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Chair of Board of Trustees

At Age UK Bristol, we want to change the way we age. We aim to keep people aged 55+ well and active, encouraging Bristol to be an Age Friendly city. We do this in 3 ways - through providing practical help and supporting people’s emotional and physical wellbeing in a range of ways depending on their needs.  In addition, we want to prevent people from needing our help wherever possible.  We do this in our strategic work, where we aim to create the conditions for older adults to remain healthy and independent.   

 

Our organisational objectives are to  

  • Provide top-quality services and support to all older people in Bristol.  
  • Lead and enable collaboration between other organisations working with older people in Bristol. 
  • Influence public spending and policies in a way that benefits older people in the city. 
  • Promote positive attitudes to ageing in Bristol. 

We do this by 

  • Providing quality information 
  • Delivering quality services 
  • Involving older people  
  • Giving older people a voice 
  • Working in partnership 
  • Maintaining an effective organisation 

Role of Chair 

The role of the Chair is to provide leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees. The Chair’s aim is to enable the Board to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation.  

The Chair will ensure that Age UK Bristol (AUKB) complies with its governing document and any other relevant legislation or regulations and to make sure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its constitution. 

The Chair's role is to work in partnership with the Chief Executive Oficer (CEO), helping them achieve their vision for the organisation. 

Strategic leadership - The Chair will: 

  • provide leadership to the organisation and the Board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes in order to provide greater public benefit 
  • Ensure that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of AUKB 
  • Ensure that the Board operates within its charitable objectives, and provides a clear strategic direction for AUKB 
  • Ensure that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, and that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks 
  • Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability. 

Governance - The Chair will: 

  • Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for the organisation 
  • Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees 
  • Encourage positive change where appropriate, address and resolve any conflicts within the Board 
  • Appraise the performance of the Trustees and the Board on an annual basis 
  • Ensure that the Board of Trustees is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead AUKB effectively, and which also reflects the wider population 
  • Work within any agreed policies adopted by AUKB. 

External Relations – the Chair will: 

  • Act as an ambassador for the cause and for AUKB 
  • Act as a spokesperson for the organisation when appropriate 
  • Represent AUKB at external functions, meetings and events 
  • Facilitate change and address any potential conflict with external stakeholders. 

Efficiency and effectiveness – the Chair will: 

  • Chair regular meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process 
  • Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the organisation and that the Board takes collective ownership  
  • Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees 
  • Work closely with the CEO to give direction to Board policy-making and to ensure that meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of trustees 
  • Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented. 

Relationship with the CEO – the Chair will: 

  • Establish and build a strong, effective and a constructive working relationship with the CEO, ensuring they are held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives 
  • Support the CEO, whilst respecting the boundaries which exist between the two roles 
  • Plan the annual cycle of Board meetings and other general meetings with the CEO, for example annual general meetings  
  • Ensure regular contact with the CEO and develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges 
  • Liaise with the CEO to maintain an overview of AUKB’s affairs, providing support as necessary 
  • Sit on appointment and disciplinary panels as required 
  • Ensure that the CEO has the opportunity for professional development and has appropriate external professional support. 

Additional information 

The Vice-Chair acts for the Chair when the Chair is not available and undertakes assignments at the request of the Chair. 

The role and duties of all trustees are applicable to the Chair and are set out below. 

The above list is indicative only and not exhaustive 

Duties and responsibilities of all trustees 

The main duties of all Age UK Bristol (AUKB) trustees align with the six main duties outlined in the Charity Commission Guidance (CC3a). The Chair is also expected to comply with these duties and responsibilities. 

  • Ensure AUKB applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives for the public benefit 
  • Comply with the AUKB’s governing document and the law. The law refers to the following: 
  • laws on trading, political activities and fundraising 
  • Have an enthusiasm for the work of AUKB and the time, ability, and commitment to carry out the duties of a Board member. This includes attending at least eight Board meetings per year plus other training, planning and promotional events. 
  • Act in AUKB’s best interests by working closely with other Trustees and members of AUKB to provide sound AUKB strategic direction and decision making based on current best information. This includes setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets in the Board meetings and document reviews. 
  • Safeguard the good name and values of AUKB. 
  • Manage AUKB’s resources responsibly to ensure effective and efficient administration of AUKB’s business and strategic plan. This includes monitoring financial stability of AUKB, appointing key staff and future Chief Executive Officers, performing risk assessment regularly, overseeing the performance and outcomes, and mitigating potential and preventable risks.  
  • Be accountable for AUKB. Trustees hold accountability to the charity, the members, staff, and volunteers. This includes statutory accounting and reporting requirement in a format comprehended to everyone, i.e. annual general meetings, annual reports, and financial reports. 

The above list of duties is not claimed to be exhaustive. Trustees are expected to perform additional duties commensurate with their roles to support AUKB when necessary. 

Person Specification 

  • They will know the third sector, have been a trustee for another charity, and /or have a real interest in older people.  
  • Someone who has a commitment to the aims and objectives of Age UK Bristol, in promoting it in the best interests of its stakeholders and staff. 
  • Strategic vision and understanding. 
  • Good, independent judgment. 
  • An ability to think creatively 
  • An understanding of legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship, together with an understanding of the financial aspects of running a charity. 
  • An ability to work effectively as part of a team, contributing an independent perspective. 
  • Possess integrity, objectivity, accountability, honesty. 
  • The applicant must be legally eligible to stand as a registered Company Director and Charity Trustee. 

Terms of Appointment  

Chairs should expect to serve for two terms of 3 years.   

Trustees should expect to serve for no more than three terms of 3 years. Trustees may become Chair and the length of the term they may serve as Chair will not be reduced by any term spent as Trustee. 

Whilst the role of Trustee is unpaid, reasonable out of pocket expenses are payable in line with AUKB’s policy. 

 

Further Information  

For further information, please contact:  

E: hr@ageukbristol.org.uk  

P: 0117 928 1530