About the Role
Whilst all Trustees are collectively responsible for the decisions and management of the charity, and jointly and severally liable for their actions, some view the position of the Chair as the ‘first amongst equals’, an ambassador, and the public face of the Charity.
It is imperative that the Chair provides effective leadership and management to the Board of Trustees (the Board), enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, safeguarding the vision and values of Parkinson’s UK and ensuring that decisions are correctly made (in accordance with the Charity’s governing documents and relevant legislation or regulations). The Chair should also lead Trustee discussions on the manner in which the Charity continues to provide public benefit, and how such provision is continuously monitored by the Board.
Purpose of the Role
In addition to their responsibilities as a Trustee of the Charity, the Chair is also an Officer of the Board. The Chair must work in partnership with the Chief Executive and Company Secretary to ensure that Trustee decisions are acted upon and that the Charity is managed effectively.
The Chair and Chief Executive should be particularly sympathetic to the boundaries between the role of the Board in developing and agreeing the strategic direction of the Charity and the Executive in applying that strategy to the day-to-day operations of the Charity.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
- Lead the Trustees and Chief Executive to develop strategic plans for the charity
- Provide support and leadership to the Chief Executive with a view to ensuring that the Charity is run in accordance with the decisions of the Trustees and the Charity’s governing document and appropriate legislation or regulation
- Undertake a leadership role with a view to ensuring that the Board fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the charity, including liaising with the Trustee members of Finance & Performance Committee to ensure high standards of governance of the Charity’s financial affairs
- Liaise with the Company Secretary, Chief Executive and Governance Trustee (where appropriate) to lead on the planning, setting and chairing of Trustee meetings
- Liaise with the Company Secretary, Chief Executive and Governance Trustee (where appropriate) to draft of agendas and supporting papers for Board meetings and AGMs and ensure that the business is covered efficiently and effectively in those meetings
- Facilitate change and address conflict within the Board and within the Charity, liaising with the Chief Executive to achieve this;
- Implement an effective communication strategy that includes the needs of staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders
- Act in between full Board meetings in authorising action to be taken intra vires banking transactions and legal documents in accordance with relevant mandates
- Maintain Trustees commitment to board renewal and succession management, in line with the Charity’s governing document and/or current best practice
- Lead on, with the assistance of the Company Secretary and Chief Executive (where appropriate), the development and implementation of procedures for Trustee induction, development, training, and appraisal
- Ensure that the performance of the Board as a whole, and the Trustees individually is reviewed on an annual basis
- When required, act as a mentor to Executive Officers
- Ensure the appointment of Trustee members to committees
- Manage the appointment process for the Chief Executive and monitor his/her performanceSupport and appraise the performance of the Chief Executive and other senior members of the Executive as appropriate
- Lead disciplinary and appointment committees, in line with the Charity’s agreed procedures
- Represent the Charity at functions, meetings and in the press and broadcasting media, in line with the Charity’s agreed media strategy
- Ensure that the Board’s work is inclusive and accessible to all