Chair of the Board of Trustees

Flourishing Lives is the only London-wide body dedicated to older people, the arts and wellbeing and we are looking for an enthusiastic Chair to help take the work forward. 

We are a coalition of over 600 arts, health and wellbeing organisations and older people’s groups working collaboratively to champion positive ageing, amplify the voices of older people and empower people over the age of 55 to lead richer, more independent lives. We help transform the lives of older people, by promoting community, expression, access and lifelong learning through engagement with the arts.

Launching as a project in 2016 before becoming an independent charity in 2021 with a core team of two members of staff and a board of four trustees, Flourishing Lives has been shaped by the communities it serves. The broad programme includes providing training and development through workshops, forums and resources in intergenerational, inclusive, reflective and best practice. Through sharing knowledge, supporting practitioners and advocating positive ageing, Flourishing Lives strives to ensure that London is a great place to age creatively.

About the role

Over the last 6 months, work has been underway to shape our new strategy and we are excited to be heading towards 2025 with a bold and ambitious plan for the next 5 years. Flourishing Lives is looking for a Chair to share in this excitement and support a dedicated board and staff as the team looks to this next phase of work.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for exploring growth and strategic development and would be ideal for anyone passionate about arts and ageing in London. The Chair will work with the existing board and Flourishing Lives’ staff to uphold the organisation’s mission and values, providing inclusive leadership and effective governance of the organisation to ensure Flourishing Lives fulfils its potential.

Person Specification:

Please note: We know that valuable experience can come from any number of sources which may not be described here, if you are interested in the role and would like to find out more, please get in touch. Details below.

Essential          

•                    Demonstrate passion and commitment to Flourishing Lives, its strategic objectives and cause,

•                    Governance experience; either as a chair or as a member of a board of directors/trustees/governors etc.,

•                    Experience or demonstrable understanding of fundraising and income generation,

•                    Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment.

Desirable

•                    Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of Flourishing Lives.

•                    Financial management expertise and/or a broad understanding of finance issues affecting a charity.

•                    Good understanding of legal issues affecting charities and their governance.

Principal Responsibilities

Strategic leadership

• Provide leadership to Flourishing Lives and its board, ensuring that the organisation has maximum impact for its beneficiaries.

• Ensure that the board provides a clear strategic direction for Flourishing Lives to amplify the relationship between the arts, ageing and combatting ageism.

• Establish and build a strong, effective and a constructive working relationship with the Flourishing Lives staff, ensuring they are supported to achieve agreed strategic objectives.

• Liaise between meetings with the Flourishing Lives staff to maintain an overview of the strategy, governance, finance and quality of Flourishing Lives’ work.

Governance

·        Chair meetings of the board effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process.

·        Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for Flourishing Lives.

·        Develop the knowledge and capability of the board.

·        Ensure that the board reflects on the balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead the organisation effectively and take action when necessary.

·        Approve the annual cycle of the board meetings, meeting agendas, chair and facilitate meetings, monitor decisions taken at meetings and ensure they are implemented.

The above list is indicative only and not exhaustive. The Chair of the Board will be expected to perform all such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role. Additional support and training is available to all our trustees.