Chair of the Board of Trustees

Join Elleray Community Association as Chair and lead an exciting new chapter as we move into a new purpose-built centre in Teddington. Help shape strategy, support staff and volunteers, and expand our valued services for older adults and the wider community. We are seeking an inclusive leader with strategic vision, governance experience, and a passion for local impact.

Chair Role Description

•       Provide strategic leadership to the charity and the Board, ensuring that ECA achieves its mission.

•       Work in partnership with the Centre Manager and team to achieve ECA’s mission.

•       Lead the board in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation.

•       Optimise the relationship between the board and ECA’s staff and volunteers.

•       Plan and chair the board meetings and the AGM, with others as appropriate.

•       Act as a spokesperson and figurehead for ECA.  

What we are looking for  

•       Ideally previous experience of being a trustee. 

•       A keen sense of strategic purpose.

•       Governance and committee experience in a charity or business setting.

•       Strong in execution and managing transformation projects, including leading the charity in the new ECA building setting. 

•       Experience in stakeholder engagement and ability to constructively negotiate and collaborate with various institutions, entities, and personnel.  

•       Affinity with and commitment to the local SW London and Teddington area.

•       Business experience and awareness across finance, risk, IT, and people management, would be desirable.   

•       An inclusive leadership style, able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing. 

•       The ability to listen and engage effectively, comfortable with challenge and debate and able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment. 

•       In advocation, be able and willing to champion ECA’s work through personal networks, social media, and other channels.

•       A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. 

•       Be available, responsive and flexible to advise, support or give consent to, as needed.   

Terms of office  

•       Trustees are appointed for a 3-year term of office, renewal for 2 further terms to a maximum of 9 years.

•       This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.  

Time commitment 

•       Attending [6] Board meetings annually. Currently meetings are generally held in person at the ECA building.  

•       Periodic meetings with the Centre Manager and management team, with flexibility to respond swiftly to the occasional ad-hoc issues.

•       Other meetings, including on potential strategy and other charity-related issues.