The role of a Trustee is to strategically oversee the management and administration of WIG, ensuring it is run in the interests of its beneficiaries. Trustees are responsible for the Charity’s mission, vision and leadership in support of the CEO and staff. Trustees are responsible for the effective governance of the organisation, working collectively as a Board to support the executive in achieving the agreed strategy and objectives. Trustees act as ambassadors and the public face of the organisation, in partnership with the CEO.

• To be jointly and severally responsible for the organisation’s overall governance, strategic direction, financial health, and probity of its activities.
• To develop the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the Articles of Association, legal and regulatory guidelines.
• To ensure the organisation’s governance is of the highest possible standard.
• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees’ role in giving strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• To safeguard the organisation’s good name and values.
• To appoint the CEO and monitor his or her performance.
• Ensuring the Board of Trustees, through its composition, can publicly demonstrate its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

As well as the various statutory duties, any Trustee should make full use of any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board of Trustees make good decisions.

The Board must always act in the best interests of WIG, using reasonable care and skill in their work as trustees, and using their personal skills and experience as needed to ensure that the charity is effective and efficient.

As a small charity, Trustees will sometimes need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may include scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or addressing other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise.

The evidence provided by applicants must include sufficient details that clearly demonstrate how they meet the Essential and Desirable Criteria below, to the extent possible. This must include reference to specific examples of actions and achievements; it is not sufficient to simply provide a list of duties and responsibilities. These responses will be developed and discussed with those candidates invited for an interview.

Essential criteria

Trustees will be recruited to provide a range of skills and experience needed by the organisation. In addition, candidates should have the general skills and attributes of a Trustee

• A commitment to the organisation’s goals
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort 
• Strategic vision 
• Good, independent judgement 
• An ability to think creatively 
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team 
• A willingness to speak their mind 
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship 
• A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

Desirable criteria

We are looking to appoint a trustee and are interested in hearing from leaders within WIG member organisations who have experience of, and an interest in, cross-sector collaboration. We are seeking candidates with expertise in commercial finance and/or regional government, who can bring strategic insight, strong networks and an understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing organisations across the UK. In particular, we are looking for candidates with experience in:

• Commercial finance – Who can support our financial sustainability and contribute insight on commercial strategy, growth, and partnerships; and/or
• Regional government – Who can support our work across regions and nations, bringing knowledge of place-based policy, devolved governance, and regional economic development.