 million slaves globally – a quarter of whom are children. In Nepal alone, we estimate almost 100,000 children are trapped in hazardous, exploitative labour.
Child Rescue Nepal exists to change that. We rescue children, keep them safe and reunite them with their families – and we've already helped over 1,000 children find their way home. But there's so much more to do, and we want you to help us do it.
We're building our board's experience base and are particularly keen to hear from people with skills in:
🔹 HR
🔹 Strategy and governance
🔹 International development
🔹 Knowledge or lived experience of Nepal
You don't need to have been a charity trustee before. The skills and qualities matter more than prior governance experience, and we'll give you full induction and training to get you up to speed.
Here's what one former trustee has to say about the role:
"I have learnt so much from my experience on both a personal and professional level and have felt my contributions were welcomed and valued. I really feel privileged to have been able to be part of CRN and have the opportunities to work in Nepal, and the children will always have a special place in my heart." — Sue Payne, retired social worker and trustee for four years
🌏 This is a voluntary role with real impact – a chance to bring your skills to a small, focused charity making a genuine difference in children's lives.
Applications close at the end of November 2026 – but we're reviewing and interviewing candidates on a rolling basis as they come in, so please don't wait until the deadline to apply. Applications are reviewed by the trustees, with shortlisted candidates invited to an informal interview with our Chair, David Westgate, via Zoom.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Inclusive Boards is delighted to be supporting Oaklea Trust in their search for their next Chair of Trustees.
About Oaklea Trust
The Oaklea Trust is a charitable organisation whose purpose is to give vulnerable people the opportunity to live and work as independently as possible within their community. Established in 2002 and based in Cumbria, County Durham and Northumberland, we support disabled, disadvantaged and vulnerable children and adults. Our charitable work supports people of all ages who have Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Mental Health needs, and/or Dementia.
The Oaklea Group is made up of the charity, Oaklea Trust, and its commercial arm, Right2Work. Together, they support people and communities to learn, develop and thrive through person-centred care and support, learning opportunities, and pathways into employment.
This is a unique opportunity to help lead a values-driven organisation that supports people and communities across the North of England to learn, develop and thrive.
About the Chair opportunity
As Chair, you will energise and empower the Board and the Group as a whole. You will foster a culture of openness, collaboration, and constructive debate. You will inspire confidence and ensure the highest standards of governance, integrity and accountability.
You will also help shape the Group’s future impact, supporting our mission to reduce inequality and create opportunities for people and communities to thrive. Through your strategic insight and advocacy, you will help extend our reach, strengthen partnerships and ensure more people can access the care, support and opportunities they need and deserve.
The Chair of the Oaklea Board of Trustees will:
- Ensure the Board functions effectively
- Guide Oaklea Trust’s strategic direction
- Ensure governance oversight
- Represent Oaklea Trust internally and externally
- Evaluate and support the Chief Executive
- Champion the leadership of Committees
We are seeking a new Chair of Trustees who can bring the following experience and capabilities to the role. We recognise that lived experience can offer valuable insights that greatly enhance a role like this, especially when combined with professional expertise.
Experience/Background:
- Experience of strategic leadership and governance within an organisation of equivalent size and complexity to Oaklea Trust, ideally within a Group structure.
- A track record of driving growth and innovation, with the ability to apply insight to support the achievement of Oaklea Trust’s strategic objectives.
- Understanding of the challenges associated with leading and delivering regulated services and the management of the associated risks.
- Ability to constructively challenge and hold space for compassionate and constructive conversations.
- Financial and commercial acumen, including experience in financial planning, oversight, risk management, and the establishment and monitoring of systems of control and accountability.
- Ability to scrutinise and manage financial risk, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and safeguarding against fraud.
- Ability to open doors, build networks and maximise opportunities with a range of stakeholders, funders and partner organisations.
- Previous trustee and/or Chair/Vice Chair experience is desirable.
