We are The Brain Tumour Charity, the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally and the only charity in the UK taking on brain tumours on all three fronts: research, campaigning and support. We have an ambitious strategy, combining a significant plan for growth in income, with furthering support and advocacy for our community, alongside our pioneering and long-term investment in research.
Our vision is for people diagnosed with a brain tumour to live longer and better lives. So, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by this devastating disease. We’re accelerating cures for all brain tumours, driving the best lifelong care and raising our voices for change
About the Chair role
The Chair role provides strategic leadership to the Board of Trustees and to the wider charity in support of our vision to find a cure for brain tumours. The Chair of the Board of Trustees is a voluntary role. The Board of trustees are individually and collectively responsible, and ultimately accountable, for ensuring The Charity pursues its stated objects (purposes), and that The Charity complies with legislation and guidance, and manages risk.
The Chair will ensure that the Board functions as a collective and will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team of the charity to ensure the Board’s decisions are implemented and the charity is managed effectively in line with strategic objectives. The Chair will manage the Board’s relationship with the CEO and will act as an ambassador and a public face of the charity, working in partnership with the CEO. Under the leadership of the Chair, the Board of trustees supports the CEO and the senior leadership team through a delegated scheme of decision making, board and sub-committee meetings in alignment with the governing document of the Charity.
The Chair operates in a lead trustee role. All trustees work in accordance with The Charity Commission guidance and the six main duties of a Trustee
- Ensure your charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
- Comply with your charity’s governing document and the law
- Act in your charity’s best interests
- Manage your charity’s resources responsibly
- Act with reasonable care and skill
- Ensure your charity is accountable
As a key part of our charity team, the Chair will also
- Live and breathe The Charity’s values by being bold, collaborative and innovative, with a community-first approach to everything you do
- Work in alignment with our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Adhere to The Charity’s policies and procedures
- Ensure all relevant records are held in compliance with GDPR, The Fundraising Regulator Code of Practice, and The Brain Tumour Charity policies
Responsibilities of the Chair role
Strategic leadership
- Providing leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that trustees fulfil their individual and collective duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity
- Fostering and maintaining constructive relationships with and between the trustees
- Working with the Board to provide clear strategic direction for The Charity
- Working with the Board to ensure that the charity has maximum impact for the community it serves
- Ensuring that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure the sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability
- Working with the Board to monitor The Charity’s progress against agreed targets
- Working with the Board to ensure that the charity operates within its charitable objectives
- Working with the Board to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities and to ensure that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities and to manage and mitigate the risks
Supporting the performance and development of the CEO
- Holding regular 121 meeting with the CEO, acting as a Mentor and sounding board on issues raised
- Monitoring the CEO’s performance, and the performance of The Charity, against the Strategic, Financial and Impact Objectives which have been set
- Appraising the CEO’s Performance and reporting upon this to the Remuneration Committee and the Board of trustees
- Consulting and advising upon any management issues relating to The Charity
- Ensure that the CEO has the opportunity for professional development and has appropriate external professional support
Leading and attending board and committee meetings
- Leading quarterly Board meetings and attending or chairing specialist sub-committees. Currently this includes chairing the Remuneration Committee, attending the Finance Committee, and attending Governance & Ethics and other committees by invitation
- Setting the agenda of Board meetings in collaboration with the CEO, to ensure that meetings are well-planned, meaningful and reflect the strategic priorities of The Charity
- Leading board and committee discussions on key matters
- Using skills and experience to support the board in reaching sound decisions
Ensuring strong board governance
- Ensuring The Charity pursues its mission while adhering to its ethos and values
- Determining the overall direction and development of The Charity through strategic leadership and good governance
- Ensuring that The Charity defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
- Upholding the fiduciary duty invested in a trustee role, undertaking such duties in a way that adds to public confidence and trust in The Charity
- Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees, including ensuring that trustees receive strong onboarding support when joining The Charity
- Lead the Board in the development of policies and strategic plans for the charity, which take account of the external environment and ensure its long-term future as a relevant and financially sustainable organisation
- Acting in the best interests of The Charity, the community it serves, its team members, and volunteers
- Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document. For example, trust deed, constitution or memorandum and articles of association
- Instigate and/or approve policies and guidance governing operational activities
- Ensuring the organisation complies with charity and company law, and other relevant legislation or regulations
- Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation. This includes having appropriate policies and procedures in place.
- Assessing actions proposed by the CEO and Senior Leadership Team to meet strategic priorities
- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of governance, best practice and the charity sector
Risk and Resources Management
- Ensuring adequate processes and procedures are in place to identify, manage, and mitigate risk
- Regularly monitoring and evaluating the work of The Charity, seeking professional advice where appropriate
- Maintaining sound financial management and financial stability of The Charity’s resources
- Ensuring that the organisation only uses its resources for its charitable objects. The charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its objects even if these are considered worthwhile or charitable
- Protecting and managing the property of The Charity and ensuring its funds are invested properly
- Ensuring effective and efficient administration of The Charity and its resources, in whatever form
Supporting The Charity team
- Providing direction to the CEO and Senior Leadership team to ensure The Charity is a good employer
- Following formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the CEO
- Encouraging and leading on the promotion of equity, diversity and inclusion throughout The Charity