For more than three decades, the New Economics Foundation’s mission has been to transform the economy so it works for people and the planet. NEF works with people igniting change from a grassroots level and combines this with rigorous research to fight for change at the top.

Working at the heart of a growing ecosystem of organisations and institutions, NEF’s work is guided by six new economy principles:

• A thriving and healthy environment at the core of the new system: living within environmental limits and preventing further climate breakdown is core to NEF’s economic model and objectives
• Better and more equal living standards: the basics for a decent quality of life (living income, housing, health, social care, education and childcare) are guaranteed for all and provided collectively, and income and wealth inequality reduced, with improvements in wellbeing, regardless of class, race or gender
• Greater common and co-operative ownership: common ownership of public goods, essential infrastructure and services as the norm, with more businesses, assets and technologies in co-operative, mutual or employee ownership
• Progressive businesses: businesses are incentivised to act for the long term and public good, with a much greater focus on social and environmental responsibility and strong voice and power for workers built into their business models; a financial sector that works in the interests of people and planet
• Decentralised, active state: an active and enabling partner state that is significantly decentralised with strong local institutions that are rooted in and accountable to the communities they serve
• Empowered and active communities: citizens are engaged in democracy and economy, with greater power to act collectively and make decisions within their communities, and the country, to improve their lives

NEF has pioneered ideas and practices including co-production, local money flow analysis, social return on investment, ethical investment and social auditing. It has helped give birth to a range of organisations to carry on its work, including the Jubilee 2000 Debt Campaign, the Ethical Trading Initiative, AccountAbility, Time Banking UK, the Community Development Finance Association and the New Economy Organisers Network.

NEF's current programmes of work are focused on three missions to address the most pressing issues we face today while moving the economic system closer to the Foundation's 2040 goals:

1. A new social settlement – ensuring we all have the basics of a decent quality of life
2. A Green New Deal – cutting carbon emissions, boosting nature and creating good jobs
3. Democratic Economy – Giving us an equal stake in the places where we live and work

Examples of initiatives include:

Incomes – securing adoption of Living Income policies and establishing social security reform as a mechanism for addressing the cost of living crisis.

Universal services – building support for universal provision of services such as social care and childcare.

Housing – addressing the housing crisis through Homes For Us, a grassroots campaign to build three million new social homes.

Transition to a green economy – how to fund net zero, ensuring the transition benefits the least well off in society and communication strategies to establish the green transition as a positive, not a cost.

Local transformation – work with community groups and local government to make practical improvements to local economies while pushing for greater devolution.

With Miatta Fahnbulleh standing down as Chief Executive after eight years in post, Dr Danny Sriskandarajah (former CEO of Oxfam GB) will join the Foundation in January 2024. This time of change for NEF presents an exciting chance to re-evaluate itself as an organisation, as well as its external focus, ahead of the next UK general election.

The new Chair will be a well-regarded, credible, and effective ambassador for NEF - one who can help in ongoing work to strategically position NEF at both national and regional levels. They will provide inclusive leadership to the Board of the New Economics Foundation, supporting Trustees to provide effective governance and oversight of NEF’s strategic direction as well as the management of resources and risks.

The role is supported by two other Honorary Officers - the Deputy Chair and the Treasurer. Individual Trustees may also provide guidance on communications, research, policy change and campaign work. As well as acting as a general Trustee, the Chair’s specific responsibilities include to:

• Work with Trustees and the Chief Executive to ensure that there is a clear and shared understanding among Trustees, staff and stakeholders of NEF's vision, mission, charitable and strategic objectives
• Work with the Chief Executive to ensure that the Board has robust and timely information to enable it to make well informed, robust decisions and demonstrate the impact of NEF’s work in society
• Oversee the performance of the Board and the CEO, ensuring accountability as well as constructive challenge
• Provide advocacy for NEF in ways that complement the role of the Chief Executive, particularly within influential networks and with key stakeholders, with a view to further strengthen its credibility and strategic position both regionally and nationally
• Effectively communicate and champion NEF’s twin track approach of delivering evidence-based change at both the grass roots level and within established power structures

The New Economics Foundation is looking for an outstanding new Chair to succeed the late Lord Bob Kerslake. They will bring an in-depth understanding of public affairs and be able to act as a credible external ambassador.

The new Chair will be possess the below qualities:

• Experience in political influencing, reputation management and working effectively with the media
• Ability to provide inclusive leadership in the boardroom and representing NEF externally, as well as with communities at the grassroots across the UK
• Understanding the difference between the non-executive and executive role, as well as the importance of the relationship between a Chair and CEO
• Appreciation of non-profit environments and how smaller, lean entities operate
• Strong alignment with NEF’s strategic priorities and model for change, as well as willingness to communicate NEF’s approach convincingly to a wide range of audiences, including those operating within the policy and political systems
• Demonstrable commitment to championing equality and diversity

The successful candidate will be excited at the prospect of joining NEF and working with an outstanding new CEO, as well as a skilled and committed Board, to raise NEF’s profile and drive the transformative initiatives for which NEF advocates.

Keren Jones, Acting Chair
Alison Cowan, Acting Deputy Chair
Deniz Uğur
Laurie Laybourn-Langton
Martin Koehring
Mary Riddell (Board Observer)
Richard Bryars
Tariq Kazi
Tim Jenkins

You can find out more about the Board here.

NEF is actively recruiting additional Trustees with a focus on expertise in new economy thinking, campaigning and mobilising for change, and communications.

This position is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses can be claimed. The time commitment is estimated to be initially 2-3 days per month maximum, to work with the new CEO and Board to manage transition including effective relationship management and one-off activities, such as Trustee recruitment. This should then reduce to c. 2 days per month. Of this, most can be flexibly scheduled, the exception being chairing quarterly Board meetings and one Sub-committee.