Back
The Chair of Trustees leads the board, ensuring that it governs Age UK Richmond effectively, in service of the charity’s vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity. In addition to all the duties of a trustee, the Chair’s role includes: • Providing leadership to the board and ensuring that trustees fulfil their responsibilities for the proper governance of the charity. • Ensuring the board sets a mission, vision, strategy and has the right policies to act in line with its Articles of Association and relevant legislation and that the Board monitors performance, spend and risk. • Ensuring that the board as a whole works in partnership with executive staff. • Ensuring good governance, with a systematic, open and fair procedure for the recruitment of trustees, with appropriate induction information and training. • Ensuring the proper and efficient conduct of board meetings by; chairing trustee meetings effectively, seeking consensus, encouraging participation, taking an active role in ensuring that board agendas are meaningful and reflect the key responsibilities of trustees and that trustees receive timely and accurate information in order to allow the board to discharge its responsibilities. • Regular meetings with the Chief Executive, to provide support and review performance. • Ensuring the Chief Executive provides an effective link between the board and staff. • Attending events and forums when needed to help raise awareness of the charity and its work and support fundraising initiatives. • Stakeholder engagement locally, and more occasionally regionally / nationally. Application is via CV and a covering letter to be sent to our CEO gavin.shand@ageukrichmond.org.uk If you are interested in applying, the Chair / CEO would welcome a conversation with you beforehand to answer any questions if useful. Please also contact the CEO on the email above.
What we are looking for: ● Experience of being on a board. You do not need to have been a Chair before however. ● Good understanding of governance and the duties of trusteeship. ● Senior level Health & Social Care and / or voluntary sector background. ● Experience of working with older people desirable. ● A keen sense of strategic purpose. ● An inclusive leadership style - able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing. ● The ability to listen and engage effectively. You are comfortable with challenge and debate and are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment. ● Excellent communication skills
We are looking for a dynamic Chair who is committed to improving the lives of vulnerable and isolated older people across Richmond upon Thames. Running a healthy and successful charity requires a strong Board that offers leadership and challenge in a collegiate and positive way and has our beneficiaries at the core of everything they do.
The Board of Trustees meet quarterly in person. Board members are asked to commit time to read papers, and to share expertise when needed. Board members are also expected to sit on at least one of two committees that also meet quarterly – Finance & General Purposes and Fundraising & Service Development. The Chair is an ex officio member of both committees. The Chair will also hold regular meetings with the Chief Executive. The role will also involve representing the organisation at events and attending occasional regional or national Age UK meetings
