Trustee - Finance focus

Child Bereavement UK, established in 1994, helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. We support children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying. 

We provide training to professionals in health and social care, education, the emergency services, and the voluntary and corporate sectors, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families. 

Our vision is for all families to have the support they need to rebuild their lives, when a child grieves or when a child dies.

We have a strong and stable balance sheet, hugely respected brand, operationally sound bereavement services operation and a very capable fundraising team. However, we also face significant challenges as we fight to increase our income in a difficult fundraising environment coupled with an uncertain macro-economic outlook both in the UK and globally. The role the Board of Trustees fulfils is critical in providing strong governance for the organisation and support and guidance to the CEO and senior management team in delivering strategy, ensuring financial sustainability and upholding a positive culture for the organisation.

As a result of Trustees completing their tenure with the Charity, we now are seeking a new trustee to join our Board, with a particular focus on finance. 

This Trustee will:

• act as Treasurer for Child Bereavement UK and will bring a depth of Finance skills to the organisation; it is expected that they will be appropriately qualified in Finance
• have an ability to review and appraise the financial position as well as support the CFO and the senior management team as they develop the financial strategy and manage overall financial sustainability

Additionally, as a Trustee of Child Bereavement UK your duties will be to:

• ensure that the charity complies with its governing document, Charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• ensure that the charity pursues its objects as defined in its governing document
• safeguard the assets of the charity, protect and manage its property and ensure proper investment of the charity’s funds
• ensure that its resources are applied exclusively in pursuance of its objects
• contribute actively to the Board of Trustees role in giving firm strategic direction to the charity, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets
• safeguard the good name and values of the charity
• ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity
• appoint the Chief Executive and monitor their performance

and in addition to the above statutory duties:

• use any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions, including scrutinising papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues on which you have special expertise
• attend quarterly Board meetings and read any papers circulated in advance of meetings
• participate in sub-committees as required at the request of the Chair
• represent the Charity at events or meetings and to act as a spokesperson for the charity as required from time to time at the request of the Chair or Chief Executive
• keep informed about the activities of the charity and wider issues which affect its work

Person specification

Essential:

• Financial qualification
• Commitment to the charity, its vision, mission and values
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to effectively carry out the role of Trustee
• Strategic vision
• Ability to think creatively
• Sound, independent judgement with a willingness to speak your mind
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• Ability to form close working relationships based on honesty, respect and trust
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Commitment to the principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership
• Ability to offer strong support to staff, while standing back from everyday activities.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of charity finances
• Knowledge of the field of work in which the charity is involved
• Wider understanding of and involvement with the voluntary sector and other networks

How to apply

Please email our Executive Manager, [email protected] with your interest in this role, together with a brief summary of your background and suitability as Trustee; we will then contact you to discuss further, as appropriate.

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The Charity is committed to creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone, and one that challenges all forms of oppression or discrimination including those based on age, gender or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity leave, disability, race (which includes nationality, citizenship, ethnic or national origins), religion/faith or belief, sexual orientation (collectively known in law as the ‘protected characteristics’), as well as any oppression or discrimination based on other physical characteristics or impairments, occupation, income, wealth, or unrelated criminal convictions.