Chair of the Board of Trustees

Objective
The Chair will hold the Board and Executive Team to account for the Charity’s mission and vision,
providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties
and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. The Chair will also support, and, where
appropriate, challenge the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the Executive of the charity to achieve agreed objectives. He or she will act as an ambassador and the public face of the charity in partnership with the Chief Executive.

Principle Responsibilities
Strategic leadership

• Provide leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring that the Charity has maximum impact for its
• beneficiaries
• Ensure that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the Charity
• Ensure that the Board operates within its charitable objectives, and provides a clear strategic direction
• for the Charity
• Ensure that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, and satisfy
• itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks
• Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in
• place to ensure financial accountability

Governance

• Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for the Charity
• Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees
• Encourage positive change, where appropriate address and resolve any conflicts within the Board
• Appraise the performance of the Trustees and the Board on an regular basis
• Ensure that the Board of Trustees is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills,
• knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead the charity effectively, and which also reflects the wider population
• Work within any agreed policies adopted by the charity
• If possible, sit as observer on any Board sub-committees.

External Relations

• Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity
• Act as a spokesperson for the organisation when appropriate
• Represent the charity at external functions, meetings and events

Efficiency and effectiveness

• Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process
• Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of
• the Charity and that the Board takes collective ownership
• Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees
• Work closely with the Chief Executive to give direction to Board policy-making and to ensure that
• meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of trustees
• Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.

Job Description
Relationship with the Chief Executive and the wider management team

• Establish and build a strong, effective and a constructive working relationship with the Chief Executive,
• ensuring s/he is held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives
• Support the Chief Executive, whilst respecting the boundaries which exist between the two roles
• Ensure regular contact with the Chief Executive and develop and maintain an open and supportive
• relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges
• Liaise with the Chief Executive to maintain an overview of the Charity’s affairs, providing support as
• necessary
• Conduct an annual appraisal and remuneration review for the Chief Executive in consultation with other Trustees (Finance & General Purposes Committee / Remuneration Committee)
• Ensure that the Chief Executive has the opportunity for professional development and has appropriate
• external professional support

Additional information
The Vice-Chair acts for the Chair when the Chair is not available and undertakes assignments at the
request of the Chair.

The above list is indicative only and not exhaustive. The Chair will be expected to perform all such
additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role.

Person Specification
In addition to the qualities required of a Trustee of the charity, the Chair must also meet the following
requirements: -

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the charity, its strategic objectives and
• cause
• Exhibit strong inter-personal and relationship building abilities
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively
• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the charity
• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment
• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well

Experience

• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
• Successful track record of achievement through their career
• Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees
• Experience of external representation, delivering presentations and managing stakeholders
• Significant experience of chairing meetings and events

Knowledge and skills

• Broad knowledge and understanding of the Civil Society sector and current issues affecting it
• Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together
• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues
• Good understanding of charity governance issues

Terms
The charity’s Chair (and board members) will serve a three-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term.

In addition to chairing the main Board meetings, the Chair has the right to attend the three sub-committees, which all meet quarterly.