Essential Experience
- Senior governance experience as a Chair, Trustee, Non-Executive Director, or equivalent governance role.
- Understanding of the changing UK skills, education and employment landscape, including barriers faced by disadvantaged groups (e.g., prisoners, young people, people with disabilities, refugees, low-income communities) and emerging government policy.
- Demonstrable success in overseeing development and implementation of strategy at high levels either with social purpose organisations or employers.
- Proven ability to build strategic partnerships across private, public, and voluntary sectors with strong connections.
- Commercially astute with sound risk management expertise, and the ability to scrutinise investment decisions and assess impact.
Desirable Experience
- Background in workforce development, corporate responsibility, social mobility, or community investment.
- Experience influencing policy or leading organisations engaged in advocacy.
- Familiarity with impact measurement, evaluation, and learning in social programmes.
Skills and Attributes
- Strategic thinker with the ability to synthesise complex issues and guide long-term decision-making.
- Exceptional communication and ambassadorial skills, able to represent the Foundation externally with credibility and confidence.
- Strong chairing and facilitation skills—capable of leading inclusive and effective Board discussions and balancing challenge with support.
- Collaborative leadership style, enabling constructive relationships with Trustees, executives, and stakeholders.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and an understanding of how lived experience can shape effective solutions.
- High integrity and sound judgement, with a clear understanding of charity governance and ethical decision-making.
Personal Qualities
- Passion for social justice and improving opportunities for people facing disadvantage.
- Independent, impartial, and willing to ask challenging questions.
- Empathy, humility, and the ability to listen deeply to communities and partners.
- Enthusiastic about innovation, evidence, and continuous learning.