Help safeguard our future: Join BBS UK as our Treasurer
Bardet-Biedl Syndrome UK (BBS UK) is seeking a new Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees and play a key role in ensuring the charity remains financially strong, sustainable, and well governed.
Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare, complex genetic condition that causes blindness, learning disabilities, obesity, and a range of additional health challenges. BBS UK is the only UK charity dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by BBS.
We provide advocacy services, NHS clinic support, publications, and community events that help people navigate life with BBS. Each year, we support over 700 individuals, working alongside a small team of dedicated part-time staff and committed volunteers.
It’s an exciting time to join our charity. We are looking to strengthen our governance and build on our financial foundations to support future growth and impact.
The role
As Treasurer, you will oversee the financial governance of BBS UK, working closely with the Board of Trustees, Operations Manager, and external accountant.
This is a strategic oversight role, not a hands-on bookkeeping position. Day-to-day financial administration is carried out by staff; the Treasurer provides assurance, guidance, and clarity to support good decision-making.
Key responsibilities include:
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Maintaining a strategic overview of the charity’s financial health
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Presenting clear summaries of financial information at Board meetings
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Advising Trustees on the financial implications of plans and decisions
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Overseeing the annual budget and supporting longer-term financial planning
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Ensuring appropriate financial controls and procedures are in place
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Supporting the preparation of annual accounts and liaison with the Independent Examiner
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Helping ensure appropriate reserves are maintained in line with policy
The Board of Trustees retains collective responsibility for the charity’s finances.
We’re looking for someone with:
Essential:
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Experience in finance, accounting, bookkeeping, or financial oversight
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Confidence interpreting financial information and explaining it clearly to non-financial colleagues
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Understanding of financial controls and good governance
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Ability to think strategically and identify financial risks
Desirable:
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Experience in a charity or not-for-profit setting
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Understanding of restricted and unrestricted funds
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Experience working with budgets or management accounts
We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of BBS or a connection to the BBS community, though this is not essential.
As a BBS UK Trustee, you will have:
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Induction, training, and ongoing support
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Reasonable expenses reimbursed
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Opportunities to develop new skills and contribute at a strategic level
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The chance to make a meaningful difference to a rare disease community
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Opportunities to collaborate with dedicated trustees, staff, and partners
Time commitment
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Attendance at four Board meetings per year (online, approximately 3 hours each)
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Reviewing financial information monthly or quarterly
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Additional input around budget setting and year-end accounts
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Attendance at our annual conference weekend (in person; expenses covered)
If you would like an informal conversation about the role before applying, we would be very happy to arrange a chat with our Chair.
BBS UK is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds who share our values and want to support our community.
By applying for this role you confirm that you are willing and eligible to act as a trustee of BBS UK, that you understand the charity’s purposes and governing document, and that you are not disqualified from acting as a trustee under charity law, including due to relevant unspent convictions, insolvency restrictions, regulatory removal or disqualification, director disqualified from acting as a trustee under charity law, including due to relevant unspent convictions, insolvency restrictions, regulatory removal or disqualification, director disqualification, or other legal prohibitions.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
We support and empower our community, champion wellbeing, and raise awareness, ensuring understanding, support, and hope for all affected.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Could you be our new Chair?
Our fantastic Chair’s tenure will be coming to an end in 2026, so we are looking to appoint her successor to help Student Minds improve university communities so that every student gets the mental health support they need to reach their goals.
At Student Minds, we’re working to improve university communities so that no student is held back by their mental health. So it should come as no surprise that we are keen to reflect the communities we serve, maintain a diverse board and ensure student voices are represented. This is key to our mission and our continued impact.
We are open-minded about the professional background of this individual and are mostly looking for someone with experience of leading effective, inclusive teams, of chairing complex organisations or meetings, and in building influential cross-sector partnerships.
Key responsibilities
Student Minds Chair is expected to commit to the following:
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Preparation and attendance at four board meetings a year. Board meetings are held online and take place on weekdays from 5 - 7.30 pm.
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Preparation and attendance at two in-person board away days each year, usually from 12.30 - 5 pm. These usually take place in Leeds and include a lunchtime or evening social.
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Monthly supervision calls with the Chief Executive
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Annual in-person appraisal of the Chief Executive
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Support with board appraisals and recruitment
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Ad-hoc meetings and conversations with the senior leadership team as required. This usually constitutes approximately a further five working days a year.
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Attendance at relevant task-group meetings and/or committees.
So, if you want to help shape the future of student mental health, download our recruitment pack to find out more!
How to apply?
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For more information about the role responsibilities please download our recruitment pack that is linked
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Download and complete our application form which is available via the link
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Complete the Equality Monitoring Form.
Application process
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Application closing deadline: Monday the 5th January at 11.59 pm - make sure you send your completed application form by this date
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Interviews: 27th January, with our Chair, Trustee and CEO
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Appointment: subject to approval by the Student Minds Board
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Could you be one of our new trustees?
We currently have space on our Board for up to eight new Trustees who want to work with us to help improve university communities so that every student gets the mental health support they need to reach their goals.
At Student Minds, we’re working to improve university communities so that no student is held back by their mental health. So it should come as no surprise that we are keen to reflect the communities we serve, maintain a diverse board and ensure student voices are represented. This is key to our mission and our continued impact.
You may be thinking that you don't have the experience because you haven't been a trustee before, or because charity governance isn't your field. Think again!
Here's what you DO NEED need:
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Commitment to our vision - a world where no student is held back by their mental health
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Experience in 1 or 2 of the following areas:
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Current higher education students
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Professional higher education sector expertise
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Legal expertise
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Fundraising and income generation expertise
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Equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, intersectionality and anti racism expertise
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AI and technology expertise
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Campaigning, advocacy, community organising and/or public affairs expertise
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Marketing and brand awareness expertise
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People and culture, HR, organisational development or leadership development expertise
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And what you DON'T need:
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Previous experience of trusteeship
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Experience in charity law or working with a charity
Both experienced and aspiring trustees have much to bring to our table: we are looking for fresh perspectives and seasoned knowledge alike.
Key responsibilities
Student Minds Trustees are expected to commit to the following:
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Preparation and attendance at four board meetings a year. Board meetings are held online and take place on weekdays from 5 - 7.30 pm.
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Preparation and attendance at two board away days each year, usually from 12.30 - 5 pm. Board away days are in person and usually take place in Leeds. Travel expenses can be claimed.
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Ad-hoc meetings and conversations with the senior management team as required. This usually constitutes approximately a further five working days a year.
If appointed, you will receive the training and onboarding you need to be a confident, contributing member of the board. We are also able to provide you with a board buddy to support you in your first few months.
So, if you want to help shape the future of student mental health, download our recruitment pack to find out more!
How to apply?
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For more information about the role responsibilities please follow the link
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Download and complete our application form, which is available on the link
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Complete the Equality Monitoring Form.
Application process
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Application closing deadline: Monday the 5th January at 11.59 pm - make sure you send your completed application form by this date
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Interviews: 29th or 30th January (general Trustees) or 5th February (Student Trustees) with a Trustee and CEO
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Appointment: subject to approval by the Student Minds Board.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.