Partnership volunteer roles

Start your board journey with Citizens Advice LeicesterShire

We are looking for a Board Associate to join our team. This is a unique, developmental role designed to give you firsthand experience of how a charity board operates while you build the skills and confidence to become a Trustee in the future.

Who We are:

Citizens Advice LeicesterShire is an independent and local non-profit organisation. Our purpose is “Sharing knowledge to transform lives”. By listening to the needs of our communities and clients, we act to provide accessible, high-quality information, advice and education to anyone who needs it. We empower individuals with the tools and support they need to build resilience and thrive. By working in partnership with national and local organisations, we’re able to advocate for a fairer society, amplifying the voices of those often unheard. We demonstrate and uphold our values: we care, we help, we excel and we challenge to achieve positive outcomes for the people we help. Last year we supported over 31,000 people across Leicester and Leicestershire, securing them £14 million in additional income.

What is a Board Associate?

Think of this as a “governance apprenticeship”. You won’t carry the legal liability of a Trustee just yet, but you will be right at the heart of the action.

You will work closely with our CEO, Chair and Trustees to support the smooth running of the board. Your role will involve:

• Supporting board effectiveness: Helping to arrange meetings, prepare agendas and keep accurate records of our decisions.
• Learning by doing: Observing board discussions, participating in strategic projects and understanding how we make decisions that affect thousands of people.
• Governance support: Helping ensure we meet our legal requirements and monitoring the implementation of board actions.

What we offer you

We don’t expect you to be an expert from day one. This role is about your growth. You will receive:

• Mentoring: Direct support from experienced board members.
• Board-level exposure: A rare opportunity to see inside the strategic engine room of a major local charity.
• Skill development: Build your experience in leadership, strategy, and governance—a huge asset for your CV.
• Training: We’ll help you learn about charity law and board procedures.

What we’re looking for

You don’t need previous board experience. We are looking for someone who is organised, eager to learn, and shares our values: We Care, We Help, We Excel, We Challenge.

You might be a great fit if you have:

• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• An interest in how charities or businesses are run.
• The ability to exercise good judgment and act independently.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, those with physical or mental health conditions, LGBT+ and non-binary people, and people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, as we want our leadership to reflect the diverse communities we serve.

Practical details

• Role Type: Volunteer (Non-Executive).

• Time Commitment: Approximately 3.5 hours every two months for board meetings (usually evenings), plus some additional time for prep or projects. We can be flexible.

• Location: Meetings are typically face-to-face in Leicestershire.

• Expenses: All reasonable out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed.

Closing date for applications: 1st March 2026

Planned date(s) for interviews: 23rd March 2026

To apply, please read our trustee information pack, full role description and complete the application form on our website.

Dancers’ Career Development (DCD) is the national charity that enables and empowers dancers to thrive professionally and personally leading up to and beyond their performance careers.

We are seeking a new Co-opted Committee Member with finance expertise and an interest in dance to join our welcoming and experienced Finance, Audit & Risk Sub-Committee of the Board of Trustees. Our ideal candidate will have a good understanding of the requirements of charity governance and risk.

For full details, including how to apply, please download the role information pack from our website. 

Application deadline: Monday 9 February 2026.

We are seeking someone who has experience of being a Treasurer or Finance, Audit & Risk Committee Member (preferably in the charity sector) and has a good understanding of the requirements of charity accounting and governance.

If you are excited by this opportunity and resonate with DCD’s values, please get in touch; we would love to hear from you.

RSPCA Oxfordshire Branch

Are you passionate about animal welfare? We are looking for an enthusiastic person who understands charity finance to support us in our mission to prevent cruelty, promote kindness and alleviate the suffering of animals.

Overview of the Branch Treasurer opportunity

We are looking for someone to volunteer as a Branch Treasurer for our OXFORDSHIRE Branch. This role would play a vital role in supporting the Branches affairs so that it is governed and managed effectively, whilst continually having animal welfare at the forefront of their mind.

As a minimum, trustees would generally attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 1-2 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether the trustee takes on additional duties.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824, we have been saving animals for over 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care and awareness of issues affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers, who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA OXFORDSHIRE Branch

The OXFORDSHIRE Branch was founded in 1875, we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by our Operations Manager and a team of volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The main activity of our branch is on rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals, we take in the animals the Inspectors rescue from cruelty and neglect, we provide them with the veterinary attention, love and care, then we find them loving new homes. We also to help members of the public with financial assistance for their animals for neutering, microchipping and unexpected veterinary fees

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Treasurer

• Implement and maintain sound financial systems.
• Take a lead role in ensuring the committee set annual financial budgets and plan the branch income and expenditure.
• Provide a written financial report for every branch meeting.
• Liaise with auditors/independent examiners regarding the production of the annual branch accounts and treasurer’s report.
• Maintain control of all bank accounts as authorised by the committee.
• Execute and operate branch committee financial decisions and act as branch co-signatory.
• Maintain control over all branch paying-in books and receipt books and to ensure their correct use.
• In the absence of a branch box secretary, to assume responsibility for the branch network of collection boxes.
• Arrange payment of the annual branch contribution to the appropriate RSPCA fund.
• Coordinate financial control of all branch fundraising activities.
• Make quarterly VAT returns to headquarters promptly.
• Ensure the production, monitoring and annual review of the branch’s financial risk management strategy following the charity commission’s requirements.
• Liaise with branch officers, Branch Partnership Managers and Branch finance coordinator on Financial affairs as necessary and alert them immediately to any possible difficulties or irregularities.
• Ensure the retention and safekeeping of the branch’s financial documentation for the appropriate time as set by the charity commission.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.
• Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.
• Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager, write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out your branch's short and long-term aims.
• Actively participate in branch committee meetings and attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.
• Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support local initiatives.
• Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

• We are particularly looking for someone who has knowledge and experience in finance, who may already understand charity finance.
• As a trustee, you would be able to dedicate the time to attend monthly committee meetings, which last approximately 3 hours.
• There will be additional volunteer duties between meetings, such as; providing financial reports at committee meetings, monitoring the budget that the trustees have set for the year, processing payments, querying invoices, VAT returns, and processing Gift Aid claims.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Treasurer

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff and any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that directly impact local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• To become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.
• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.
• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.
• References will also be required.

How to find out more about being a Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee and to ensure it is the right decision for you, we recommend reading the Charity Commission's guidance on the role of the trustee and the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees.

We have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

How to Apply:

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Please visit our website to learn more about what we do.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for the Oxfordfordshire Branch

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

Settled is recruiting new trustees to join its Board and support EU citizens and Ukrainian refugees to access their rights in the UK. This is a voluntary role, open to first-time trustees and those with board experience. We are particularly interested in skills relating to finance, fundraising, governance, or equity, diversity and inclusion, as well as lived experience. Meetings are mainly online, with one in-person away day per year. Closing date: 5pm, Monday 2 February 2026.

We are seeking a chair in waiting to join our board. If you have management or professional experience in the third, public or private sector, want to make a difference to people at risk of hunger or destitution, and share our values, we might have a role for you. 

What will you be doing?

We are seeking someone with experience working at a senior level within the voluntary, public or private sectors and experience of being on a board of trustees i to succeed the current chair who is retiring from the role in 2026. 

Our intention is that the person recruited spends some time shadowing the work of the chair and familiarising themselves with every aspect of the organisation before taking over the reins before the end of the calendar year. 

What are we looking for?

Our ideal candidate would demonstrate: 

• An understanding of, and commitment to, the work of foodbanks and tackling poverty.
• Senior management experience in the voluntary, public or private sectors, including the development, implementation and review of strategies/business plans.

• Experience of being a trustee within a voluntary or community organisation.

What difference will you make?

By supporting the governance of the food bank, you are part of a team that provides a vital service in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience for people in financial crisis and facing hunger.

Help shape the future of rural Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Cambridgeshire ACRE is seeking committed and capable individuals to join our Board of Trustees. As a trustee, you will provide strategic direction and governance and financial oversight, while ensuring that our well-established rural charity continues to respond to the needs of the people and the communities we serve.

We are particularly keen to hear from people with experience in finance, digital systems and cyber security, environmental management or rural housing. No previous trustee experience is needed, and we welcome applications from anyone who shares our purpose and brings a fresh perspective.

Trustees are required to attend five board meetings a year, contribute to one of our committees, and join our annual away day. Reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

For over a century we have supported rural communities. We are now delivering our 2025 - 2028 strategy to strengthen our role as a trusted voice across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Apply by: Monday 6 February 2026

Spare Tyre Theatre Company are recruiting voluntary non-executive board members with a passion for participatory theatre arts. New trustees will be joining us at an exciting time for the company, as we implement our next 3-5 year strategy; prepare for our 50th anniversary year in 2027; continue our year-round programme of creative participatory workshops; and develop two new touring productions: What Will Happen to the Cat? and Vanishing Point.

Spare Tyre is one of the UK’s leading participatory theatre companies. We are an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation and are an artist, disability and female led charity. We make inclusive arts and theatre productions, experiences and projects in arts venues and non-traditional arts spaces with people that are under-represented in arts, culture and society’s wider decision making. Built on nearly 50 years’ experience, our work is participatory, collaborative, immersive, taboo-busting and above all responsive to the passions and talents of the people who make it. 

We are recruiting 2 – 3 voluntary non-executive board members. We do not require trustees to have specific experience in the arts, and are seeking to increase the experience and diversity of our board, particularly in the areas of:

• Lived experience and/or a professional background working with people in the Care sector and/or people living with dementia and/or long-term health conditions

• Experience of, or a desire to, engage with inclusive working practices 

• Participatory arts practitioners

• Environmental responsibility

• Digital and social media

• Marketing and PR

• Understanding of publicly funded arts at a strategic level

Key Accountabilities of a Trustee are to:

• Act as ambassadors, champions and advocates for the organisation

• Approve strategic plans, budgets, annual accounts and policies

• Be willing to contribute your time and share your knowledge

• Provide advice and support for the Executive team

• Sit on committees and panels as required

• Engage in the fundraising strategy and development activities wherever possible

• Attend performances and other events by Spare Tyre and peer companies

• Understand the commitment required to join the Board

• Understand the legal requirements of being a charity Trustee: Gov UK have prepared some 5-minute guides for charity trustees that can be accessed here

Key Characteristics of a Spare Tyre Trustee are to:

• Promote and model Spare Tyre’s culture of inclusion, openness and collaboration

• Monitor and evaluate progress against targets and ACE Investment Principles

• Be passionate about the company’s work

• Be ready to challenge and provoke

• Be excited to promote an inclusive culture 

Bromley Arts Trust CIO Opportunity to join the Board of Trustees

Ready for a challenge? Good team player? Good at seeing the bigger picture ?

Consider joining our small Board of Trustees. The Board of Bromley Arts Trust is eager to expand the number of trustees and is looking for enthusiastic individuals with special skills and wide-ranging experience to enjoy finding solutions. Whether you are an experienced Trustee or are considering becoming one, we would like to hear from you.

If you have the time (estimated to average 2 to 3 days per month) to undertake this exciting role do complete the application pack and send this with your CV and covering letter to the Business Manager at Bromley Arts Trust.

YES is a registered charity supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and
young people in the Wycombe district. We are seeking a Trustee with legal expertise
to join our Board and help ensure strong governance, regulatory compliance, and
effective risk management.

This voluntary role offers the opportunity to use your knowledge to make a meaningful difference to young people’s lives.

About the Role

As a Trustee, you will share collective responsibility with your Board colleagues for the
governance and strategic direction of YES. As our Trustee with legal expertise, you will:

• Provide Board-level oversight on legal and regulatory matters
• Support the identification and management of legal risk
• Review key contracts, agreements, and governance documentation
• Advise the Board on relevant legal and policy developments

This is not a legal counsel role, but a strategic governance position. External legal advice will be sought where required.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has appropriate qualifications or substantial experience
• Understands (or is willing to learn) charity governance and regulation
• Can provide constructive challenge and clear advice to a Board
• Is committed to improving mental health outcomes for children and young people

We particularly welcome applications from people with diverse lived experience, including LGBTQ+ communities, global majority backgrounds, and lived experience of mental health challenges.
 

Volunteer Grant Officer

Southwark Tenants’ Federation – Grassroots Housing Advice Charity

Location: Southwark / Remote (hybrid available)
Time commitment: Flexible (approx. 4–8 hours per week)
Contract: Volunteer

About Us

We are a small grassroots charity based in Southwark and the only surviving tenants’ federation in London. For decades, we have supported tenants and residents to defend their housing rights, challenge poor conditions, and have a collective voice in decisions that affect their homes and communities.

Our social housing advice service supports people facing homelessness, disrepair, evictions, and housing management issues, with a strong focus on empowerment and tenant-led action.

The Role

We are seeking a Volunteer Grant Officer to help us secure funding to sustain and grow our vital work. This role is crucial to keeping an independent, tenant-led voice alive in London.

You will work closely with a small, committed team and help ensure our advice service remains accessible to local residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Research grant funding opportunities suitable for a grassroots, tenant-led organisation
• Draft and submit grant applications to trusts, foundations, and statutory funders
• Maintain a simple funding pipeline and track deadlines
• Work with staff and volunteers to gather service data, outcomes, and case studies
• Assist with basic funder monitoring and reporting

About You

Essential:

• Strong written communication skills
• Good organisational skills and reliability
• Commitment to social justice and housing rights

Desirable (but not essential):

• Experience of grant writing or fundraising
• Knowledge of social housing, tenant organisations, or advice services

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of social housing.

What We Offer

• Flexible volunteering hours
• Support, supervision, and guidance
• The opportunity to contribute to a unique and historic tenant-led organisation
• Experience in grant writing within the voluntary and housing sectors
• References provided where appropriate

Domestic abuse is always unacceptable. We support everyone affected by it and we act to prevent it. As Treasurer at Behind Closed Doors, you will work alongside our Trustee Board, CEO and Admin & Finance Manager to oversee the financial strategy of our organisation, ensuring sound financial governance and legal compliance. This is a pivotal role for our charity, helping to shape our future and support our vision: to build lives free from domestic abuse.

We’re looking for an experienced finance professional keen to undertake this rewarding voluntary role that ensures the financial health and accountability of Behind Closed Doors. You will be joining an established trustee board made up of dedicated, knowledgeable and supportive individuals. Please note that we are also currently recruiting to general trustee roles, find out more on our website.

Taking on a Trustee role is an excellent way to broaden your leadership experience and strengthen skills that you can then put to use in your core role, to the benefit of your career progression opportunities and the organisation that you work for.

As a Trustee, you will develop skills in:

• Strategic planning
• Governance
• Budgeting and financial analysis
• Risk management
• Chairing meetings

As you learn about a new organisation and potentially a new sector, you will also gain confidence in:

• Acting as a 'Critical Friend'; asking questions and providing support
• Experiencing the difference between a strategic role, and a hands-on operational role
• Absorbing and processing new information, and learning where you contribute value
• Finding your feet with a brand new team of people

Please download the recruitment pack for full details, including how to apply and who to contact for an informal discussion about the role and organisation.

As a board, we strive to be as diverse and representative as the communities we serve and would welcome those from underrepresented or marginalised groups. We also recognise hugely the value that lived experience brings to our board, so would welcome further representation in this area, but only when it is safe for you to engage with us in this way.

Behind Closed Doors is committed to improving inclusive recruitment practices. If you would prefer to apply for this position or express your interest in an alternative format (such as audio or video upload) or require any adaptions at this initial stage, please get in touch.

Behind Closed Doors is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A standard DBS disclosure will be required before taking up this position

Do you want to support the running of the charity that supports people in Berkshire’s hospitals?

Are you the person to develop and lead our business opportunities planning, alongside our existing trustees?

You could join the Board of the Friends of Berkshire Hospitals, a charity that improves the experience of patients, visitors, medical staff and others who work in the Royal Berkshire and Wokingham Hospitals.

Our charity grew from a Reading-only organisation set up in 1957, which itself grew from a charitable group in the 1940s. We’re now serving both Reading and Wokingham hospitals, and intend to expand our services and thus our charitable business even further: to better serve all those in the hospitals. Our expenditure in 2024 was £366k, and we have plans to expand our business and fundraising operations outside of hospital premises.

The role and what we are looking for in a new trustee

Trustees are the people who make the top-level decisions for our charity. Our Board includes people with experience and skills in the services we provide to those in hospitals, and we’d expect new trustees to have empathy with our cause and our beneficiaries. 

We are looking for experience of developing a business, not necessarily in the not-for-private-profit sector, identifying new opportunities and relationships, creating and implementing our new marketing strategy.

We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to join our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups. 

You don’t necessarily need prior experience of charity trusteeship, as full induction to our organisation will be provided, plus specialist support as a new trustee, including access to external training.

If you can think strategically and plan long-term, you have the primary skills needed by our trustees; you’ll also need to be able to work collectively with other Board members.

Trustees are not be expected to get involved in the organisation’s operations on a day-to-day basis; however, regular contact and liaison with other trustees and employees is expected.   

We ask for no more than ten  hours of your time per month, which includes all meetings, discussions, etc.  You will need access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business is run that way.

How to apply  

This appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, a charity-support organisation, who offer a no-obligation discussion by phone or video. A detailed Role Description and Skills Specification is available.

Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references.

Your CV or similar will be read by our existing trustees, and an interview offered as soon as mutually convenient.

I need to know more 

Contact Mike Allen via Apply Now, below, for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams or Zoom)  

The Fishermen's Mission is the only charity solely dedicated to supporting fishermen and their families (both active and retired) in the UK. Working closely with our maritime partners, our aim is to relieve despair or deprivation 

What will you be doing?

The Board of Trustees (The Council), consists of up to 15 Trustees. Today there are 10 Trustees with a variety of backgrounds and skills and we are seeking around 5 new Trustees.

The Fishermen’s Mission is ever keen to increase the diversity of The Council and is looking for potential Trustees with a range of skills and who come from differing walks of life each with their own unique life experiences to help bring direction and focus to the delivery of vital provision in fishing communities. 

The Council meets four times a year: twice ‘in person’ during the day and usually in London, and twice online. One sub-committee meets three times yearly and two others meet twice yearly (sub-committee business is also conducted online). 

The Council also seeks to meet once annually for an in-person ‘away day’ (afternoon session / overnight stay / morning session / disperse).

We welcome interest from Christian Ministers; fishermen and family members; those who have experienced our work; healthcare practitioners; those experienced in law; HR and governance and PR. 

What are we looking for?

The Fishermen’s Mission is an incorporated charity, meaning it is a registered charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee. The charity is directed by a Board known as the Council of Management (or ‘Council’) consisting of up to 15 Trustees. 

Trustees are also company directors and are responsible for the overall direction of the charity, the general control and management of the administration of a charity and to ensure that the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team delivers the charity’s services efficiently, effectively and legally.

Currently there are 10 Trustees with a variety of backgrounds and skills. The Fishermen’s Mission is ever keen to increase the diversity of the current board and is looking for potential Trustees with a range of skills and who come from differing walks of life each with their own unique life experiences to help bring direction and focus to the delivery of vital provision in fishing communities. 

Main responsibilities of Trustees. There are six main responsibilities of a Trustee:

1. Ensure the charity is conducting its purposes for the public benefit.
2. Compliance with the Charity’s governing document and the law.
3. Act in the charity’s best interests.
4. Manage the charity’s resources responsibly.
5. Act with reasonable care and skill.
6. Ensure the charity is accountable.

Trustees must have and accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of The Fishermen’s Mission, ensuring effective and efficient administration, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place and holding the Chief Executive to account when necessary. 

Trustees must ensure that the charity pursues its stated charitable objects, in compliance with the Articles of Association, establishing a clearly defined vision, set of values and strategy, ensuring that there is a common understanding of these by trustees, staff and associated personnel and evaluating output performance against agreed targets.

Trustees must ensure there are regular reviews of the environment in which the charity operates, identifying changes that might affect the way the charity operates - political, financial, demographic, competitive, partnerships, alliances.

Management of Resources. It is a Trustee’s legal duty to responsibly manage the resources and ensure the financial stability and solvency of The Fishermen’s Mission, including the proper investment of its funds. 

Personal conduct . It is a Trustee’s legal duty to act with reasonable care, skill and prudence in all matters relating to The Fishermen’s Mission. 

Conflict of interest . It a Trustee’s legal duty to act in the best interests of The Fishermen’s Mission. 

Minimum age. Trustees must be at least 16 years old.

Disqualification. You must not act as a trustee if you are disqualified under the Charities Act unless your disqualification has been waived by the Commission. 

Fit and proper persons. All trustees must be ‘fit and proper persons’.

Disclosure & Barring Service checks. The Fishermen’s Mission will conduct appropriate DBS checks.

Personal Qualities. Trustees will be committed to the values and goals of the charity including a commitment to equal opportunities and the active promotion of diversity across the charity. 

Professional skills. Trustees are expected to provide Council with knowledge, experience and skills from a wide range of areas.

What difference will you make?

Commercial fishing remains the most dangerous occupation in the British Isles. 

The Fishermen’s Mission is the only charity solely dedicated to providing emergency support alongside practical, financial, spiritual and emotional care for fishermen both active and retired and their families.

As a trustee, your passion will help support those members of one the UK's traditional industries. 

Lead with purpose as Chair of the Board of Governors at Scarborough Sixth Form College, helping to shape the future for young people and the wider community.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 23rd February 2026

Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire

Time commitment: c. 1 – 2 days per month

About Scarborough Sixth Form College

Set on the beautiful Yorkshire coast, Scarborough Sixth Form College is a thriving centre of post-16 education and ambition set in the heart of the North Yorkshire coast. With around 1,000 students and a modern, spacious campus, the College combines a supportive, inclusive environment with a strong focus on academic achievement, personal growth and future-ready skills.

Our mission is clear: to inspire and educate students so they fulfil their potential, enjoy successful careers and lead fulfilling lives grounded in ambition, integrity, respect and enjoyment; a mission which drives our staff to constantly strive for excellence.

At the heart of our strategy is a commitment to offering a broad, flexible curriculum that empowers students to design a programme tailored to their goals. Students can choose from a diverse range of A Levels, T Levels, Applied General qualifications and GCSEs, which they can mix and match to build a pathway bespoke to their aspirations. This curriculum breadth supports progression into top universities, apprenticeships or employment across a wide variety of sectors.

Scarborough Sixth Form College is a community with an outstanding culture of achievement and progression, continually evolving its offer to meet local and national needs while celebrating student success and aspiration at every turn. Our efforts across our wider delivery and support were recognised by Ofsted in our more recent inspection in 2023 where we were graded as ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ for the support we provide to learners with high needs.

About the role

With the current Chair, Rachel Dolby, stepping down after three successful years in the role, we are seeking to appoint a new Chair who can lead our board into the future and work with our leadership team, led by Phil Rumsey, to navigate the challenges and opportunities that will undoubtedly need to be faced in the years ahead.

The Chair of our Governing Body plays a pivotal leadership role at Scarborough Sixth Form College. In this role, you will provide strategic direction, help ensure robust governance and offer principled oversight to ensure the College fulfils its mission and statutory responsibilities.

Working in close partnership with both our Principal and Clerk, the Chair enables the Governing Body to operate effectively, ethically and collaboratively in the best interests of students, staff and the wider community.

Through strong leadership and constructive challenge, the Chair has a significant impact on the long-term sustainability, effectiveness and culture of the College. This is an influential role offering the opportunity to make a lasting difference to educational outcomes and opportunities for young people across the region.

Who we are looking for

You will bring the ability to think strategically, maintaining a clear focus on the College’s medium and long-term objectives and intervening constructively when focus or alignment is lost.

As an effective Chair, you will demonstrate strong judgement and a clear understanding of governance boundaries, respecting the distinct yet complementary roles of governors, the Principal and the senior leadership team.

Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills are essential, enabling you as Chair to lead meetings with confidence, guide discussion, encourage participation and ensure that debate remains focused on the issues that matter most.

The ideal candidate will be committed to ethical leadership, able to identify and address ethical dilemmas, manage ambiguity and challenge inappropriate pressure or behaviour. They will demonstrate resilience, confidence and integrity, maintaining their commitment in the face of challenge or opposition.

Experience of working in complex organisations and contributing to effective governance will be highly valued, alongside a commitment to continuous personal development and reflective practice.

Above all, the Chair will show a genuine empathy with, and understanding of, the ambitions and needs of young people, ensuring that student outcomes remain central to all strategic decision-making.

Whilst the postholder does not need to have experience of, or be an expert in, sixth form education, it is vital that they have a genuine passion for education, training and its impacts on local communities. Additionally, a strong relationship with Scarborough or a demonstrable understanding of the challenges faced by the local communities would be useful.

Applications are especially welcomed from individuals with backgrounds in finance, legal and audit. We will also welcome applications from those based across the breadth of the education sector, local charities and from within locally based businesses.

Peridot Partners and Scarborough Sixth Form College are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 23rd February 2026.