RE:ACT is an emergency and crisis response charity operating in the UK and overseas which takes teams of highly-skilled volunteers, many of whom come from a military or emergency services background, and rapidly deploys them to remote and vulnerable communities affected by disaster, crisis or conflict. Between 2020 and 2021, 1,240 volunteers were deployed, directly impacting 167,720 beneficiaries in a multitude of different ways. Among the charity's current activities is food distribution for women and children affected by the war in Ukraine.

RE:ACT repurposes the hard-earned skills and experience of military veterans, blue light responders and skilled civilians through bespoke training courses and embeds them into a closely-knit cohort of skilled volunteer disaster responders. There are currently 800 trained responders, of which over 200 are trained to the highest level to deal with the most complex disasters. All volunteers go through a rigorous selection and training process, adding to their existing skills and experience with scenario-based humanitarian training, producing some of the finest emergency and crisis response teams in the world.

This training builds the capability of RE:ACT to deploy into highly challenging locations just hours after disaster has struck. This allows it to quickly and effectively assess complex situations and provide dynamic situational awareness to provide the most effective solutions, wherever the need is greatest. These volunteers have earned their reputation through international deployments as well as through operations in the UK. UK operations are also assisted by RE:ACT's community of around 2,000 domestic volunteers, who can be called on for UK-based charity support and outreach. During the pandemic (as part of the charity's Op-RE:ACT project) these domestic volunteers were instrumental in assisting the UK’s emergency services and critical infrastructure by supporting the distribution of over 10 million items of PPE, and delivering over 382 tonnes of food aid to communities in need across the UK.

RE:ACT works collaboratively with partners on the ground in affected communities to ensure that even those in the hardest to reach locations receive the support they need. Working with its partners, it uses its unique experience of military logistics to provide strong humanitarian action. Once a crisis has passed, its goal is to train and equip local communities so they can be prepared for future disasters. RE:ACT’s mission is to provide humanitarian action, in the fastest time, for those hardest to reach and most vulnerable.

Becoming a Trustee for RE:ACT is an exciting and fulfilling opportunity. The role of a Trustee is to ensure that RE:ACT fulfils its duty to its beneficiaries and delivers on its vision, mission and values. The Board of Trustees is both jointly and individually responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, its financial health, the probity of its activities and developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. 

Trustees focus on RE:ACT’s strategic direction and avoid becoming involved in day-to-day operational decisions and matters. Where Trustees do need to become involved in operational matters, they should separate their strategic and operational roles. Trustees work as part of the Board, leading discussions and providing guidance on new initiatives, particularly in areas where they have specific skills, knowledge or expertise.

To complement the current skillsets of the Board, RE:ACT is looking for Trustees either with a commercial background, investment experience, an understanding of the charity sector, or leadership experience in a humanitarian organisation.

Commercial: Candidates will bring a broad, commercial perspective and angle to Board discussions, gained from senior leadership experience in for-profit organisations.

Investment: Applicants will have experience in investment management and be able to provide input on the effective management of funds, ensuring that there's a sound financial basis for Board decisions.

Charity sector: Candidates will bring experience in the charity sector, whether as an executive or non-executive, and understand how such organisations operate. The Board is also open to hearing from those who have worked, or continue to work, in the humanitarian space but this would need to be at a senior level within a large, well-established organisation.

On a personal level, applicants will be committed to the aims and values of RE:ACT Disaster Response, and an appreciation of how its charitable aims are met through a military approach.

General Sir Nick Parker, Chair
Andy McLean
Audrey Fauvel
Kate Holt
Lizzy Stileman
Nick Forthergill
Sara George

You can find out more about current Board members here.

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Board meets four times per year, normally on a weekday afternoon, and also has an away weekend. Trustees can attend some meetings virtually, but must attend at least one in person per year. The appointment is for a two-year term, which can be renewed at the discretion of the Board.

This organisation is based in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and meetings will take place in person or virtually. Candidates will therefore be UK-based.