THE VARRIER-JONES FOUNDATION
Trustee (Property) - Volunteer
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Trustee (Property) - Volunteer
Trustee Opportunity – Property & Finance (Commercial Property Professional)
The Foundation manages £60m of investment assets, enabling us to provide grant funding to Papworth Trust and other disability charities. We are seeking an experienced property professional to join our Board of Trustees and also serve on the Property & Finance Committee, Audit & Risk Committee.
About This Role
As a Trustee with significant commercial property experience, your role will be critical in providing strategic oversight of our property portfolio, which includes:
- A business park
- Office and retail units
- Potential development land
Your expertise will be vital as we seek to preserve long-term capital value while distributing sustainable, inflation-adjusted donations of £1.4m in the 2024/25 financial year.
What Difference Will You Make?
Your appointment will reinforce our governance, ensuring our asset strategy aligns with sustainable financial goals while supporting autism and disability causes.
Responsibilities
As a Trustee (with up to 10 Trustees overall), your core duties will include:
- Providing strategic direction on the property portfolio’s performance
- Ensuring compliance with charity law and financial regulations
- Supporting grant distribution while safeguarding assets
- Attending and contributing to committee meetings—including:
- Property & Finance Committee (overall investment strategy)
- Audit & Risk Committee (financial oversight, risk management)
- Maintaining fiduciary responsibility and Board-level decision-making
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Reporting: To the entire Board of Trustees.
Requirements & Preferences
Knowledge & Experience
Must have: ✔ Deep expertise in commercial property—development, valuation, and finance ✔ Strong understanding of charity governance (Nuspana preferred) ✔ +5 years of relevant experience (property investment, advisory, or asset management)
Preferred: ✔ Trusteeship or Non-Executive Director experience with another charity ✔ Expertise in:
- Conveyancing & valuation
- Land development
- Short-term lease management
- Financial due diligence of property assets ✔ Clear grasp of Trustee duties & legal liabilities
Skills & Attitudes
- Ability to analyse complex information and apply independent judgement
- Collaborative & diplomatic when working with fellow Trustees
- Willingness to guide staff with expertise while relying on Board-wide consensus
- Strategic mindset with a focus on long-term sustainability
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Personal Fit
We look for purpose-driven, integrity-driven candidates who align with our values:
- Independent but collaborative
- Community-oriented (with a personal/family connection to disability issues preferred)
- Commitment to values-based governance
What’s Expected of You?
- Attend Trustee meetings & relevant committees (typically 6–8 meetings/year)
- Chair at least one committee or working group (e.g., Property or Audit) by Year 3
- Maximum 3-hour time commitment, shared tri-annually
- Flexible approach to hybrid working (in-person attendance for critical votes)
About The Foundation
Our mission: To promote, facilitate, and sustain independent living for disabled people through significant support, enabling charities like Papworth Trust to thrive.
Our vision: A society where disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else.
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