Photo One: Chefo, 75, Borena Zone, Ethiopia / Photo Two: Vera, 81, Moldova / Photo Three: Paulina, 66, Kasulu, Tanzania

The Chair of Age International works, together with the other Trustees, to ensure that Age International acts in accordance with its Articles of Association and manages its activities for the furtherance of its legal objectives. Trustees are also Directors of the company and have legal responsibilities and potential liabilities in this capacity.

Detailed Responsibilities

Age International Trustees have responsibility for the strategy, management and control of Age International. In this role, the Trustees are individually and collectively responsible for:

• Setting the strategy and undertaking the strategic management of Age International.
• Ensuring that the charity complies with its Articles of Association and all applicable legislation and regulations[1].
• Ensuring that the charity pursues its objects as defined in the Articles of Association.
• Ensuring that the charity applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
• Safeguarding the good name and ethos of the charity.
• Ensuring the financial stability of the charity and protecting the charities’ assets.
• Ensuring proper accounting records are kept.
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the charity.
• Approving the charity’s policies.

Duties

Collectively, the Board of Trustees:

• Approves the strategic plan and monitors progress against it.
• Approves the annual budget.
• Receives the auditor’s report and approves the annual report and accounts.
• Ensures there are effective controls in place to monitor and regularly review the finance and administrative systems.
• Ensures that risks to the charity and its assets are identified in a risk register, and appropriate steps are established to mitigate against them.
• Ensures the charity fully complies with legal or regulatory requirements relevant to charitable activities (including appropriate record keeping).
• Appoints the Chief Executive and monitors their performance.
• Acts in accordance with the Charity Governance Code.

Individually, the Chair is responsible for the following:

• Prepare for, chair and report on meetings of the Board of Trustees (currently 4 per quarter with shorter ad hoc meetings as needed). Chair Age International Board meetings to promote inclusive and timely decision-making, facilitate open debate and challenge appropriately.
• Lead the Age International Board, providing strategic leadership and ensuring high performance of the Board, along with effective strategy development.
• Oversee the work of the Age International CEO, conducting regular meetings and appraisals with them and providing mentorship and support.
• Build strong, effective and trusting relationships with fellow Trustees, members of the Executive Team, senior leaders and stakeholders.  Undertake annual 1:1 meetings with Age International Trustees to set and review objectives.  Attend an annual 1:1 with the Chair of the Age UK Board.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders, particularly the Chairs of Age UK and HelpAge International, and foster relationships between trustees of all three Boards, executive staff, and external stakeholders.
• Act as an internal and external ambassador for Age International, promote Age International to potential donors and beneficiaries, make introductions and support income generation. Occasionally participate in meetings/conferences/events as an ambassador for the charity.
• Champion Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Age International.
• Keep abreast of developments across the sectors in which Age International works.
• Foster a constructive environment for Trustees to challenge and support each other and build a culture of support and challenge.
• Act in accordance with the Nolan Principles of Public Life[2] and other principles expected of holders of public office.
• Exercise due care and attention, using reasonable skill in dealing with the charity’s affairs.
• Use their own skills, knowledge, and experience to help the Board reach sound decisions.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality, declaring any conflicts of interest and abiding by our Standards of Conduct (or equivalent), policies and procedures.
• Serve on advisory or ‘task and finish’ groups, if required.
• Safeguard Age International’s reputation, promoting its vision, mission and values.
• Participate in an initial induction programme, including familiarisation with the charity’s current issues and the Board’s areas of focus.
• Make time for visits to/observation of the work with older people supported by the charity.

[1] Regulators include the Charity Commission, Companies House, The Information Commissioner and the Fundraising Regulator.

[2] The Nolan Principles of Public Life are Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership.