Successful Applications: Trustee of a famous international charity

In this series we look at applications that won people a role, and break down what made them so effective. This candidate outlined exceptionally high-level experience and showed a set of skills that spanned the commercial and non-profit worlds.

Comic Relief

Comic Relief is a major charity based in the UK, with a vision of a just world free from poverty. Since its launch in 1985, the mission has been "to drive change through the power of entertainment." They were seeking new Trustees with a genuine passion for Comic Relief’s vision, who are able to add value to the charity through expertise, counsel and sound judgement.

Specific expertise

Comic Relief wanted trustees with demonstrable experience in one of the following areas – digital, marketing, commerce or civil society.

A recognised leader in diversity in both the UK and the US in recent years. In 2016/2017, I was the principal draftsperson for the review done by Sir John Parker on increasing ethnic representation in UK boards, known as "Beyond One by '21" and have given Parliamentary evidence in support of D&I. A member of the Islington Employment Comm., which looked at ways to increase the employability of Islington residents. On a global level, I work regularly with the UN Global Compact on sustainability.

Covering letter

I am committed to making positive change in British and American society, and globally by bringing my personal and professional skills to bear on challenges that we all face and need to address.

I have been fortunate enough to reach the highest echelons of my profession, and have served on, and advised, boards of directors and executive management committees on a range of matters. Most importantly, I have been involved in developing and executing strategies for both profit and not-for-profit organisations.

I believe that I have been able to exhibit that most clearly in the work that I have done for the UN Global Compact with respect to corporate sustainability, and also as a Trustee of Prostate Cancer UK. In those roles, respectively, I have been able to become a leader in the legal profession, recognised globally, for creating a pathway for lawyers to be at the heart of embedding sustainability into corporate strategy; and in my role at Prostate Cancer UK have been a driving and guiding force behind the "Stronger Knowing More" campaign, aimed at increasing awareness amongst the black community about the risks of prostate cancer.

I have always sought to align the commercial and the civic worlds, and have the credibility, personality and commitment to do both.

You can see more of our Successful Applications series by clicking here.

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