Throughthesentence
Chairperson
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Chair of Trustees
Role Description
About the Role
The Chair of Trustees provides leadership to the board of trustees, ensuring that the charity is well governed, fulfils its charitable purposes, and operates effectively to deliver public benefit. The Chair works closely with other trustees and any staff or volunteers to guide the strategic direction of the charity.
As Chair, you will:
- Lead board meetings
- Foster a collaborative and effective board culture
- Act as the charity's principal ambassador
You will ensure the board maintains focus on the charity's mission whilst overseeing its financial sustainability, risk management, and compliance with charity law.
Key Responsibilities
The Chair's responsibilities fall into several interconnected areas, all focused on ensuring effective governance and the charity's success in achieving its purposes.
Leadership and Governance
The Chair provides clear leadership to the board and ensures effective governance. Your responsibilities include:
- Leading the board in setting and reviewing the charity's strategic direction
- Ensuring the charity remains focused on its charitable purposes and delivers public benefit
- Ensuring the board operates within its governing document, charity law, and relevant regulations
- Fostering a positive, collaborative culture where all trustees can contribute effectively
- Promoting high standards of conduct and ensuring trustees fulfil their legal duties
Board Management
You will plan and chair board meetings, ensuring they are well-organised, productive, and inclusive. This includes:
- Preparing agendas in consultation with the Secretary and ensuring papers are circulated in good time
- Facilitating discussions so all trustees' views are heard and considered
- Monitoring trustee attendance, participation, and performance
- Conducting annual reviews with individual trustees to support their development
- Leading trustee recruitment to ensure the board has the necessary skills and diversity
- Managing conflicts of interest appropriately and ensuring they are recorded
Strategic Oversight
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The Chair guides the development and monitoring of the charity's strategic plan, working with fellow trustees to ensure the charity achieves its objectives. You will:
- Ensure the board regularly reviews progress against strategic objectives
- Work closely with the Treasurer to oversee financial sustainability and approve annual budgets
- Ensure effective risk management processes are in place and the risk register is regularly reviewed
- Monitor and evaluate the charity's performance and impact
Safeguarding
As Chair, you champion a culture of safeguarding across the charity. This is a governance priority, and you must:
- Ensure the charity has robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place
- Ensure all trustees understand their safeguarding responsibilities
- Take immediate action if safeguarding concerns arise, ensuring proper reporting to relevant authorities
Public Benefit
You ensure all trustees understand and can clearly demonstrate how the charity delivers public benefit. This means:
- Overseeing annual reporting on public benefit in the trustees' report
- Ensuring beneficiary perspectives inform the charity's decision-making
- Regularly reviewing whether the charity's activities achieve their intended benefit
External Relations
As the charity's principal ambassador, the Chair represents its values and work to external audiences. You will:
- Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, funders, and partners
- Speak on behalf of the charity where appropriate
- Ensure the charity maintains good relationships with the Charity Commission and other regulators, responding quickly to any queries or concerns
Support to Other Officers
The Chair works closely with the Treasurer to ensure sound financial management and supports the Secretary in maintaining good administrative practices. You ensure statutory returns and regulatory compliance are maintained, with clear processes for meeting all deadlines.
Person Specification
We are looking for someone with a genuine commitment to the charity's mission and values. The following qualities and experience are important for this role.
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Essential:
- Commitment to the charity's mission and values
- Understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities of charity trustees
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
- Ability to chair meetings effectively, ensuring all voices are heard
- Good judgment and decision-making skills
- Ability to work collaboratively and build consensus
- Integrity, independence of mind, and willingness to challenge constructively
Desirable:
- Previous experience as a trustee or board member
- Experience of chairing meetings or committees
- Knowledge of the charity's area of work or beneficiary group
- Understanding of governance best practice
- Strategic thinking and planning skills
Time Commitment
You will attend and chair quarterly board meetings, which typically last 2-3 hours each. Additional time is needed for preparation, communications between meetings, and one-to-one discussions with fellow trustees. You may occasionally attend charity events or meetings with stakeholders.
We estimate the role requires around 1-2 days per month, though this may vary depending on the charity's activities and any particular issues arising.
Support and Expenses
This is an unpaid voluntary role. The charity will reimburse pre-approved reasonable expenses in line with the expenses policy, such as travel to meetings or training courses.
Training and Development
You will participate in trustee induction upon appointment and undertake relevant training to fulfil the role effectively, such as charity governance and safeguarding training. We expect all trustees to keep up to date with developments in charity law, governance, and the sector.
Small Charity Context
As a new or small charity, the Chair may need to be particularly flexible and hands-on during the early stages of development. Trustees may occasionally need to support practical activities alongside their governance responsibilities. The role requires patience, adaptability, and a genuinely collaborative approach as the charity grows and develops its capacity.
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