Lay trustee member

Following the successful implementation of our strategy to engage lay trustees with our board and committees, the Foundation is now seeking to appoint two new lay members to its Board of Trustees. We are seeking two lay trustees to enhance the breadth of knowledge and expertise on our board. We are actively seeking individuals with expertise in areas such as:

• business and finance

• charity law and governance

• company law and regulation

• cyber security and risks, data structure and management

• IT and digital transformation

• fundraising

• organisational development and HR

As lay trustee members they would also join the Board of Directors of the Association as a non-voting member, and be a co-opted member of the Council, which acts as an advisory group to the board.

Purpose of role: Lay trustee members enhance the knowledge, expertise, judgement, and balance available to the Board of Trustees to ensure a financially sound, healthy, and legally compliant organisation. Their principal assets will be their knowledge and expertise, independence, and the confidence and ability to be a critical friend of the Foundation as a whole.

Responsible to: President/Chair of Board of Trustees
 

Key working relationships

• President of the Association of Anaesthetists (also Chair of the Board of Trustees)
• Other members of the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors
• Chief Executive Officer, Senior Management team and staff
• Other members of the Association of Anaesthetists Council
• Other stakeholder organisations such as the Royal College of Anaesthetists, and charity partners

Term of appointment:

Following a successful interview and satisfactory references lay trustese will be appointed for an initial 1-year term, renewable for up to 4-years in total.

Please note that terms of trustees may be revised as part of the governance review process.

Time commitment

The Board of Trustees meet six times a year. The dates for board meetings are set 12 months in advance. Meetings normally take place on Friday approximately every 6 weeks as either a half-day or full day meeting. Meetings are either held at 21 Portland Place, London or via videoconference, but videoconferencing facilities will be available for all meetings.

Trustees are expected to attend each board meeting and to engage in communication between board meetings with staff and board colleagues (primarily by email) as required.

Expenses

This role is voluntary and is unremunerated. Trustees will be reimbursed for their expenses for travel, hotel accommodation and subsistence when attending meetings. Expenses will be paid in accordance with the expenses policy. As this is a voluntary role, Trustees are not otherwise compensated for their service.

Induction programme

Training in the role of trustee will be provided along with an induction into the work of the charity.

Key responsibilities:

Strategic direction and financial oversight.

• Contribute to ensuring that the charitable objects of the Foundation are met and that patient safety remains central to the activities of the Foundation
• Contribute to and agree the strategic direction of the Foundation
• Oversee the risk management policy and processes of the Foundation
• Oversee the financial performance of the Foundation; review and agree annual business plans and budgets
• Help to ensure that the Foundation’s equity, diversity, and inclusion objectives are met

Trustees are also expected to:

• Act strictly in accordance with the Foundation’s Articles of Association
• Attend meetings of the Foundation Board on a regular basis and be well prepared by reading relevant papers in advance
• Participate in wider Foundation/Association work, assist with ensuring the Foundation’s purposes and mission are clearly communicated to members and the public
• Undertake training and induction as may be required to carry out the role
• Keep up to date with developments in the healthcare and the charity/not-for-profit sector generally

Person Specification

We are keen to appoint lay trustees whose values align with ours and have the following key attributes.

Relevant expertise outside the field of anaesthesia, such as in:

• business and finance

• charity law and governance

• company law and regulation

• cyber security and risks

• IT and digital transformation

• fundraising, or

• organisational development and HR
The ability to challenge constructively and rigorously and to contribute at a strategic level while listening sensitively to the views of others
Commitment to the Foundation and its objectives
Sound judgement, integrity, and high ethical standards
Excellent communication skills
Willingness to acquire the expertise and knowledge to discharge responsibilities
An understanding and awareness of equity, diversity and inclusion issues
Ability to attend board sub-committees and working group meetings, conferences and key events run by the Foundation
Experience of acting as a trustee
Informed about the environment in which the Foundation operates and the issues it faces