Trustee

We are seeking new Trustees to help guide our next chapter. We are particularly keen to hear from people with experience in fundraising, finance, property, charity management, or with lived experience that reflects the voices of our members. We also warmly welcome applications from younger people, those from UKME/Global Majority Heritage backgrounds, and people with disabilities, who are currently under-represented on our Board. This is a rewarding opportunity to use your skills and insights to strengthen a much-loved community charity and shape its future.

1. About Katherine Low Settlement
Katherine Low Settlement is a much-loved, busy charity that has been at the heart of the
community in Battersea, South West London, since 1924. Our recent-released
documentary, The Heart of Battersea – 100 Years of Katherine Low Settlement, brings our
century of work to life through the voices of members, staff and volunteers.
We support local older people and children, young people and their families from
sanctuary-seeking backgrounds. With an annual turnover of around £1m, our small team
of 32 mostly part-time staff, along with over 120 volunteers run a range of our own
community services. We campaign for social change and we support other charities and
communities to thrive. Our building is used for community activities and events by
over 500 people a week, and our rooms are available for hire at affordable rates. KLS is
funded from supporters, trusts and foundations which enable us to achieve our goal to
reduce poverty and isolation and bring Battersea together.
The Settlement is situated on Orville Street and Battersea High Street and aims to serve
the communities of SW11 and SW8, which includes areas of significant deprivation
alongside some of the most prosperous neighbourhoods in the country. Its vision is to
bring people together, to discover a common humanity in the process and to work together
for some of the most vulnerable people in London.

2. The Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is the legal guardian of Katherine Low Settlement to ensure that
KLS complies with its governing document (Memorandum and Articles of Association),
charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for directing the Settlement’s strategy and vision, for
overseeing the work of its Chief Executive and Staff, and for settling policy, administering
its finance and offering advice and support in the delivery of services. The board is
currently made up of seven serving members, and has vacancies for up to three new
Trustees, to a maximum of ten. Trustees are appointed by the Annual General Meeting for
a period of three years, renewable by mutual agreement.
Gaps we’re looking to fill
The Trustees have identified gaps in its membership in terms of experience of fundraising,
finance, property, charity management and the voice of Settlement members. The board
also recognises that it lacks diversity and lived experience, particularly in representation by
UKME/Global Majority Heritage people, younger people and those with disabilities. Most of
all we are looking for willing and able trustees who are aligned with our vision, mission and
values and who are committed to this local community of Battersea.

3. Key Responsibilities of Trustees
Trustees are expected to:
▪ Formulate and review regularly the strategic aims of the Settlement in accordance with
its legal objects, and to ensure the policy and practices of the Settlement are in keeping
with its aims.
▪ Monitor the performance of the charity against the agreed strategic aims.
▪ Ensure that the Settlement functions within the legal and regulatory requirements of a
charitable organisation and strives to achieve best practice.
▪ Act as guardians of the charity’s assets, tangible and intangible, taking all due care
over their security, deployment and proper application.
Within that broad responsibility, shared among the Trustees, the main tasks and
accountabilities include:
a) Formulating and reviewing strategic aims
▪ Ensure the Settlement has a clear vision, mission and strategic plan, and that there is a
common understanding of these by Trustees and management.
▪ Work with management to formulate the business, operational and other plans
necessary to support the vision, mission and strategic objectives.
▪ Agree and review the Chief Executive’s annual and longer-term objectives, to ensure
that these support the vision, mission and strategic priorities.
▪ Agree policies which support the vision, mission and strategic priorities of the
Settlement, and monitor their implementation.
▪ Follow best practice as recommended by the Charity Commission.
b) Monitoring Performance
▪ Appoint the Chief Executive and ensure there is appropriate investment in their
professional development.
▪ Agree the method for measuring objectively the progress of the Settlement in relation
to its vision, mission and strategic priorities, business plans and annual targets, and to
receive regular reports from the Chief Executive and senior staff on the performance of
the Settlement.
▪ Ensure that the views of members on the Settlement’s performance are regularly
gathered and considered by the Board.
▪ Hold the Chief Executive to account for the management and administration of the
Settlement.
▪ Ensure that the Chief Executive receives regular, constructive feedback on their
performance in managing the Settlement and in meeting annual and longer term goals.
c) Legal and Regulatory Compliance
▪ Ensure that the Settlement complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
▪ Has a sound grasp and awareness of its duty of care in safeguarding and that policy
and practice are aligned to make the Settlement a safe place for members, especially
children and vulnerable adults.
▪ Understand the rules and constitution that govern the Settlement, and to review the
effectiveness of such rules and constitution periodically.
▪ Agree the levels of delegated authority, whether to the Chief Executive, the Chair, ViceChair and Treasurer of the Board, or to other groups or individuals.
d) Guardians of the Settlement’s Assets
▪ Ensure that the Settlement has satisfactory control systems and procedures for holding
in trust for the beneficiaries all monies, property and other assets.
▪ Ensure that monies which are invested on behalf of the Settlement are well-managed,
within the constraints of the law and ethical and other policies laid down by the Board.
▪ Ensure that the major strategic and operational risks to which the Settlement is
exposed are reviewed annually and that systems have been established to mitigate
these risks.
▪ Ensure that the income and property of the Settlement are applied for the purposes set
out by law and for no other purpose, and with complete fairness between people who
are eligible to benefit.
▪ Ensure that intangible assets such as organisational knowledge and expertise,
intellectual property and the Settlement’s good name and reputation are properly
safeguarded.
e) Promotion of the Settlement and Engagement with Stakeholders
▪ Be prepared to act as an ambassador for the Settlement when asked to by the Chief
Executive or Chair of Trustees, and to work within an agreed brief.
▪ Attend events as an ambassador for the Settlement, to network and promote the work
of the Settlement.
▪ Seek at all times to raise awareness of the work of the Settlement to potential
beneficiaries.
▪ Assist with fundraising and awareness-raising through appropriate speaking and
networking events, with support and training as appropriate.
4. Recruiting Trustees with particular experiences
As part of a regular process of self-audit, the Trustees have identified a particular need to
recruit Trustees with experience of:
▪ Fundraising – from the perspective of either charitable trusts or high net worth
individuals or both, to help maximise our chances of success in fundraising activities
▪ Finance – to be a second finance Trustee, in addition to the Treasurer
▪ Property and general management – to help us to maintain, refurbish and develop
plans for our historic building
▪ Charity experience – to bring knowledge of financial and operational management in
that sector
▪ Lived experience - Ensuring the perspective of volunteers, members and alumni is
represented in decision making
Although the Board is very effective, it lacks significant diversity, which diminishes its
capacity to be even more effective. The Trustees would therefore particularly welcome
interest from those from UKME/Global Majority Heritage backgrounds, younger people and
people with disabilities, all of which are under-represented on the Board.

5. Person Specification
Expressions of interest are invited, in writing, with examples of experience in these areas :

Essential Experience & Skills

• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• Ability to contribute to the strategic vision and direction of KLS
• Ability to work as an active and vocal part of the Trustee board
• Effective communicator – both verbal and written 
• Willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries 
• Committed to KLS’s mission, vision and values and its work 
• Knowledge of Battersea / Wandsworth

No prior experience is needed. Full training and support will be given.

6. Further Information

• Katherine Low Settlement is committed to equal opportunities.
•  All offers to volunteer at Katherine Low Settlement are subject to two satisfactory references, which is standard KLS policy applicable to all roles. KLS may ask for an enhanced DBS check.
• You will adhere to matters of confidentiality concerning this role and the KLS team.
•  An induction is given. This includes sharing KLS policies and procedures relevant to each post.