Overview
Our mission is to build the foundations of a society that helps everyone stay healthier for longer. We back people and ideas to drive more equitable health, investing in fresh thinking and bold action.
Historically associated with Guy’s and St. Thomas’ hospitals, and still working in close partnership with Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, today we work innovatively and collaboratively with all parts of society, from communities and grassroots organisations to medical organisations, universities, charities, government and private companies.
Our work takes place in the South London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark – it is a place that combines enduring inequalities and solutions that have shaped the world. In the heart of the capital, Lambeth and Southward are two densely populated boroughs, and have a rich social and ethnic mix.
The opportunities
We are seeking three new Trustees to join our Board, to support our continued efforts to build the foundations of a society that helps everyone stay healthier, for longer.
The Foundation is focused on three core business areas of urban health, investments and charitable fundraising and funding, achieving impact through five external brands, and supported by internal, enabling functions. This year, through our three NHS charities, we helped Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust to deliver better, faster and fairer care for patients. We also supported the staff who work so hard to deliver that care across the Trust’s hospitals and community sites. We have an ambitious 10-year fundraising strategy, that will see us achieve even greater impact in this area.
We continued to find solutions to some of the biggest health issues found in urban areas. We particularly focus on issues which disproportionately affect the health of those living on lower incomes and in racialised communities. To help to address this injustice, our Impact on Urban Health programmes strengthened our work in and alongside communities in Lambeth and Southwark and forged effective partnerships with local councils.
Role and responsibilities
Mission and strategy:
- in line with its charitable purposes, analysing and contributing positively to the mission, strategic development and vision of the Foundation and long-term plans for the Foundation and its beneficiaries;
- holding the Chief Executive and Executive Team to account for the effective management and delivery of the Foundation’s strategic aims and objectives, where appropriate;
- safeguarding the good name and reputation of the Foundation;
- building and maintaining close relations between the Foundation’s various constituencies and stakeholder groups to promote the effective operation of the Foundation’s activities;
- promoting the Foundation and its work to fulfil its charitable objects and provide public benefit;
- managing the Foundation’s resources so as to optimise impact and the delivery of the Foundation’s objects; and
- setting the tone for the Foundation through leadership, behaviour and performance.
Governance and Board activities
- participating fully in the work of the Board, ensuring the collective responsibility of the Board;
- attending and participating in the scheduled and ad hoc meetings of the Board;
- membership and, where relevant, chairing of Foundation committees;
- maintaining the Trustees’ commitment to board diversity, renewal and succession management in line with the Foundation’s governing documents and the Foundation’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan;
- participating in a board induction, any training and other evaluation identified as an individual and as part of the Board or Foundation committee;
- undergoing an individual and Board performance appraisal, and attending any additional training highlighted as a result of the evaluation process;
- maintaining absolute confidentiality about all aspects of the Trustees’ business, bearing in mind the overriding legal obligations placed upon trustees;
- ensuring that appropriate procedures, processes and controls are in place and followed;
- managing potential conflicts of interest to ensure probity is maintained and there is appropriate transparency; and
- identifying and assessing risks and opportunities for the Foundation, determining which are appropriate or desirable.
Performance management
- ensuring the effective implementation of Board decisions by the Chief Executive and the Executive Team, where appropriate;
- ensuring a fully effective and appropriate system for the recruitment, appointment and monitoring of the work and activities of the Chief Executive and, where applicable, other members of the Executive Team;
- setting challenging objectives for improving performance and monitoring performance against those targets; and
- paying due regard to ensure that any key performance indicators are in alignment with the Foundation’s culture and mission.