Trustee (Non‑Executive Board Member) – Mitie Foundation
Location: UK (meetings in person at The Shard, London)
Time commitment: Approximately 4 Board meetings per year plus occasional sub‑committee/ambassadorial commitments; preparation required for papers and strategic discussion
Term: Three years, renewable once (subject to Board agreement)
Start date: April 2026
The Mitie Foundation is looking for passionate and purpose‑driven Trustees to join its Board. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals who want to use their professional expertise to make a meaningful social impact and help people across the UK access brighter, more sustainable futures.
As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in guiding the Foundation’ as they enter new strategic phase, supporting inclusive employment programmes, and ensuring the charity delivers real, measurable change. You’ll collaborate with a committed Board, engage with senior leaders across Mitie, and contribute to initiatives that help people build confidence, develop skills and move into meaningful work.
Whether your background is in business, charity leadership, social value, finance, HR, community engagement or lived experience of overcoming employment barriers — your insights could influence national‑level social impact.
This is a rewarding, purpose‑led role where your contribution truly matters — helping to shape programmes, strengthen governance, and open doors for individuals who need it most.
About the Mitie Foundation
The Mitie Foundation is the independent charitable arm associated with Mitie Group which was established in 2013 to create meaningful, sustainable opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment.
The Foundation delivers programmes that improve employability, inclusion and opportunity for people facing barriers to work, collaborating with partners, communities and colleagues to create measurable social value.
Help shape a charity that unlocks potential, removes employment barriers, and creates life‑changing opportunities.
Purpose of the role
Trustees work collectively to ensure the Mitie Foundation is well governed, financially sound, and achieving its charitable purposes. The Board provides strategic direction, oversight and constructive challenge so the Foundation delivers meaningful social impact while operating with integrity and independence.
We are seeking Trustee’s within the following key areas to support and form the Mitie Foundation Board;
- Finance & Risk Trustee – bringing specialist financial governance expertise, oversight of risk management, and assurance in line with Charity Commission expectations.
- Trustee with Lived Experience – ensuring the views, needs, and realities of the communities we serve are represented at Trustee Board level. Anticipated to Chair a lived experience working group to provide insights and feedback to inform Foundation activities and support Foundation leadership and Governance.
- Campaigns & Events Trustee – providing expertise in public engagement, fundraising, and brand-led campaigns to support the Foundation’s growth and visibility. Anticipated to Chair a campaigns and engagement working group to provide insights and feedback to inform Foundation activities and support Foundation leadership and Governance.
- Inclusive Hiring Trustee – contributing specialist knowledge in fair-chance recruitment and employment pathways, supporting the Foundation’s commitment to inclusive hiring and social mobility. Anticipated to Chair a referral partner working group to provide insights and feedback to inform Foundation activities and support Foundation leadership and Governance.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy & governance: Shape and review the Foundation’s vision, mission and strategy; ensure alignment with charitable objects and Charity Commission guidance, uphold high standards of transparency and accountability.
- Oversight & assurance: Monitor performance against strategic priorities, outcomes and impact measures; approve budgets, management accounts and the statutory report and accounts; oversee risk management and ensure compliance with governing document, law and regulation.
- Executive support & challenge: Provide guidance and robust, respectful challenge to the Head of Foundation and team; maintain a clear distinction between governance and operations; participate in leadership appraisal/objective‑setting where appropriate.
- Representation & advocacy: Act as an ambassador for the Foundation within Mitie Group and externally; use professional networks to build partnerships and unlock opportunities for collaboration, funding or volunteering; protect and promote the Foundation’s independence and reputation.
- Conduct & integrity: Promote equality, diversity and inclusion across governance and programmes; uphold the Seven Nolan Principles of Public Life—selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Person specification
The Board seeks a balanced mix of skills and backgrounds; individual trustees will bring some (not all) of the following:
- Strategic or senior leadership experience in business, charity or public sector
- Charity governance and/or financial oversight
- Expertise in one or more of: HR, social value, finance, legal, ESG, communications, or programme delivery
- Ability to analyse complex information and contribute to sound, evidence‑based decisions
- Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to collaborative, inclusive Board culture
- A demonstrable passion for social impact, employability and inclusion aligned to our mission
Eligibility, standards and conflicts
- Candidates must be eligible to serve as a charity trustee under the Charities Act and willing to declare/ manage conflicts of interest, particularly given the Foundation’s corporate linkage.
- Appointment is subject to reference and other checks as appropriate to the role and the Foundation’s policies.
- Trustees are expected to prepare for meetings, attend regularly and contribute actively to collective decision‑making.
Remuneration and expenses
This is a non‑executive, pro‑bono trustee role. Reasonable expenses incurred in the course of duties will be reimbursed in line with policy.
How to apply
Please send your CV and a brief supporting statement (max two pages) outlining your motivation and how your experience aligns with the role Friday 7th February.
If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Rebecca Gray.
We are committed to building a Board that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Adjustments for the recruitment process will be provided on request.
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About Us
Cherry Trees is a charity. located in East Clandon (near Guildford, Surrey), providing home-from-home short breaks for children aged 0–19 with a range of complex disabilities, including learning, physical, and sensory impairments.
We are rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and care for more than 100 children and young people in a safe, stimulating, and fun environment. At Cherry Trees, we see the child first and the disability second, valuing every child for who they are. We are a dedicated community, enabling children to spend time with friends and enjoy new experiences while their families have a much-needed break from care.
It’s an exciting time to join Cherry Trees. We have recently recruited a new Head of Fundraising and Communications who will be building the team as we invest in a programme of service growth in conjunction with a new 5-year strategy which will be publicised in 2026.
What difference will you make?
Cherry Trees offers a lifeline to vulnerable children and their families. As a Trustee, you will play a key role in helping us to grow and develop and to enable us to continue to provide support and a critical lifeline to even more vulnerable children and their families in great need. Alongside a team of 8 trustees you will play a key role in ensuring we have the maximum impact we can for our community.
Role Description
The treasurer is an officer of the trustee board and not a paid worker. The role of the treasurer is to ensure that all the finances and the supporting financial control systems are kept in order.
Key objectives of the role:
- To provide strategic advice to the Trustees on financial matters as regards the operation and development of Cherry Trees within the direction set by the Chairman of the Trustees.
- To oversee the financial affairs of the Charity and ensure that they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice.
- To ensure that proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures are in place.
- To monitor and report on the financial health of the Charity.
- To oversee the production of necessary financial reports, returns, accounts and audits.
- The role requires active participation in board meetings and collaboration with fellow trustees and the executive team to support Cherry Trees’ mission.
- The will be a minimum of 8 board and committee meetings to attend
Principal Tasks
The responsibilities of the treasurer are essential for maintaining the financial stability and integrity of the charity, ensuring that it can continue to fulfil its mission and objectives. Specifically, these include:
Financial oversight
- Ensure that all financial records are accurate, up to date and compliant with legal and accounting standards.
- Ensure that effective financial procedures and controls are in place.
- Appraise the financial viability of plans, proposals and feasibility studies.
- Chair the Management and Finance Committee (M&F) quarterly, monitor performance against budgets and ensure that Capital Expenditure is properly controlled in line with the latest Capex Policy approved by the Trustees.
- Attend half-yearly meetings of the Investment Committee at which the Charity’s investment brokers report on their management of the Cherry Trees investments and measure performance against their benchmark.
- Liaise with the investment brokers as necessary to ensure that adequate liquidity (cash flow) is available and that Cherry Trees is able to meet its liabilities.
- Assist the trustees and management in ensuring that the financial reserves of Cherry Trees are maintained at an appropriate level.
Budget Management
- Oversee the production of the annual budget and propose its adoption by the board.
Financial reporting
- Work closely as necessary with the CEO and COO to appoint appropriate external auditors and to ensure that any audit recommendations are implemented in a timely manner.
- Oversee the production of necessary financial reports and accounts and present them, along with any audit recommendations, to the board.
Strategic advisory
- Provide strategic advice to the board on financial matters and help shape the charity's financial strategy.
- Work closely with the CEO and COO to ensure that a long-term financial strategy is in place, which can guide the organisation in achieving its objectives.
Board liaison
- Regularly report the financial position and ongoing financial viability of the charity at board meetings.
- Make fellow trustees aware of their financial obligations and take a lead in interpreting financial data.
- Assist the trustees in ensuring that appropriate steps are taken to manage financial risks that could impact significantly upon Cherry Trees.
Personal skills and qualities
- Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management.
- Good financial analysis skills with the ability to think about the future as well as the present.
- Strong working knowledge of Excel.
- Be methodical, organised and consistent.
- Ability to communicate clearly.
- Have a strong commitment to the organisation.
- Some experience or knowledge of charity finance, fundraising and pension schemes would be an advantage.
Qualifications
- Strong skills and experience in Financial Statements and Accounting
- Proficiency in Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
- An understanding of charitable organisations and nonprofit financial management is a plus
- Good communication and teamwork abilities
- A commitment to the vision and values of the Cherry Trees Charity
- Professional qualifications in accounting or finance are desirable
Safer Recruitment
Due to the vulnerability of our children and young adults, applicants will be required to complete a short application form and will require an Enhanced DBS check, which the charity will facilitate.
We help to keep families together by providing home from home care for children with complex disabilities and a meaningful break for the families.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.