Role Description and Person Specification
Role Title: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Role Type: Governance & Leadership
Salary: Unremunerated (reasonable expenses paid)
Term: A fixed term of 3 years with the option to extend for a further 3 years
Time Commitment: A minimum of 2 days a month
Role Purpose
The Chair of the Board of Trustees provides leadership and direction so that the Board fulfils its legal and regulatory responsibilities, ensuring good governance, clear direction and achievement of the charity’s vison, values and strategic objectives. The Chair works closely in partnership with and supports Trustees, the Chief Executive, Executive Team and Sustrans’ employees. The Chair will manage the relationship between the Board and the rest of the charity and be an ambassador for Sustrans.
Main Responsibilities of the Chair
- Enabling the Board to fulfil its responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of Sustrans. Ensuring that the charity complies with its objects, charity and company law and associated regulation, including the Charity Governance Code. Leading the Board to ensure the overall health, sustainability and reputation of the organisation.
- In collaboration with the Chief Executive, lead the Board in the development of clear medium and long term objectives and plans to meet Sustrans strategic goals. Ensure that the Board receives assurance that these objectives and plans are progressing efficiently and effectively, with clear lines of sight into accountabilities.
- Enable the Board, and provide leadership to the charity, to live its ‘For Everyone’ values – Sustrans’ commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Be responsible for an effective Board, which provides support and guidance to the Chief Executive and Executive Team, fostering strong working relationships.
- Agree an annual cycle of meetings for the Board and its Committees, ensuring members receive transparent and timely advice to enable them to make informed decisions.
The Chair will also:
- Maintain careful oversight of any risk to the reputation, financial standing or cultural health of the organisation
- Have oversight of the Board to ensure adherence to and compliance of key corporate policies (e.g. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Health & Safety, Safeguarding)
- Ensure the charity has an effective profile and relationship with supporters, stakeholders, partners, potential clients and funders/donors
- Lead a regular review of the effectiveness of the Board, its structure, membership and ways of working
- Be an effective advocate and ambassador for the charity
- Supportively review the contribution of individual Trustees and, as necessary, to mentor or encourage their take up of development
- Lead the process of constructively supporting the performance of the Chief
Chair Person Specification
- Committed to Sustrans’ vision and strategy – including Sustrans ambition to be an organisation ‘For Everyone’
- Experience of operating at a strategic leadership level
- Significant Board experience at a national level – either as Chair, Deputy-Chair or equivalent
- Entrepreneurial experience or aptitude
- Successful influencer at the highest level
- A convenor, able to leverage strong professional networks
- Effective and inspiring communicator
- Qualities of integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness and honesty would particularly welcome as would applications from those who have experience of leading a large, dynamic, and dispersed organisation.
Committees of the Board:
- Audit & Risk Committee
- Finance & Performance Committee
- Estates Committee
- Remuneration Committee
Sustrans is a charity ‘for everyone’ and the Board is particularly interested in welcoming applications from people who are currently underrepresented on our Board and/or can show significant achievement and impact in promoting diversity and inclusion.