Role Descriptions

Location:
Guildford

Expenses:
These roles are unremunerated but reasonable expenses incurred in the execution of trustee duties will be reimbursed.

Time commitment:
The Trustee Board meets at least four times a year with one ‘away day’ style meeting. We meet in person within Surrey, but if required individuals can seek to attend virtually.

Chair: The Chair would normally meet monthly with the CEO (in person or remotely) and represent the charity effectively to external stakeholders, donors, the public and at events.

Trustee (Finance): The Financial Trustee would lead our Finance, Remuneration, and Investments Committee which also meets quarterly ahead of each main Board meeting. Other ad hoc meetings, eg with the company’s auditors, are arranged as required.

The willingness and capability to devote the time needed to fulfil the role is therefore essential.

Equality statement:
Catalyst Support is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from all members of the community. 

Chair

What’s involved?

As our new Chair, and also as a Director of Catalyst Support Limited, you will play a key role in leading the charity in fulfilling our vision.

  • The role of Chair is to provide skilled leadership and direction to the board of trustees, and will:

    • Work in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer to ensure that Catalyst Support is well governed, and that it remains fit to develop and deliver our ambitious strategy.

    • Lead on the development of the Board.

    • Monitors the progress of the sub-committees involving trustees.

    • Ensure the Annual Report and the Financial Audit is completed, agreed by the trustees and submitted in a timely manner to the Charity Commission.

    • Oversees the “Cloud” for trustee documents and policies.

    You will be joining the team at an exciting time in the growth and development of the charity, which is in a healthy financial position with a strong senior leadership team and a committed and capable Board of Trustees, including a skilled Deputy Chair.

    The charity has over 100 staff and a similar number of volunteer workers, plus a patron, His Honour Christopher Critchlow, Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey and a past High Sheriff of the county.

    This role is a truly exciting opportunity to help develop our people and services to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the mental health and wellbeing sector.

    We will ensure an effective handover from our current Chair and a tailored induction programme to help the successful candidate fulfil the promise of this opportunity.

    The Chair is appointed for an initial term of five years with options to extend thereafter.

  • The successful candidate will likely have the following:

    • Proven experience in a leadership or governance role, demonstrating the ability to lead and inspire a diverse group of trustees and stakeholders.

    • It is desirable to have had non-executive and/or executive leadership experience at Board level either in the private or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Experience of ensuring an organisation, business, or charity complies with its governing document, commercial or charity law, and other relevant legislation or regulation.                           

    • Experience of chairing and facilitating meetings of a strategic and/or business nature, and monitoring that decisions taken and agreed by others are implemented.

    • Ability to think strategically, provide constructive challenge and build cohesion, plus the ability to help set and implement the charity's strategic direction.

    • An innovative and creative mindset.

    • An understanding of charity governance principles and a commitment to ensuring the highest standards of governance and probity.

    • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

    • Proficiency in people management, including the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse groups of stakeholders (internal and external).

    • Strong financial acumen and the ability to exercise sound judgement.

    • Leadership

    • A genuine commitment to and passion for the mission and values of the charity.

    • High ethical standards and integrity, with the ability to lead by example and uphold the charity's reputation. Note: The Trustee Board embraces the Nolan Principals (1994), namely selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

    • A history of impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.

    • A commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the charity and its governance structure.

    • A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, fostering teamwork and consensus.

    • Resilience in the face of challenges and the ability to make tough decisions when necessary.

    • Willingness to be available to for advice and guidance as and when required.

Trustee (Finance)

What’s involved?

As our financial trustee, and a director of Catalyst Support Ltd, you’ll advise the Board on financial matters including sound financial practices and interpret financial statements for other trustees.

We will ensure an effective handover from our current financial trustee and an induction programme into the charity and its work. As with all new trustees, and in accordance with our policy, the appointment is for an initial term of three years with options to extend thereafter.

  • The role will include

    • Chairing the Finance, Remuneration, and Investments Committee and setting its agenda.

    • Guiding the Board in its financial duties and in the approval of budgets, accounts and financial statements.

    • Providing active support as required to the Finance Manager and helping to ensure financial records are properly maintained.

  • The successful candidate will have:

    • Proven financial acumen and experience in the for-profit or non-profit sectors, preferably with an understanding of board and committee procedures.

    • An accounting/financial qualification.

    • A genuine commitment to the mission and values of the charity.

    • Sound judgment and high ethical standards and integrity (note: the Trustee Board embraces the Nolan Principals 1994, namely selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership).

    • Willingness to be available to staff for advice on an ad hoc basis around your area of expertise.