The Methodist Independent Schools Trust (MIST) owns and operates ten Methodist independent schools located throughout the United Kingdom on behalf of the Methodist Church. With an annual turnover of c. £100m, MIST is one of the largest educational charities in the UK. It seeks to deliver an inclusive education that is focused strongly on both the individual and the community experience, shaped by Christian values.

MIST schools vary in size, with Woodhouse Grove School and Truro School serving over 1,000 pupils, whereas the two stand-alone preps each have just over 100 pupils. Most schools in the group are co-educational, offering continuity of education for both boys and girls. The Trust has just one all-girls school - Kent College Pembury - and the majority of schools also offer a boarding education.

Although the ten schools are each registered independently with the Department for Education, they come together as a single legal entity under the auspices of MIST. MIST has full legal responsibility for the operation of the schools, the school property, and all other matters relating to the schools. MIST respects the local contexts in which its schools operate, delegating operational control to the school leadership teams while offering support, advice and investment centrally. MIST also provides opportunities for the schools to work more closely together, for example by hosting an annual Schools Conference, termly meetings of Heads and Chairs of Governors, a Chaplains' Conference, and specialist day events for specific groups of staff.

MIST sits within a broader ecosystem of Methodist Schools, alongside other Methodist independent Schools, the Methodist Academies and Schools Trust (MAST), the Epworth Education Trust (EET) and the Inspiring Lives Education Trust (ILET). Across these four groups, the Methodist Church touches every corner of the education sector in the UK. The Church mission statement is clear: through its Schools, the Methodist Church seeks to do all the good it can for all the people it can.

MIST is the entity that runs and is responsible for the Trust Schools and is thus the legally recognised proprietor of each of them. Acting in accordance with with the Trust's Instrument of Government, MIST Trustees support the schools in the achievement of their objectives and constructively challenge them to be ambitious in striving for excellence in their stated goals.

The purpose of the Finance Committee is to advise the Trust on all financial matters pertaining to the Trust. This will cover the current and projected performance of existing Trust activities (both School and Office) and the financial implications of any new proposed activities. The Committee has delegated authority from the Trust to consider and make decisions on certain matters, whereas in other areas its responsibility is to make recommendations to the Trust. It brings insights into the financial health of the charity, supports and challenges the executive team, and suggests options and alternatives around key strategic financial decisions.

The Committee Chair leads the Committee in the execution of its duties, playing a key role in enabling Trustees to fulfil their financial responsibilities. The Committee has delegated authority from the Trust to consider and make decisions on certain matters, whereas in other areas its responsibility is to make recommendations to the Trust. It brings insights into the financial health of the charity, supports and challenges the executive team, and suggests options and alternatives around key strategic financial decisions.

Chair of the Finance Committee

With the incumbent, Dr Neil Tunnicliffe, due to rotate off the Board in 2024, MIST is seeking a new Chair for its Finance Committee.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced Board-level operator with a background in strategic financial and business leadership. They will have experience of chairing meetings covering complex material and including participants with a range of perspectives. Having operated at the highest levels of large, complex organisations, they will have the ability to distil data, cut through to the key issues and secure decisions and recommendations as appropriate. Candidates are not expected to have worked in the charity or education sectors, nor does the Committee Chair role require someone with a professional financial qualification. It is more important that applicants have the people and leadership skills required to get the most out of the talented group of people who comprise the Committee. 

Trustee (Finance)

MIST is also seeking a financially qualified individual with strategic-level leadership experience who will join the Board as a Trustee and member of the Finance Committee. 

The ideal candidate will have a strong professional background in financial leadership, gained in any sector, with substantial experience in strategic finance, funding and financial risk management. The Board is interested in considering people from a range of backgrounds, including those who have worked in professional services as, for example, Audit Partners, as well as those who have led functional finance teams within large, complex organisations. Candidates are not expected to have worked in the charity or education sectors. 

In addition to the Trustee, MIST is also looking to appoint an Independent Member for the Finance Committee. While the Trustee will sit on both the Trust Board and the Finance Committee, the Independent Member will only join the latter and will not be a formally appointed Trustee. 

There is no faith requirement for these positions, however candidates must feel a resonance with the mission, vision and values of MIST and the wider Methodist Schools. The ethos and values statement can be found here.

A full list of current MIST Trustees can be found here. 

The Finance Committee should comprise at least six members on the recommendation of the Nominations and Governance Committee as follows:

• Chair of the Committee (must be a member (i.e. a Trustee) of MIST)
• One or more MIST Trustee
• A Chair of Governors of a MIST school
• A Chair of a MIST school Finance Committee
• At least one ‘independent’ member (i.e. not a governor or employee of a MIST school and not a member of MIST)

These roles are unremunerated, however reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The main Board and the Finance Committee each meet four times per year in London. The Finance Committee usually convenes in advance of the main Board. Virtual attendance can be accommodated where necessary, though the preference is for in-person engagement.

The Committee Chair will also be expected to join the Trustee Executive Committee, which meets a further four times per year, usually online.

All Trustees are expected to visit at least one MIST school during the course of each year. Both appointments are for a three-year term, which can be renewed twice at the discretion of the Board.

*Please note that the Independent Member will not be a formally appointed Trustee and will therefore not attend the main Board meetings. 

MIST is headquartered in London, however its schools are located throughout the UK. Applicants can be based anywhere in the UK provided they are able to commit to regular in-person meetings in London. 

MIST welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.