SW
Posted 1 day ago
Chair (Non-Executive) – Board of Directors
South West Wildlife Fundraising Ltd
📍 Whipton
💷 £12,500 per yearManagement and Consultancy
Job description
<p><u><strong>Chair (Non-Executive) – Board of Directors</strong></u></p> <p>South West Wildlife Fundraising Ltd (‘SWWFL’)</p> <p><strong>Remuneration:</strong>£12,500 per annum (plus expenses)<br><br>Make sure to read the full description below, and please apply immediately if you are confident you meet all the requirements.<br> <strong>Location: </strong>Home-based, with some travel across the South West<br> <strong>Time commitment:</strong> Approximately 4 days per month</p> <p> </p> <p>Do you care about the work of the Wildlife Trusts and want to make a real difference to the future of our treasured wildlife? </p> <p> </p> <p><u><strong>About the role</strong></u></p> <p>SWWFL, a wholly-owned trading subsidiary of 8 regional Wildlife Trusts, is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to take on the role of Non-Executive Chair of the Board. This is a pivotal leadership position, providing direction to the Board of Directors, supporting the Chief Executive Officer, and strengthening relationships with our owning Wildlife Trusts and partnerships with client Trusts.</p> <p>You will also serve as a Company Director of SWWFL, sharing responsibility for the oversight, stewardship, and long-term success of the organisation.</p> <p>This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a purpose-driven organisation supporting the work of The Wildlife Trusts across the extended South West.</p> <p> </p> <p><u><strong>Key responsibilities</strong></u></p> <p>As Chair, you will:</p> <p>· Lead the Board of Directors, ensuring effective governance, decision-making and accountability</p> <p>· Work closely with the CEO, providing both support and constructive challenge</p> <p>· Ensure strong strategic alignment between SWWFL and its owning Wildlife Trusts and client Wildlife Trusts</p> <p>· Oversee financial performance, risk management and regulatory compliance</p> <p>· Chair Board meetings and ensure effective participation from all Directors</p> <p>· Act as an ambassador for SWWFL with external stakeholders and partner Wildlife Trusts</p> <p>· Lead the annual appraisal and development of the CEO</p> <p><strong>Governance and Director responsibilities</strong></p> <p>In addition to Chair duties, the postholder will fulfil the responsibilities of a SWWFL Company Director, including:</p> <p>· Acting in accordance with the SWWFL Memorandum & Articles of Association and Members’ Agreement</p> <p>· Exercising independent judgement, care and diligence</p> <p>· Ensuring robust governance, financial oversight and risk management</p> <p>· Supporting long-term sustainable success of the business</p> <p> </p> <p><u><strong>Terms of appointment</strong></u></p> <p>· The Chair is appointed by majority vote of the Board</p> <p>· Term: normally 3 years, may be renewed, with annual performance review by the Board and owning Trusts</p> <p>· The Chair role is remunerated, via a contracting agreement, in recognition of additional responsibilities</p> <p>· The person appointed must, therefore, have appropriate and genuine self-employed status (or equivalent) to receive payment</p> <p>· Where a Trustee of an owning Wildlife Trust is appointed, they cannot receive remuneration in line with SWWFL governance arrangements</p> <p>· All Directors (including the Chair in their Director capacity) are subject to SWWFL governance requirements</p> <p> </p> <p><u><strong>About you</strong></u></p> <p>We are looking for someone who brings:</p> <p><strong>Experience</strong></p> <p>· Significant Board-level experience</p> <p>· Proven experience of chairing meetings</p> <p>· Senior strategic leadership experience (ideally in a commercial environment)</p> <p>· Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building experience</p> <p><strong>Skills & knowledge</strong></p> <p>· Strong understanding of governance and regulatory requirements</p> <p>· High level of financial literacy</p> <p>· Commercial awareness</p> <p>· Experience in risk management and organisational oversight</p> <p><strong>Personal qualities</strong></p> <p>· Strategic, decisive and emotionally intelligent</p> <p>· Collaborative and diplomatic, with strong interpersonal skills</p> <p>· Confident in an ambassadorial role</p> <p>· Committed to the mission of The Wildlife Trusts</p> <p> </p> <p><u><strong>Time commitment</strong></u></p> <p>The Chair is expected to commit around 4 days per month, including:</p> <p>· Regular meetings with the CEO and Finance Manager</p> <p>· 6 Board and Stakeholder meetings annually</p> <p>· 4 Finance & Remuneration Committee meetings</p> <p>· Meetings with auditors and owning Trust CEOs</p> <p>Some travel across the South West will be required, although many meetings are held remotely.</p> <p> </p> <p><u><strong>Eligibility</strong></u></p> <p>The Chair does not need to be an employee of an owning Wildlife Trust. However, they do need to be a member of their local Wildlife Trust, and they will operate within a Board that includes Directors who are drawn from the owning Trusts:</p> <p>Avon, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire Wildlife Trusts.</p> <p> </p> <p><u><strong>Why join us?</strong></u></p> <p>This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in a values-driven organisation, helping to support vital conservation work across the South West and beyond.</p> <p> </p> <p><u><strong>How to apply</strong></u></p> <p>An application pack and form can be downloaded from the SWWFL website. <strong>A copy of your CV, plus a personal statement detailing your skills and experience relevant to this role, must be included in your application. xwzovoh </strong></p> <p><strong>The deadline for applications is 7th June 2026.</strong></p> <p>Interviews will take place on 30th June 2026 at Avon Wildlife Trust, Bristol. </p>