The Chair will hold the Board to account for the charity’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that each Trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. The Chair will also support and, where appropriate, challenge the professional staff and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works to achieve agreed objectives. They will act as an ambassador and the public face of the charity in partnership with other designated Board members.
In addition to the responsibilities of a Trustee, the Chair will be expected to:
- Provide leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring that the charity has maximum impact in the use of its funds to support the disadvantaged within the local community
- Ensure that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity
- Ensure that the Board operates within its charitable objectives and provides a clear strategic direction for the charity
- Ensure that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities and manage and mitigate the risks
- Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability
- Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process
- Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, longterm interests of the charity and that the Board takes collective ownership
- Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees
- Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented
The Chair will also be expected to act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity, and act as a spokesperson for the organisation when appropriate. This may involve representing the charity at external functions, meetings, and events, as well as maintaining close relationships with key members of local and regional government, the community and business sectors, and with other key agencies and influencers.