The Role
The Diocese in Europe and its chaplaincies are determined to grow and to be of service to Christians across our diocese, particularly those seeking an Anglican Church and/or worship in English. The diocese is large in geographical scale and hugely diverse in its membership, but small in resources. The opportunities are as infinite as is the variety of settings and challenges. The chair is a volunteer playing a key role in the life of the diocese by ensuring that our financial leadership, strategic development and governance is of the highest possible standard. The chair works closely with senior staff and officers of the Diocese giving advice and support to the Diocesan Secretary (Chief Operating Officer), the Diocesan Bishop, the Bishop’s Senior Staff and the Trustees. The role is that of a senior non-executive director and Trustee. The role is one of governance and the Diocese seeks an expert friend who can offer their input with authority to both support and be critical or questioning as needed.
The meetings are online with the exception of the annual in person Diocesan Synod in Cologne and one of the Finance, Audit and Personnel Committee meetings which is held in person in London.
Role Description
Post: Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF)
The DBF exists:
- To manage the financial aspects of providing a priestly and pastoral presence where needs arise and as resources permit across the Diocese.
- To provide appropriate personnel, financial grants and other resources to support the mission of the Diocese
- To engage with the community as part of the Church’s response to God’s mission to His people in the area covered by the Diocese.
- To manage funds on behalf of the churches in the Diocese and related trust funds.
- To provide services to churches and help the flow of communications across the Diocese, including the provision of various publications.
Key purpose of the role
To support, encourage and lead the governance of the financial aspects of the Diocese, supporting the Diocesan Secretary and the Bishop in the role as Chair of the Trustees. The Chair plays an important part in inspiring confidence in DBF financial management and helping to see that priorities are funded whilst maintaining sound and sustainable DBF finances and financial planning.
Key relationships
- Diocesan Bishop.
- Diocesan Secretary.
- Other members of the Bishop’s Senior Staff.
- Members of Bishop’s Council particularly members of the Finance, Audit and Personnel Committee.
- Other senior DBF officers e.g. Head of Finance.
Responsibilities and Activities
- Chairing the Annual meeting of the members of the Board of Finance at Synod (June in Cologne).
- Presenting the DBF Annual Report and Accounts with the Diocesan Secretary for approval at the AGM (June Diocesan Synod).
- Chairing the (normally online) annual meeting of the DBF Trustees at the Bishop’s Council which approves the budget and the financial plan.
- Chair and ensure the effective functioning of the Finance Audit and Personnel Committee of the DBF (normally 4-5 times a year – one meeting only in person.
- Encourage the financial control of the DBF reviewing and commenting on:
- Statutory and management accounting, financial and asset management, annual budgeting and the 5 year financial plan.
- Compliance with both company and charity law and other relevant legislation or regulations.
- The provision of a suitable risk register and risk analysis.
- In consultation with the Diocesan Bishop and Diocesan Secretary ensuring that the DBF sets strategy and policy objectives and implements agreed change as necessary.
- To participate in resolution of serious HR issues, within the framework of the DBF’s employment policies.
- To be prepared to assist on occasion in resolving disputes and appeals in the diocese.