Chair

Join Population Matters as our next Chair

Population Matters is at a pivotal moment: with a bold new five‑year strategy launched in February 2025, we’re poised to amplify our impact on the critical interplay between human numbers, consumption and planetary health. As our current Chair reaches their two‑term limit, we seek a visionary leader to partner with our dynamic CEO and skilled Board in realising our mission: a world where people live fairly and sustainably with nature and one another.

About Population Matters

Vision: A world in which our human population lives fairly and sustainably with nature and each other.

Mission: To address the negative consequences of ever more people using ever more of the planet’s resources—and to inspire and engage others in finding, sharing and promoting solutions as swiftly as possible.

Values: Evidence‑based learning • Local and global partnerships • Openness and commitment to truth • Promotion of women’s choices

The Chair role
As Chair, you will ensure the Board’s effectiveness in shaping and delivering strategy, upholding exemplary governance and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. You will:

Lead and inspire an international, growing charity.

• Chair Board meetings, guide decision‑making and oversee high‑quality Board papers.
• Appoint, support and appraise the CEO, ensuring robust performance and development.
• Review Board composition and sub‑committees, nurturing Trustee talent and diversity.
• Act as an ambassador for Population Matters, engaging funders, regulators and strategic partners.

We are looking for someone:

• with the gravitas and personality to lead and inspire a growing, internationalizing charity.
• with an affinity with Population Matters, its strategy and its goals.
• with strong interpersonal and relationship skills, inside PM and externally.
• with good communication skills and experience with public presentation and negotiations.
• familiar with the demographics and politics around human population.
• familiar with the international development and nature protection debates.

Other attributes:

• Experience at a senior, strategic level within an organisation of similar size.
• Previous Trustee or Non‑Executive Board Director experience (essential).
• Financial literacy and understanding of charitable sector finance.
• Proven ability to build external collaborations and foster strong internal teams.
• Experience working with charity regulators, significant funders and institutional or political leaders.

Time commitment
As well as the time commitments for all Trustees (one day per month), the Chair role will require an additional 0.5 – 1 day per month to support and collaborate with the Chief Executive.

Location: Board meetings held in London SE1, with some meetings online.

If you would like to receive an Information Pack with full details, including how to apply, please send an expression of interest and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile in confidence to our consultant, Jenny Hills at Harris Hill, via the apply button. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny at the above address with suitable times to talk.

Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 23rd June.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.