Finance Trustee

Letter from Imelda Redmond, our chair of trustees 

The current Board is a welcoming, collegiate and energetic group, working hard to make a positive impact on the lives of older people in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Hackney. I have recently joined the organisation as chair and am looking forward to steering the organisation through an exciting period of transformation as we begin to implement our new, and ambitious, five year strategy.      

AUKEL has sound finances and a strong reputation for its service delivery (Hospital to Home service, community services, digital inclusion and Information and Advice). From this strong base, the organisation has an ambition to amplify the voices of older people within our communities and to create a more collaborative culture which both improves the connectedness of our services and also strengthens our relationships with local voluntary, statutory, community and faith groups.  

We are looking for someone with the time, passion and expertise we need to work collegiately with trustee colleagues to lead the organisation through this next exciting phase.  

Yours, 

Imelda Redmond 

AUKEL Chair of trustees 

About us 

Age UK East London (AUKEL) is a local independent charity, which is part of the national Age UK network. We work across Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Newham to deliver services which support older people to live healthier, happier and more fulfilled lives. 

Our work 

Each year we support around 20,000 older East Londoners by providing flexible practical and emotional support in homes, hospitals and in the community. 

Our boroughs have the country’s highest pensioner poverty in the country, further exacerbated by the current cost of living crisis. 

How we help 

1. We tackle poverty 

Each year our advice service supports over 2,000 older people to claim £3.2million in welfare benefits, grants and relief entitlements. During the cost of living crisis we distributed £42,000 worth of emergency vouchers for food, helping older people ensure there was food in the fridge. 

1. We alleviate loneliness 

According to a national model, Tower Hamlets has the highest rates of loneliness in London and in England. Our East End Friends initiative teams housebound older people who’d like a bit more company with a volunteer to visit them at home. 92% of older people said they felt less isolated and lonely and 100% of volunteers would recommend the scheme. 

1. We improve health. 

Many older people in our boroughs have very poor health. For example, at age 65, women can expect just six more years of good health, which is the lowest in London and almost the lowest in England. This reduces their quality of life and can make it harder to remain independent. As well as increasing income and addressing loneliness (both determinants of health) we offer yoga, walking, and chair-based exercise groups at our community centre in Bow. 87% of participants said they are more independent as a result. 

1. We increase independence. 

Many older people live alone and struggle to manage around the home. Our home from hospital service supports 3,000 older people to return to a safe and warm home. Just 6% are readmitted to hospital within 28 days compared to 15.3% in areas where there aren’t these services. 

The Team 

We have an established and talented Senior Management Team, a committed staff team and an extraordinary group of volunteers. Fifteen months ago the board recruited a new Chief Executive. She is ambitious for the charity, comes with a great track-record of charity leadership, and has worked hard with trustees to develop our new organisational strategy. 

Role Requirements 

We are looking for someone with finance expertise, and a recognised accountancy qualification, to support our treasurer. This is potentially a developmental role where you will gain knowledge and experience of charity finance practice. Any previous experience in the voluntary sector, adult social care, NHS, or similar relevant experience to the work of AUKEL would be helpful.  

You must want to improve the lives of older people across East London and be committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and understand the impact disadvantage and discrimination has on the life chances of our population. You will be curious, collaborative and ambitious and able to commit to an average of one-to two days a quarter (most meetings are in the evenings). 

We would really like our board of trustees to look more like the community we serve. We would particularly encourage you to apply if you are an older person and/or you are a person of the global majority. 

Full role description can be found in appendix 1 and 2 

What I get out of being on the AUKEL Board 

'I continue to be impressed with the extent of the help AUKEL provides in our communities. The need for the service is increasing as the cost of living crisis deepens. I see the Trustee role as an enabling role. I enjoy rolling up my sleeves alongside my fellow trustees to tackle some challenging issues with our combined skill sets. I particularly enjoy working on the new People sub-committee and I can sense a renewed enthusiasm for finding ways to optimise the Trustee contribution.' 

Trustees will be required to complete an induction to the organisation and the Board. This will include site visits and meetings with the CEO, Senior Management Team, Chair and Board members. 

Time commitment 

The Board meets quarterly on Wednesdays from 6.00 – 8.00pm in East London.  

In addition to the full Board meetings, the Finance Committee meets quarterly on Thursdays from 6.00 – 8.00pm in East London, the People Committee meets quarterly on Mondays from 6.00-7.30pm online, and the Service Development Committee meets quarterly online (regular days/times tbc). 

The new finance trustee will be expected to attend Finance Committee meetings. 

Travel expenses can be reimbursed. 

Board members may be asked to commit additional time to support staff recruitment, review tenders and share expertise. 

The agenda and papers for each meeting are usually emailed to Trustees a week in advance 

To allow for preparation time.   

How to apply 

If you are interested in being considered for this role please submit your CV/LinkedIn profile with a covering letter explaining why you wish to join the charity and the skills/experience you will bring to the Board

Potential candidates are welcome to have an informal conversation about the role. Please contact AUKEL recruitment team to arrange this

Closing date is Monday 30th September. Interviews will be in mid-October. 

Appendix 1 

Trustee role description 

Purpose of the role 

The Board is responsible for the governance of the organisation, supporting the Chief Executive to ensure things run smoothly and effectively You will be supporting our 75 members of staff and part of our 90+ strong volunteer team. You will also have the opportunity to learn about how to tackle the challenges that our beneficiaries face, and how to deliver appropriate co-produced services that enrich older people’s lives and enhance the whole community of East London. 

Trustee Main tasks 

• Make decisions for the benefit of Age UK East London, exercising independent judgement and declaring any interests, exercising reasonable skill, care and diligence in carrying out activities. 

• Contribute to Board meetings, helping to give firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting policy and targets and evaluating performance. 

• Be familiar with the rules that govern Age UK East London (Articles of Association) and make sure we follow those, Charity Law, Company Law and all other relevant legislation and regulations., training and support is available. 

• Ensure the organisation’s financial stability, overseeing the setting of the budget and monitoring variance against the budget (the Board also has a Finance Sub-Committee to help oversee this). 

• Ensure that we use our resources in line with our Articles and the requirements of 

funders, and that our accounts are a ‘fair and true’ representation of our finances. 

• Safeguard the values of Age UK East London a maintain positive reputation for the organisation and its work. 

• Contribute to a subcommittee that best suits your knowledge.  

Trustee Person specification 

A blend of the following skills and experience would be beneficial: 

• A commitment to the mission and values of AUEL 

• Strategic vision 

• Good, independent judgement 

• An ability to think creatively 

• A willingness to speak your mind 

• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship 

• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of AUEKL 

• Have a personal commitment to the Nolan Principles of Public Life 

• selflessness 

• integrity 

• objectivity 

• honesty  

• leadership 

In particular, we are looking for individuals with a skill set in Finance. 

Appendix 2 

Finance Trustee role description 

Purpose of the role 

To support the Treasurer and Board in overseeing the financial operations of the charity in line with good practice, the Articles of Association and legal and reporting requirements.  

Main tasks 

• Liaise with the Treasurer Director of Finance and Operations (or other appropriate member of staff) and support on financial matters 

• Support the Board to monitor the financial viability of the charity. 

• Advise on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan. 

• Review the annual accounts in liaison with the Treasurer and Director of Finance and Operations 

• Review the annual budget and management information in liaison with the Treasurer  

• Ensure close working relationships with the internal Finance Department and Finance subcommittee. 

• Deputise for the Treasurer at Finance subcommittee and main board meetings 

• Assist the Treasurer and the Director of Finance and Operations to ensure that sound financial management is maintained in line with our Financial Procedures and related policies. 

• Assist the Treasurer in formulating and recommending to the board an appropriate reserves policy  

• Assist the Treasurer to ensure annual audit is carried out a timely manner 

Finance Trustee Person specification 

• Recognised accounting qualification, ACA or ACCA  

• Good financial analysis skills. 

• Ability to communicate clearly.   

• Integrity, independence of thought and judgement, being prepared when necessary to recommend unpopular decisions. 

• Ability to work well as a team member and values diversity in all forms. 

• Can demonstrate AUKEL values (accountable, kind, flexible, inclusive, collaborative) 

Desirable experience 

• Charity sector experience 

• Up to date knowledge and experience of finance practice relevant to small/medium charities, including the Charities statement of recommended practice and reporting standards.