Job Aim
To chair the board of Trustees, providing governance and strategic oversight to ensure that the Foundation is well placed to deliver on its mission, and strategic priorities
- To ensure that the Foundation’s strategic priorities, aims and objectives are relevant and ambitious, and in accordance with the governing document and any legal and regulatory guidelines.
- To chair Board meetings and provide leadership to the Trustees, ensuring that they contribute effectively both individually and as a group.
- To work with the Chief Executive and executive team to ensure that trustee decisions are implemented effectively and the Foundation leadership supports the delivery of its ambitions.
Responsibilities
Including but not limited to:
Trustee Board leadership
- Chair Trustee meetings and chair or contribute to other sub committees as agreed/required
- Meet with individual Trustees annually to discuss their contribution, tenure and development
- Support the induction of new Trustee members, and development of existing Trustees to ensure they fulfil their duties and responsibilities
- Regularly assess skill and experience requirements for the board as a whole in the context of the organisation’s changing needs, and oversee recruitment of new Trustee members as required
- Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best long-term interests of the Foundation
- Ensure the board operates within its charitable objectives and provides a clear strategic direction for the Foundation
External and internal engagement
- Represent the organisation when required at meetings and events, in support of our external profile and reputation
- Attend internal meetings and events to provide effective links between the non-executive and executive teams
Chief Executive liaison
- Work closely with the CE (and other key leadership team members), to discuss strategic priorities, and ensure that the organisation is future focussed and maximises its relevance and impact
- Oversee CE role, providing advice and counsel, discuss formative plans, challenges and delivery against priority areas
- Meet at least annually to review performance and support development
- Lead on the appointment and succession planning of the CE
Governance
- Liaise with the CE, and senior executive team to agree agendas for Board meetings and to ensure that the business is covered efficiently and effectively at those meetings
- Ensure the Board of Trustees fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the Foundation and that decisions are implemented effectively
- Represent the Board of Trustees and act on their behalf in authorising action and signing documents in accordance with the relevant mandates (some specifics highlighted below)
- Review the effectiveness of the Board of Trustees on an annual basis (with the Staff, Nominations and Governance Committee)
Delegated Powers for Urgent Actions and Decisions
The Chairman (or Deputy Chairman in their absence) has a delegated authority to act between Trustee meetings as follows:
- To call urgent Board/Committee meetings as necessary
- To undertake any urgent action or steps necessary to safeguard the Foundation, its assets or reputation, including any steps in connection with the suspension of the Chief Executive, incurring unbudgeted expenditure not exceeding £100k, or liquidating assets not exceeding £5m
- Where reasonably possible, to consult with such other trustees as they can reasonably make contact within the time available to discuss such action with them and consider the issue of whether professional advice would be appropriate before taking the step or action
- To report formally (usually by email) as soon as practicable to the Trustees, and to ensure that the circumstances and the decision are noted in the minutes of the next scheduled meeting of the Board