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.
Thank you!
Location: Worldwide
Term: Voluntary – Unpaid (reasonable travel expenses can be claimed)
Closing date: Friday 2nd October 2026
Inspired by the Islamic faith and guided by our values, we envisage a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled, and people respond as one to the suffering of others.
We provide lasting routes out of poverty, empowering people to transform their lives and serving all communities without prejudice.
As an independent faith-based humanitarian and development organisation, Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) has been serving humanity for over 40 years. With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for the three billion people still living in poverty.
Since we were founded in 1984, Islamic Relief has grown into one of the world’s largest relief and development charities, touching the lives of over 120 million people.
Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is seeking to appoint additional independent members to join our International General Assembly (IGA).
Following appointment to the IGA, independent members are eligible for nomination to the BoT after 1 year as an IGA independent member.
Appointments on the BoT are for a 4-year term limit.
The IGA is the highest body of the new Islamic Relief Worldwide governance structure and consists mainly of representatives elected by Islamic Relief family members across five continents, creating a body that is truly globally representative. It is from the IGA that IRW draws its trustees.
We would like to hear from exceptional applicants with considerable experience and specialist knowledge in a range of professional backgrounds: law, accountancy, audit, humanitarian programming, PR/communications, marketing or fundraising, IT, charity financial policy and strategy, shariah compliance. Those selected will play a vital role in IRW’s strategic work and in helping us respond to key challenges.
As a member of the IGA, it is expected you will be fully committed to the organisational objectives of IRW, sharing our vision, mission and values. You will be expected to attend meetings and be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to the role and to act in the best interest of IRW’s work and its rightsholders.
The Role
Key responsibilities:
- Participate in the oversight of the organisation in accordance with its statutory obligations, making sure that IRW satisfies its regulatory and legal requirements as a charity
- Act in a manner which supports the organisation in meeting aims and objectives as set out in IRW governing documents and in ensuring IRW long-term security
- Focus on strategic planning and governance when setting IRW priorities and objectives
- Participate in the approval of annual plans, strategies and budgets
- Support the financial stability of the charity and contribute to its effective and efficient administration, reviewing and approving financial strategies and monitoring income and expenditure, to ensure the organisation is in good financial health
- Promote IRW’s vision, mission and values and demonstrate IRW’s values in all of the IGA’s work.
About You
We are seeking exceptional candidates with a breadth of leadership experience who can enhance the strategic development of IRW and have the following skills and qualities:
- A deep commitment and passion for IRW’s faith-inspired values, vision and mission
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
- Considerable professional experience and specialist knowledge in one or more of the following – law, accountancy, audit, humanitarian programming, PR/communications, marketing or fundraising, IT, charity financial policy and strategy, shariah compliance
- Strategic vision and critical thinking skills
- Skills in problem solving and conflict resolution
- Legislative and operating framework for charities/voluntary and community sector organisations, especially an understanding of Charity Commission requirements
- A good understanding of the context IRW operates within
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; enjoys teamwork
- Willing to be an ambassador for IRW
- Demonstrates past public conduct, statements and behaviour that are in line with IRW’s values and expectations of the role
If you are interested in this role, please review the information pack before applying.
How to apply:
To make your application for the IGA position, please send a current CV and cover letter.
The deadline for applications is Friday, 2nd October 2026
PLEASE NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted.
If you are interested in these roles, please review the information pack before applying.
How to apply:
To make your application for the IGA position, please send a current CV and cover letter to the address within this application.
The deadline for applications is: Friday 2nd October 2026
PLEASE NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Registered Charity
101 - 500
Islamic Relief is a faith-based relief and development agency working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank 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!
***Please note: this is not an internship***
Role Purpose:
Trustees provide strategic leadership, ensuring that St. George's Crypt fulfils its charitable objectives, makes a postive impact in the Leeds community, and remains financially sustainable. Trustees act collectively to safeguard the charity's values, reputation, and long-term effectiveness.
Key Responsibilities:
Governance & Strategic Leadership
- set and review the charity's strategic direction in alignment with its mission to support homeless and vulnerable individuals in Leeds
- ensure that all activiites deliver public benefit and comply with charity law, the governing document, and regulatory expectations
- monitor risks and ensure that robust governance structures are in place
- support and review the work of the Head of Finance and finance team
- oversee the external audit process, from appointment of auditors to implementation of any recommendations
Financial Oversight:
- oversee financial performance, ensuring funds are used responsibly and transparently in line with donor expectations and regulatory requirements
- review budgets, annual accounts, and financial policies, ensuring sustainability of services such as emergency shelter, addiction recovery programmes and meal supervision
- ensure effective oversight of the Crypt's financial affairs and its financial viability
Support for Senior Leadership
- provide guidance and constructive challenge to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team
- ensure leadership decisions reflect the charity's values and strategic propositions
Advocacy & Representation
- act as an ambassador for St. George's Crypt within Leeds and beyond, promoting awareness of its services and impact
- represent the charity's values of compassion, dignity and hope
Compliance & Accountability
- ensure the charity meets all legal and regulatory obligations, including those set by the Charity Commission
- uphold confidentiality, ethics, and good governance practice at all times
- ensure the Crypt fulfils its mission and values, taking advantage of new opportunities and navigating challenges and managing risks appropriately
- ensure the Crypt has sound financial policies, controls and governance in place, and complies with these
Monitoring Impact
- evaluate the effectiveness of programmes such as residential support, training opportunities, and health and wellbeing initiatives
- ensure all services remain responsive to the needs of homeless and vulnerable people in Leeds
- give clear strategic direction, setting overall policy and goals, and monitoring progress and impact
- understand the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) and provide guidance on accounting and financial reporting for the charity
How to apply
To make an application, please:
- download our Finance Trustee application pack
- complete application form
- send CV
- contact Martin Barry
Recruitment timeline
Closing date: Monday 28 September2026
Shortlisting & Interviews: October 2026
Please download Finance Trustee application pack and application form
Submit with CV to Martin Barry
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.