Trustees

Help shape the future of the world's largest health and well-being movement and join the Board of parkrun. Use your legal and public health skills and experience to support society to be active, social and outdoors together.

Applications close Monday 20th January 2025

Who we are.

parkrun is more than just a running event—we’re the largest health and well-being movement on the planet. Every weekend, our free 5k and 2k events bring together over 300,000 people across 23 countries, supported by 40,000 volunteers. From our humble beginnings in 2004 with just 13 runners and 5 volunteers in Bushy Park, we’ve grown into a global community of more than 10 million registered participants. But we’re not just about running—we’re about creating accessible, inclusive spaces where everyone, regardless of their background or ability, can improve their health and well-being.

We’re at an exciting phase in our evolution, having recently moved into phase 2 of our ambitious 5-year global strategy. Our vision is bold: to double our global impact by 2028, increasing both our events and weekly participants. In 2023-24, our income grew to £9.4m, reflecting our strong partnerships and sustainable business model. With our strategy in place, we are looking for two new Trustees to join our Board, add value and have an impact.

Who we are looking for.

We are looking for two people with the following skills and experiences:

• A practising lawyer working in a corporate environment. It is desirable to have multinational experience.
• Public health qualification or experience at a senior level in global public health. Ideally (but not essential) having a clinical background.

You’ll be passionate about improving global health and well-being, with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We hope to engage with people who have operated across different cultures and regions and who have global experience in multiple countries and regions. We value people who can think globally while understanding local contexts, and who embody our values of Family, Bravery, Fairness, Recognition, and Authenticity. The ideal candidates will bring understanding of effective governance and the ability to influence.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of a global movement that’s transforming lives. You’ll work with a diverse, committed board and leadership team, improving public health and community well-being on a global scale. As we double in size and impact, you’ll play a crucial role in making the world a healthier, happier place.

This isn’t just about governance and board meetings—though this matters deeply. It’s about being part of something extraordinary: a global movement that transforms lives through the simple act of bringing people together. As a Trustee, you’ll help steer an organisation that breaks down barriers to physical activity and builds communities, creating ripples of positive change that extend far beyond weekly weekend events.

We’re looking for leaders who understand that the most powerful changes often start with the simplest ideas. Your strategic guidance and expertise will help us extend our reach to millions more people worldwide, making our vision of a healthier, happier planet an achievable reality, one parkrun at a time and one board meeting at a time.

Time Commitment

The Global Board meets quarterly, usually in Richmond, Greater London, though we’re flexible about location and will meet all accessibility needs. We have a number of committees; Trustees usually join one or two committees. The committees include Finance and Audit, Governance and Risk, Safeguarding, Nominations and Remuneration; typically, committees meet four times a year online. Additionally, Trustees participate in an annual strategy away day, providing a crucial opportunity for an in-depth discussion of parkrun’s direction and strategy. The overall time commitment is the equivalent of up to 1-2 days per month; this is inclusive of board meetings, ad hoc discussions with the executive, attending events, and preparation for meetings. We are looking for Trustees who are based in the UK.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We believe that parkrun is for everyone, and our board should reflect this. Our commitment to inclusion spans all aspects of diversity—from protected characteristics to diverse thinking and experiences. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in charitable governance.

We’re looking for individuals who can contribute to our dynamic board culture through their unique perspectives and experiences, helping us better serve our global community of parkrunners.

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 20th January 2025.