Chair of Trustees

Are you passionate about driving positive change for single parents and their children? Do you have the vision and leadership skills to help shape the future of the only national charity dedicated to supporting single parents to overcome disadvantage, inequality, and injustice? Gingerbread is looking for a dynamic and experienced leader to join as Chair.

Applications close on Monday 19th August.

About Gingerbread.

Gingerbread is the leading charity working with single parent families. With single parent families making up 25% of all families in the UK, our mission is more critical than ever. Increasingly, these parents and families face significant challenges during the cost-of-living crisis, including poverty, housing instability, high childcare costs, and an inadequate welfare system. Single parents tell us they feel forgotten by policymakers or even discriminated against, and in the run-up to the General Election, we are hearing political parties offer various solutions, but it is crucial that the voices of single parents are heard. We provide expert advice and practical support and campaign for policy changes that improve the lives of single parents. Our vision is a society where all single parents and their children can thrive.

Our strategic priorities.

Our strategy for 2022-2030 focuses on several key areas identified through extensive research and engagement with single parents. These include addressing the cost-of-living crisis and ensuring single parents can access adequate income and financial support. We want to provide mental health support and tackle issues of isolation and loneliness through wellbeing. We are advocating for flexible employment opportunities and affordable, accessible childcare. We are challenging discrimination and negative attitudes towards single parents and influencing policy changes.

Why this role matters.

Single parents face unique challenges and are disproportionately affected by poverty, discrimination, and social isolation. At Gingerbread, we are committed to addressing these issues through direct support, advocacy, and systemic change. By joining our Board as Chair, you will play a pivotal role in guiding our strategic direction and ensuring that we can continue to provide vital services and support to those who need it most whilst campaigning for change.

Key qualities we are looking for.

We are looking for a visionary leader who can inspire and guide our Board and team to achieve our goals and ensure our charity is sustainable for the future. Our new Chair will provide robust support while offering constructive challenge to drive our charity forward. Our Chair will have a proven ability to lead and manage change, adeptly guiding us through transformative periods. The Chair will bring solid knowledge and understanding of the charity sector, valuable experience in governance, ensuring organisational integrity and accountability.

We are looking for a Chair who demonstrates strong commercial acumen, balancing financial sustainability with our charitable mission. Strategic thinking is crucial, alongside a collaborative spirit and strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.

This is a unique opportunity for a leader who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of single parent families and is ready to take our organisation to new heights.

Time commitment.

The Board meets quarterly for 2-3 hours, usually in central London, with an annual strategy away day. The overall time commitment, including engagement with the CEO, Trustees, and other key stakeholders, preparation for meetings, regular conversations with the chairs of the committees, ad hoc discussions and potentially attending events is expected to be the equivalent of 2-3 days per month.

Join us at Gingerbread and help us create a world where no single parent faces disadvantage, inequality, or injustice.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close Monday 19th August.