Governance Volunteer Roles
ACEVO is the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, and we exist to help civil society leaders to make the biggest possible difference. For nearly 40 years we’ve been there to inspire and support our members by fostering connections, refining skills and building influence. ACEVO's network of over 1,700 individuals includes the leaders of every shape and size of civil society organisation and at every stage of the leadership journey.
More than a membership organisation, we are a strong, supportive community, and are often our members’ first port of call for help and advice from their peers.
Civil society is under greater pressure than ever before, from a range of sources, and we are proud that our response has been characterised by imagination and ambition. Our outgoing chair, Rosie Ferguson, has played a crucial role in strengthening and consolidating our position over the past few years, and as her term of office concludes she leaves a very strong legacy for her successor. But we also know that there’s no room for complacency, and we are looking for a new chair to take up the challenge of leading us into the next phase with energy, commitment and rigour.
Candidates will share our passionate commitment to the power of civil society, and our vision for extending and deepening our reach within the sector. A skilled governance practitioner, able to work effectively with an engaged and expert board and a high-performing executive team, you’ll have a nuanced understanding of our business model and of how we can build on the progress of recent years. You must be eligible for membership of ACEVO, and experience of leading within our sector is essential.
With a significant amount of external change likely to take place in the early stages of the next chair’s tenure, we will look for a track record of working with agility and strategic creativity. You’ll need to balance your professional expertise with personal humility and curiosity, and current, practical knowledge of our sector across England and Wales would be a significant asset. An exceptional communicator, and passionate about the benefits of membership, you’ll ensure ACEVO remains the go-to organisation for leaders, aspiring leaders and stakeholders alike.
Child . org is a data-driven charity working to champion perinatal health in Kenya, where neonatal mortality rates have barely changed in the last 5 years. We're seeking a new trustee to join us in driving our strategy forward.
What will you be doing?
Child . org is a data-driven charity working to champion perinatal health in Kenya, where neonatal mortality rates have barely changed in the last 5 years. We work with parents, communities and government in Kenya to provide life-saving antenatal and postnatal health information, connect at-risk mums and babies with the healthcare services they need and work with local health authorities to advocate for and improve the quality of perinatal care.
We’re a small but ambitious organisation. We have a small team who make a big impact. We pride ourselves on our core values and the culture we have built. Our team is split between Bristol in the UK and Nairobi and Meru in Kenya. Our board of Trustees are mostly based in the South West but also in London and the US.
We are currently launching our new strategy and as part of that, we want to broaden the skills and experience of our board. We are looking for people who are passionate about the work we do, who are able to provide support, share ideas and inspire our team and our work. It doesn’t matter where in the world you are; what matters is your drive, commitment to change and what you can bring to the table.
We are especially keen to broaden the demographic of our board and to gain more contextual insight of where we work. People with a connection to Kenya, particularly those working in or with experience of maternal and neonatal health, are strongly encouraged to apply.
What are we looking for?
- Willing to devote the necessary time and effort to being an effective Trustee (and Chairperson)
- Committed to our Vision, Approach, Values and Goals
- Leaders, with demonstrable skills and experience
- High emotional intelligence with a high level of self-awareness
- Strategic in their vision, with an understanding of strategic delivery
- Balanced with an informed approach to risk
- Passionate about maternal and neonatal health
- Understanding and accepting of the legal, financial, audit and other regulatory requirements of a charity
What difference will you make?
As a Child . org Trustee, you'll play a pivotal role in driving positive change and improving perinatal health outcomes in Kenya. You will contribute to shaping and executing the newly developed strategic vision of Child . org. You will contribute to risk management and decision-making processes, ensuring effective governance and sustainability. Through collaboration, mentorship, and engagement with staff, you'll contribute to building a stronger, more resilient organisation that continues to champion perinatal health for years to come.
Before you apply
As a first step, please send your CV and expression of interest which outlines why you think you could be a good fit for Child . org. If we agree that you could be, we will send you a short questionnaire and to arrange an informal interview with the chair of our board. Please send applications via Reach in the first instance.
The next stage will be a formal interview with multiple board members and the CEO. We expect to appoint later in the year, around October, if not before.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
KidsAid is a charity supporting children affected by trauma. We seek a Vice Chair to assist the Chair in providing leadership to the board, to ensure it operates within its charitable objectives, and with a clear strategic direction.
What will you be doing?
KidsAid is a child-centred charity. We focus on healing and empowerment for children affected by abuse, family breakdown, illness, and bereavement through to anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide.
The Vice Chair role includes oversight of a Theory of Change approach by the board, incorporating the responsibilities described below:1) Identify a Theory of Change approach and ensure board understanding, agreement and commitment.2) Assist the board to exercise oversight of the process, are engaged throughout, and support the decisions made.3) Ensure that Theory of Change is embedded within the organisation’s culture and practice from inception, throughout implementation, and informs strategic decisions.4) Ensure engagement with a wide range of perspectives to scrutinise how these can most effectively contribute towards change.5) In collaboration with the CEO, produce a Theory of Change output to reflect the critical thinking which has challenged KidsAid’s values, beliefs, and purpose.6) Assist the Chair in:
- Providing leadership to the charity and the board.
- Ensuring that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for effective governance.
- Ensuring board meetings are pre-planned and conducted effectively.
- Working with the Chair and CEO to ensure that sub-committees make effective and timely recommendations to the Board.
- Leading any sub-committees, teams, or working groups which may be created by the board.
- Reviewing the performance of the board, assisting with the appraisal of trustee performance, and leading on the appraisal of the Chair’s performance.
- The recruitment of new trustees.
- Representing the charity externally when the chair is unable to do so.
What are we looking for?
Person Specification
- At least three years’ experience at board level on a charity board, board of governors, or similar organisation. (E)
- Initiating and leading strategic change through co-production. (E)
- Engagement with joint partnerships or collaborative working with a variety of organisations.
- Available to engage with the role at least 8 hours weekly and attend face to face board meetings. (E)
- Chairing meetings at senior management team or board level. (E)
- Effective presentations and report writing. (E)
- Participating in, or leading teams. (E)
- Maintaining supportive relationships at a senior level. (E)
- Supportive of the vision and purposes of the charity. (E)
What difference will you make?
If you wish to make a long-term contribution to our community, we are your charity!Our aim is to safeguard children so that early life trauma does not become a lifelong burden, and manifest into more serious issues in the future. Your role as Vice Chair will be vital! You will work in collaboration with the CEO and Chair to lead trustees to shape, drive and monitor the organisations strategy. You will support the work of the Chair by providing leadership to the charity and the board, to ensure it operates within its charitable objectives, and with a clear strategic direction.
Before you apply
Please do apply to become a KidsAid trustee. Our mission is so worthwhile and your contribution to our board team will be greatly valued.Should you wish to discuss further, the CEO and Chair will be delighted to hear from you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
KidsAid is a charity supporting children affected by trauma. We seek a Standards & Compliance Lead to assist the board in establishing, and monitoring compliance with ethical, professional, and clinical standards.
What will you be doing?
KidsAid is a child-centred charity. We focus on healing and empowerment for children affected by abuse, family breakdown, illness, and bereavement through to anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide. Our Values
Role Description.
To lead the Standards and Compliance Subcommittee in providing oversight on behalf of the board in:
- Monitoring the experience of, and standard of service provided to, those who benefit from, or otherwise deal with KidsAid, and make recommendations for change where necessary.
- Ensuring compliance with ethical, professional, and Clinical standards relevant to KidsAid’s beneficiaries.
- Monitoring organisational culture, policies, and processes to maximise safeguarding of all for whom KidsAid are responsible.
- Monitoring and keeping under review the values of the board in the context of service delivery.
- Adopting, monitoring, and updating where necessary, a scheme of delegation.
- Overseeing the management of the risk register. Identifying new risks, assessing, monitoring, and mitigating existing risks, and escalating high-level risks to the Board.
- Monitoring and auditing compliance with all relevant legal obligations, including assessing the likely effect of proposed changes to the law.
- Monitoring, compliance with the charitable objects of KidsAid, the constitution, terms of reference of the board and sub committees, and making recommendations to the board where necessary.
- Reviewing alternative national quality accreditation schemes, and making recommendations to the board, monitoring progress in achieving any agreed scheme.
- Monitoring and auditing compliance with Contracts, and tendering processes.
- Maintaining an overview of Due Diligence assessments, whether applied internally or externally.
- Evaluating advisory Codes relevant to KidsAid and making recommendations to the board for change where necessary.
- Periodically review the Charity’s impact measuring, evaluation, and data.
- Ensure that our data capture systems are fit for purpose now and in the future.
What are we looking for?
We are seeking a Standards and Compliance Lead with the following qualities:
- An understanding of due diligence and charity standards.
- Analytical skills and the ability to interpret and work with a range of data and information and evaluate compliance.
- A willingness to be available to the CEO and staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis.
The lead trustee for standards and compliance will be responsible for the following duties in addition to the wider responsibilities of a trustee.
What difference will you make?
If you wish to make a long-term contribution to our community, we are your charity! Our aim is to safeguard children so that early life trauma does not become a lifelong burden, and manifest into more serious issues in the future. Your role as Standards & Compliance Lead will be vital! You will have a lead role in providing effective leadership and governance, and ensuring that KidsAid complies with its obligations as a charity.
Before you apply
Please do apply to become a KidsAid trustee. Our mission is so worthwhile and your contribution to our board team will be greatly valued. Should you wish to discuss further, the CEO and Chair will be delighted to hear from you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Can your skills and knowledge help us to grow? Then why not consider joining us. We specialise in supporting people with visual impairments and we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Board of Trustees.
What will you be doing?
As a member of the Board, you will play a vital role in steering and supporting New Outlook. The Board is responsible for providing strategic direction; ensuring we meet regulatory requirements; and overseeing the work of the staff team, thus ensuring New Outlook’s effective, efficient administration and financial stability.
You will be part of a Board team that will help to ensure:
Promoting and Protecting NEW OUTLOOK
- To act as custodian of NEW OUTLOOK’s values
- To ensure that the customers’ voice is heard in the decision-making process
- To monitor compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements
- To support and uphold the Code of Governance and the NHF Model Rules (2015)
- To be an ambassador for NEW OUTLOOK as appropriate
Setting Strategy
- To consider and, if appropriate, agree a vision for NEW OUTLOOK and a strategy to work towards that vision
- To assist the Executive Team in the setting of plans and strategies
- To support the work and the role of the Chair of the Board and the chairs of other Committees
- To support the work of the Group Chief Executive and all colleagues; constructively challenging proposals as appropriate
Managing Performance
- To agree key policies
- To take an individual and collective responsibility in monitoring performance against plans, budgets and decisions through regular critical appraisal of operational and financial information
- To ensure appropriate action is taken if expected standards of performance or results are not or are unlikely to be achieved
- To request further information or professional advice when required
Board meetings are held four times a year in Oldbury with two being longer ‘away day’ sessions and you may also be asked to join a Committee or time limited task group.
What are we looking for?
We are seeking to appoint people who can demonstrate a commitment to a high level of engagement and possess a range of experience ideally with a Social Care and Governance or experience as a Chartered Surveyor. We wish to have a wide range of people on the Board and are particularly keen to be representative of the diverse population in the West Midlands.
What difference will you make?
The role of Trustee is non-executive, providing a rewarding opportunity to use your expertise and experience to support and shape our future. We very much value all of our customers and you will have the opportunity to work with us, at all levels, as we seek to grow and develop the business.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is your opportunity to lead the board of an organisation striving to make space for stammering and create a world where stammering is just a difference, no one judges stammering or how people choose to deal with it. Join the board of STAMMA and work with a brilliant community.
- Location: Hybrid, virtual and in-person meetings in London and Manchester
Applications close on Monday 27th May.
Who we are.
STAMMA is a small, award-winning charity with big ambitions working with a brilliant community keen to create space and respect for people who stammer.
Many people who stammer face daily ignorance, discrimination and disrespect. This can affect job prospects and mental health and cause social isolation. It can make a GP appointment a nightmare, stop you from accessing a service altogether and leave you feeling disbelieved. STAMMA is here to change that.
We have embarked on a new three-year strategy – Space to Stammer, to achieve real and practical change for people who stammer and showcase the inadvertent barriers they face. We aim to create a culture where consideration for people who stammer is akin to checking for wheelchair access; it is something to be thought about when it comes to every day like oral exams, customer services, booking GP appointments, online banking, or even being a parliamentarian. Our campaigns are about changing perceptions and have been award-winning and life-changing, and include Make GP Bookings Accessible, It’s How We Talk, No Diversity without Disfluency and campaigning against the Apple suggestion of the Woozy face emoji when the word ‘stammering’ is typed.
We want to reach more people who stammer and grow our base but to do that, we need to expand our training and advocacy services and underpin our whole range of support services, hence, we need to build our income streams.
We believe we’re on the cusp of creating real and long-lasting change for people who stammer. With this, this is a great time to join and lead our board as Chair.
About the roles.
Our new Chair
As our previous Chair, Joanna Gaukroger, stepped down due to illness, we are looking for a new Chair to lead our Board. It is vital that our new Chair shares our passion for creating a world that makes space for stammering, where a stammer is embraced as just a difference, and no one judges a stammer or how someone deals with it. Our new Chair will bring governance experience, be commercial and drive our strategy with our Chief Executive to continue our organisation’s development, including ensuring sustainability. Our new Chair will be committed to making a meaningful impact, foster engagement and strategic thinking.
Our new Chair will work with our ambitious board and executive team to ensure our organisation continues to be innovative and sustainable and champions the rights of those we support. We envisage our Chair as an inclusive leader, ensuring all voices are heard. We must represent our diverse communities, and we support everyone; those who passionately believe there should be no need to hide or control their stammer as well as those who seek more fluent or smoother speech.
Our new Fundraising Trustee
In addition to our new Chair, we are looking for a new Trustee who will bring skills and experience in strategic fundraising. Our new Trustee will have senior leadership experience with fundraising experience, particularly around individual giving, corporate partnerships, and major donor fundraising. Our new Trustee will share our excitement and ambition for change. We are looking for someone who can support us build our fundraising strategies and provide sound advice and challenge.
Time Commitment
The Board meets 6 times a year including an annual general meeting and our national conference – STAMMAFest. Meetings are usually held on a Saturday for 2 – 3 hours online and 4 – 5 in person. 3 of these meetings typically take place online, and 3 can take place in person in different locations across England, including London and Manchester.
We also have several committees; Trustees usually join one sub-committee. Our committees include the Finance Committee, the Fundraising Committee, the Research Committee, and the Membership Committee. Our new Fundraising Trustee will join our Fundraising committee.
We expect the time commitment for the Chair to vary. On average, we would expect the equivalent of c.2 days a month, spread across various activities such as preparation for board meetings, reading board papers, regular conversation with the Chief Executive, ad hoc discussions with board members and the executive team, and attending events throughout the year. The time commitment of our Fundraising Trustee would be the equivalent of a day a month.
Please click 'Apply via website’ 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 on Monday 27th May.
Location: London / Online
£5,000 per annum, plus expenses
Quarterly Board Meetings take place in London in person, with the ability to join online for those unable to make an in-person meeting
The Innovation Unit is a dynamic, not for profit social enterprise. With an expert team and board we endeavour to grow and scale the boldest and best innovations, that deliver long term impact for people, address persistent inequalities and transform the systems around them.
We design and deliver innovation programmes that develop new ideas, working with local places, systems and partners to help adoption and adaptation to different contexts and different needs. We also pass on tools and techniques to inspire people to keep innovating, learning and iterating.
Collaboration is at the heart of our work. We value everyone’s lived experience, facilitate co-production and we help to reimagine and transform systems. Our approach is intersectional, and we share a core set of beliefs about enabling change that is owned and driven by the people it affects.
About the role
This role offers you the opportunity to sit together with people who are committed to using the power of social innovation to address the most persistent problems we face. The Board and executive have a strong sense of mission and are ambitious and focused on continuing to extend and amplify Innovation Unit’s impact.
Open, generative and productive, the Board brings together diverse experiences that contribute to rich conversations and offers high quality strategic advice, guidance and challenge. As Innovation Unit expands into current and new areas of work, we are looking for different experiences to continue to evolve our business model, deepen our impact and become more embedded in the systems that can affect change.
Who are we looking for?
We value all forms of diversity and thrive on new perspectives and constructive challenge, and we welcome individuals who are ambitious, optimistic and who are inspired to contribute to our future development. In particular we, are looking for individuals who have expertise in the following areas:
● Financial Strategy - IU starts 2024/25 in a strong financial position with a positive pipeline of contracts. We welcome someone who can analyse and understand our organisation through a strategic finance lens. Someone who is able to interrogate financial statements and reports to quickly identify core questions about organisational performance, priorities, and developments.
● Philanthropy and generating investment - we would welcome someone who has deep knowledge, strategic experience and credibility of generating investment from trusts and foundations. Expanding this aspect of our portfolio is central to our ability to drive, proactively, the change we want to see in the world.
● A ‘door opener’ - someone who can connect us and our work into public debate, thought leaders, and policy-makers - enabling us to contribute our learning to national conversations, as well as to our partners on the ground.
● Equity, diversity and inclusion - in the context of becoming an anti-racist organisation we are looking for someone who can offer strategic guidance and new perspectives on tackling inequalities within our organisation and through our work.
Please click 'Apply via website’ 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. Tuesday 28th May.
Join our passionate and committed board and help us continue providing high quality, innovative services to blind, visually impaired and those with profound disabilities across the West Midlands.
What will you be doing?
As the specialist fundraising trustee, you will play a pivotal role on the board of trustees in advancing the mission and objectives of our organisation. Your expertise in developing, implementing, and overseeing fundraising strategies and your commitment to improving the lives of adults with care and support needs will be crucial in securing the necessary financial resources.
Main Duties:
Fundraising Strategy: Provide expertise, advice and guidance in the development and implementation of our fundraising strategy.
Donor Engagement: Collaborate with the board and senior leadership team to develop and monitor the implementation of a comprehensive donor engagement plan that identifies and cultivates relationships with potential donors, sponsors, and partners who share our mission.
Grant Writing and Management: Provide expertise, advice, knowledge, and guidance regarding grant applications, work closely with the executive team to align grant proposals with organisational goals.
Fundraising Events: Contribute to the planning and execution of a community fundraising events program including mobilising volunteers and resources to ensure the success of these initiatives.
Major Gift Solicitation: Collaborate with the board and senior leadership to lead efforts to secure major gifts from high-net-worth individuals and corporate partners, leveraging your network and expertise in donor cultivation.
Online Fundraising: Provide oversight and guidance of our online fundraising campaigns, including crowdfunding, peer-to-peer fundraising and digital marketing initiatives. Monitor campaign performance and adapt strategies as needed.
Budget Oversight: Collaborate with the finance committee to develop and manage the fundraising budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and adherence to financial goals.
Compliance and Reporting: Ensure that Focus’s fundraising activities comply with legal requirements.
Advocacy and Public Relations: Act as an ambassador for Focus Birmingham advocating for the rights and needs of adults with disabilities. Assist in developing public relations strategies to raise awareness and support for the cause.
What are we looking for?
Strategic experience: Proven track record in fundraising at a senior level, with a deep understanding of various fundraising methods, including grants, major gifts, events, and online campaigns.
Passion for the Cause: A strong commitment to improving the lives of people with care and support needs and a deep empathy for the challenges they face.
Strong Networks in Birmingham: A skilled networker with strong networks in Birmingham and wider West Midlands area.
Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills to strategically assist with grant writing, donor communications, and public speaking engagements.
Financial Acumen: Familiarity with budgeting and financial management related to fundraising activities.
Legal and Ethical Awareness: Knowledge of fundraising regulations and ethical considerations in the non-profit sector.
Team Player: Willingness to work collaboratively with other trustees and staff to achieve common goals.
Time Commitment: Availability to prepare for and attend board meetings (4 per year), committee meetings (4 per year), and fundraising events and other meetings as required.
We are particularly keen to achieve a more diverse Board of Trustees and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.
What difference will you make?
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of people with care and support needs.
- Networking opportunities with like-minded individuals and organisations.
- Professional development and experience in non-profit governance and fundraising.
- The satisfaction of contributing to a passionate organisation dedicated to making lives better.
If you are a dedicated fundraising professional with a passion for making lives better, we invite you to apply for this vital trustee role. Your expertise will be instrumental in securing the resources needed to enhance the quality of life and opportunities for people with care and support needs in our community.
The Reach TrusteeWorks team are supporting Focus Birmingham with their Board recruitment. To apply please submit a CV and a supporting statement.
Interested volunteers should provide a CV, together with a supporting statement explaining why you would like to become a Trustee of Focus. Please include how your skills and experience match the person specification and any other relevant details in support of your application.
For an informal chat about the role please contact the TrusteeWorks team who will be able to arrange this.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are seeking a Company Secretary who can use their skills and capabilities to assist the Board to operate efficiently and effectively. You will also help the charity to continue providing vital support to those who need it.
What will you be doing?
This role is for someone who is organised and methodical, with an eye for detail. You will take minutes at Board meetings and make sure the charity follows company law. You will also participate fully in Board meetings and play an important part in the strategic direction of the charity.
Together the Trustees are collectively responsible for the governance and management of the Charity, including regulatory compliance. However, the Company Secretary is expected to lead on all aspects of the charities adherence to legal and regulatory requirements, that includes submission of documentation to the appropriate body.
This includes being able to present and explain any requirements to other Trustees, to aid the Board’s understanding and ability to jointly make decisions about changes to the charities governance matters.
For full role description please see candidate pack attached.
What are we looking for?
Desirable skills, experience and knowledge:
- Experience in one of the following: Legal, Office & Administration Management or Governance.
- A strong affinity with the vision and values of Top Church Training.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills.
- Integrity and sound judgement.
- Able and willing to work collaboratively with others.
We welcome candidates of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. We would like to diversify our Board in order to strengthen our governance and better represent the demographics of those who use our services.
What difference will you make?
This is an exciting time to join us as we are looking to develop the existing Board and our policies and procedures around our governance. The long term goal is to expand the Board by bringing on people with new skills, experience and backgrounds.
As Company Secretary you will play a key supporting role in helping us achieve this goal, and will use your skills and capabilities to assist the Board to operate efficiently and effectively. You will also help the charity to continue providing vital support to those who need it.
Reach TrusteeWorks are supporting us with our Board recruitment.
Please send a CV/LinkedIn profile and a cover letter in which you include why you are interested in the role and how your skills and experience would add value to the Board.
If you have any questions or require any assistance submitting your application please get in touch with the TrusteeWorks team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
New Governor (Trustee) vacancy
Are you interested in making a positive difference in Islington; helping to effect change and tackle issues related to poverty and inequality?
- Do you have experience in finance, investments, endowments and/or impact investing?
- Can you help amplify the voice of those we work with, through your personal or professional experience?
- Could you bring additional diversity to our board so that we better reflect the community in which we work?
- Do you have volunteering or charity experience?
- Are you able to commit the time required to make the most of joining us?
If any of the above apply to you, then becoming a Governor of the Cripplegate Foundation may be the right opportunity for you. Full induction and support would be provided, so don’t let a lack of experience of being a trustee or governor deter you from reading more…
Cripplegate Foundation is a grant making foundation focused on poverty and inequality and operates in the London Borough of Islington and a small part of the City of London. It is a pioneer of the place-based giving movement, building on a decade of innovative partnerships and grant programmes.
Please see information pack attached for more of an in depth view of the role.
Deadline: Expressions of Interest by 3rd May 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We need a Treasurer/Trustee to support the Board of Trustees in achieving on-going Good Governance of of an unincorporated charity transitioning into a CIO
What will you be doing?
The new Trustee/Treasurer is needed to give advice on the Society’s strategic plans at a time of increased uncertainty about the level of support for our national activities.
In past years the Society has held very successful annual events but now, due to uncertainty about the current and future level of support for these events - organised by ambitious, experienced volunteers. Consequently the board members now need support and guidance to ensure confidence in the financial viability of on-going plans and to ensure that funds are properly managed.
What are we looking for?
Experience in accounts preferably with awareness of charitable governance, analysis and evaluation skills, ability to communicate and explain financial information, people handling and leadership skills
What difference will you make?
A sympathetic, knowledgeable and reliable professional will give the inexperienced trustees confidence to make informed decisions on the financial governance of the society and the reassurance that efficient oversight is in place.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Lead the board of a newly evolved organisation, bringing together a group of like-minded charities across North West London with the aim to create access to responsive, fully-integrated, quality and culturally-appropriate support that reduce health inequalities and ensures residents stay independent and in control of their lives.
- Location: North West London
- Salary: Reasonable expenses paid
- Closing date: Monday 20th May
Who we are.
3ST – Third Sector Together – is a group of like-minded charities that have been working together since 2019 across the eight boroughs of North West London: Harrow, Hillingdon, Brent, Hounslow, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster.
Third sector organisations have long been valued, vital partners to the public sector in the delivery of support and services to communities and individuals, both in day-to-day life and in times of crisis.
The changing strategic and funding landscape is presenting new challenges and opportunities for the third sector. Alongside the widely recognised increased competition for funding, these changes are also bringing about more significant opportunities to influence future service development and forward strategy, particularly within the health and social care sector.
The increasing regionalisation of funding and strategic planning means that individual organisations are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain effective relationships across the vast array of commissioners and organisations now present in the marketplace.
3ST has been formed primarily to provide a strategic and commissioning link between the voluntary and community (third) sector and the Integrated Care System within the NHS across the North West London region. 3ST aims to be a strong, recognisable group able to represent the sector’s voice and interests at a local and regional level and to maximise the opportunities presented by the NHS’s Long Term Plan commitment to increased sector involvement. Our ambition is to act as a contract vehicle for the sector to demonstrate the impact of social models and provide effective management. We foster closer working with the ICS through collaboration with grassroots organisations that can support reach activities and co-production. We are in the process of planning to host a VSCE conference which will grow the 3ST members.
About the role.
Our Board is looking to appoint our first Independent Chair to lead us through a period of growth, developing relationships and defining our future strategic vision. We are looking for someone who has led complex organisations, with strong communication skills with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, and who has experience of chairing complex meetings with an inclusive style.
Who we are looking for.
Our Independent Chair will be an ambassador for the organisation, proactively building relationships across NW London Integrated Care System and our members and promoting the third sector’s role in population health management alongside our executive team. It would be beneficial if our new Chair has experience in the health, social care or the voluntary or public sectors, whilst being commercial, strategic and a champion for the needs and views of NW London residents. Our MD, Fiona Hill and the executive team (leaders of our member organisations) will come together with our Chair and liaise to provide leadership, advice and guidance to ensure we are working collaboratively with our members, ICS, and residents at the heart of our decision making.
Our Board, including our legacy partners from H4ALL and our elected members, come together and meet six times a year for two hours plus an annual strategy day. We expect the overall time commitment to be the equivalent of c.2 days a month which will include, liaising with our MD and executive, working with our Board and Members, and building relationships with our ICS colleagues.
The eight boroughs we are active in are diverse in many ways, and we want to continue ensuring our Board represents our society and the people we work with every day.
Please click 'Apply via website’ 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 Monday 20th May 2024.
HF Mencap supports people with learning disabilities, autism and developmental conditions. You will ensure high standards of governance and legal compliance but need not have previous experience as Company Secretary.
What will you be doing?
HF Mencap is the only disabilities charity in Hammersmith and Fulham that focuses solely on people with learning disabilities, autism, and other developmental conditions.
The Charity provides a wide range of service-user led activity, summarised in four projects: advocacy for families of young people with learning disabilities, a parent led forum for those with children and young people up to 25 with additional needs and learning disabilities, a youth development project for young adults, and a day service where the focus is on peer support and skills development through a range of inclusive activities.
As Company Secretary you will lead on maintaining high standards of governance and ensuring legal compliance.
As a Trustee you will help HF Mencap continue to provide the highest standards of professional, specialist support and care for the people who use our services and set a clear, ambitious direction for the charity’s future. The Trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring the charity is well-run and meets legal requirements, charitable objectives, and those of good governance. You will use your personal skills and experience to help the Board reach structured and sound decisions.
What are we looking for?
Somebody based in London with a corporate governance, legal or business background. It is desirable but not essential to have previous Trustee and/or Company Secretary experience as appropriate training and mentorship can be provided. You do need to be organised, methodical, and able to ensure that HF Mencap fulfils its obligations both as a charity and limited company.
We are also very keen to hear from you if you have lived experience of a learning disability and/or autism or are a parent or carer of someone who does. Alternatively, you may have direct experience of working with people who do.
Whatever your circumstances you feel strongly about HF Mencap's cause and want to combine your expertise and passion to create a better world for those it supports. You are willing to bring your skills and experience to the table to help shape HF Mencap’s future. You are enthusiastic, able to commit time and effort, and enjoy being part of a team.
The role is voluntary, with any necessary out of pocket expenses reimbursed. Appointment is for a three-year term with the opportunity to be re-appointed for a period of up to three years.
Essential
- Based in London
- Expertise in one of the following areas: legal, compliance, corporate governance, accountancy or office and administration management
Desirable
- Previous experience of acting as a Trustee and/or Company Secretary
- Lived experience of having a learning disability and/or autism, being a parent or carer of somebody who does, or experience of working directly with people who do.
The following personal skills and attributes are needed:
- Commitment to HF Mencap’s support of people with a learning disability, their families, and carers.
- Excellent communication and co-ordination skills.
- Dependability in meeting deadlines.
- A keen eye for the accuracy of detail.
- Ability to work effectively as a member of a team that makes collective decisions.
- Willingness to speak your mind while collaborating with others.
- Energy to devote the necessary time and effort to the role.
- Ability to undertake analysis, discussion and decision making at a strategic level.
- Sound, independent judgement.
- Ability to think creatively.
- Willingness to work in uncertain circumstances and be receptive to change.
- Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
- Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.
What difference will you make?
The current social and economic pressures have put the needs of those living with learning disability further down the national agenda. You will be helping to keep their voice heard and enabling a local charity to take an even more active role in helping to address the inequality faced by so many of them. As Company Secretary you will help to underpin the charity’s credibility by maintaining high standards of governance and reporting.
Before you apply
Please provide a comprehensive cv with your full name and contact details by March 25th (at the latest), together with a supporting statement setting out why you are for applying for this role and how you meet the person specification. Details of the role and person specification are in the attached document.
Any appointment will be subject to the receipt of two satisfactory references and a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
Trustees will be expected to declare that they are eligible and willing to act as a Charity Trustee and Company Director and that they comply with the fit and proper persons test in relation to HF Mencap’s registration with HMRC as a charity for tax purposes.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Progress towards equality for autistic children and young people has been made and we’re proud of our role in this as a movement for change. But there is still more progress to be made. This is an opportunity to lead the board of a charity that is ensuring we live in a world where autistic children and young people can be themselves and realise their ambitions.
Location: London across several sites.
Applications close on Friday 31st May.
Who we are.
Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for autistic children and young people. We were established in 1997 by a group of families of autistic children who were concerned about the lack of appropriate provision for their children. Following a major capital fundraising campaign and a series of temporary locations and premises, Treehouse School and our charity moved into purpose-built accommodation in 2008, together creating the Pears National Centre for Autism Education. Since then, we have grown our education services opening Ambitious College, The Rise School and Spring School, and merging with St John’s College in September 2023, alongside extending our national influencing and enabling activities.
We run specialist education services and an award-winning employment programme, wherein children and young people are at the heart of our charity’s decision-making, policy work and campaigning. We also use our expertise to deliver training and consultancy to a wide range of organisations to improve awareness and understanding of autism. We want to help even more autistic children and young people to improve their quality of life and secure a fulfilling and rewarding future.
Even during the pandemic, we lived up to our name as we achieved so many goals and plans. We developed our Right from the Start toolkit, launched our Employ Autism campaign, and have grown and evolved.
We are experiencing an exciting period of growth. We were chosen to open a new school – Spring School which supports up to 90 pupils at capacity from ages 4-19 and we announced our merger with St John’s College. Although this is exciting, we have a battle on our hands as we call on the government to follow their solutions in the SEND Green Paper. We’re concerned that some of the proposals will make it even harder for autistic children to access education support and so we are asking for a public commitment from the government to fund support for children with SEND. There are more than twice as many children with SEND in schools and colleges now than there were in 2010, but the government has not set out what funding will be available to pay for the additional support they need.
We know there is an increasing need for mental health support across all schools. Everyone should be able to feel OK at school. But we know this isn’t the case for many autistic pupils. That’s why we created the Autistic and OK programme to empower autistic pupils to take control of their mental health and wellbeing, understand themselves and feel OK at school. Our guide is free for every single secondary school. But there is more for us to do, to continue to build and empower our communities to ensure autistic young people feel understood and accepted.
We recognise that there is still more to be done to grow and develop our important work, first outlined in our Time for Ambition 2021-2024 strategy and so we are extending this strategy for a further two years. Our aims continue to include ensuring autistic children and young people have an excellent and inclusive education, alongside striving for every autistic young person to have good careers education at school and in further and higher education, including experience of work. Autistic people need services that support good mental health by reducing isolation and so we want to ensure early intervention through signposting to specialist support. We aim to ensure peer networks are available alongside uplifting but realistic information tailored to autistic young people and their families. We also want to further develop our Ambitious Youth Network and continue to expand nationally to empower young people to connect with one another and to influence societal change.
Given we run schools, following a governance review in December 2019, we created our own Multi-Academy Trust – Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust (AaAST) which currently has two schools. We implemented several new changes to our governance including Joint Trustees and a joint committee structure wherein there are five trustees each of the Charity and Trust Boards and three Trustees who are Trustees of both Boards who serve as the joint Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Charity and Trust. All Trustees of the Charity and Trust are members of a Joint Group Board Committee to ensure oversight of the Charity and Trust. How this works in practice is everyone meets together with a short meeting afterwards to discuss Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust.
Our new Chair.
Our current Chair, Neil Goulden, is approaching the end of his term in December 2024, and we are in search of our next Chair to lead our Board. We need a Chair who has extensive experience in modern board leadership, ensuring robust governance, and promoting collective strategic decision-making. We are looking for someone who is commercially astute, as we strive to drive our organisation’s continued growth, ambition, and development. We value a Chair who embodies credibility and adeptness in navigating complexity. The ability to work with others and build trusting relationships with a variety of stakeholders are key.
Our new Chair must be committed to making a meaningful impact and leading an organisation that empowers young autistic people during a pivotal period of change in our communities. We need a Chair who is an inclusive leader, fostering engagement, strategic thinking, and openness who will lead the board as an
exemplar of inclusivity. They must be supportive and challenging, creating opportunities for growth and positive impact.
It is vital that our new Chair works with the board to ensure that all voices are heard and will have an affinity for our mission to stand with autistic children and young people, champion their rights, and create opportunities.
The new Chair will work with an established board and ambitious executive team that is ensuring our organisation is sustainable, evolving, innovative and impactful, and leads change whilst providing outstanding education to young autistic people.
The Board meets once a term and has an annual strategy away day. We expect the time commitment for the Chair to vary, and we would expect the equivalent on average of circa two days a month across various activities such as preparation for board meetings, reading board papers, regular conversation with the Chief Executive, ad hoc discussions with board members and the executive team, and attending events throughout the year.
Our board is diverse in many ways, including autistic people, who are part of our board, alongside a balance of gender, ethnicity, and age. We want to continue ensuring our Board represents our society and the people we work with every day.
Please click 'Apply via website’ 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 Friday 31st May.