Finance Trustee - Agora Learning Partnership

About Us

The Agora Learning Partnership (formerly the Herts for Learning Multi Academy Trust) is an inclusive, collaborative and forward looking Trust where we all work together, learn together and succeed together in order to give all of the children in our academies the best possible education and learning opportunities.

The Agora Learning Partnership is inclusive; it is open to primary, secondary and special schools which will mainly be converter academies (plus a smaller number of sponsored academies) within an hour’s travelling distance. We do not intend to turn schools away that are not yet good or have financial pressures, but in order to manage growth in a sustainable way, our growth strategy aims for at least 80% of our academies being good or better at any one time and financially secure before adding more.

Background to the role

We are currently seeking a new Trustee with skills and experience in accounting and/or finance to join our Board.

Main Responsibilities

• Ensuring that the Trust has adequate financial and internal audit controls and risk identification and management and that these are monitored and reviewed regularly
• Working with the central Finance Team to ensure that financial information is both accurate and presented in such a way and level of detail that facilitates good financial governance
• Scrutinising management accounts, performance against budget, cash flow, etc and provide assurance to the Board regarding their status and management
• Advising the board on the financial implications and operational risks arising from organisational strategy and plans, and board decisions, especially the board’s strategic and policy decisions, and working with EFSA in its overall oversight role of such matters. 
• Advising the board on its financial and business strategy and to review and monitor the financial strategy on behalf of the board
• Advising the board regarding investment policy including risk, ethics, and strategy
• Ensure that intangible assets such as organisational knowledge and expertise, intellectual property, the Trust’s good name and reputation etc. are properly valued, utilised and safeguarded

Person Specification

• A desire to create positive change for children and young people.
• A commitment to the principles, aims and objectives of the Trust.
• A willingness to devote time and effort.
• An ability to work effectively in a team, while contributing an independent perspective.
• An ability to build productive and supportive professional relationships and be ready to ask pertinent questions.
• A commitment to the Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
• A commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
• A commitment to safeguarding children and young people
• An understanding and acceptance of legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship.
• An ever-developing understanding of the use of attainment and other data to assess the progress, strengths and weaknesses of a school.
• An accounting qualification would be preferred but the equivalent professional experience would be acceptable

Diversity and inclusion 

Eastside People is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and work with our clients to ensure that we recruit inclusively, seeking to address the under-representation of some groups of people on boards and in leadership teams. 

How to apply

Eastside People is supporting Agora Learning Partnership in the recruitment for this role. Please download the Candidate Pack for more information and to apply. 

Please apply by submitting both your cover letter and CV in Word doc. format. Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following:

• Why are you interested in the Finance Trustee role, and why with Agora Learning Partnership? 
• How can you contribute to Agora Learning Partnership as a Finance Trustee? Please highlight relevant experience and demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the role as set out in the role description and person specification.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. Please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can make the application process work for you.

The closing date for applications is Monday 28 April with shortlisting interviews taking place as applications are received. The two-stage interview process with Agora Learning Partnership will take place in the following weeks.