Chair of Trustees and Trustee with Legal Expertise

Deadline: 9 Jun 2024

Hybrid

Organisation Overview:

We help people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing advice and information about their rights and responsibilities. We also work to influence local government and other decision-makers to improve policies and practices which affect local communities. Citizens Advice Westminster collaborates with the broader Citizens Advice service to advocate for positive changes in laws and services at both local and national levels, utilizing evidence from our clients’ problems. We offer advice and information on a wide range of subjects including benefits, consumer, housing, legal, tax, family law, energy suppliers and immigration & nationality.

Citizens Advice Westminster is a member of the national Citizens Advice service. It is also an independent registered charity governed by a Board of Trustees.

Role Details

Time requirements: 5-10 days per year

Attendance: Meetings are held in person and online but there is a hybrid attendance option for in-person meetings.

Chair Overview

We are looking for a new Chair to join our board and help us to continue to provide vital services to the diverse communities of Westminster. The Chair holds the Board and Executive Team to account for Citizens Advice Westminster’s vision and mission, providing leadership to the Board and ensuring effective governance of the charity. The Chair is pivotal in creating the conditions for overall board and individual trustee effectiveness. We’re seeking someone with integrity, strategic vision, independent judgment, creativity, understanding of legal duties, a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and ability to foster supportive relationships with the Executive team and Board.

The candidate must have:

A commitment to the aims and vision of Citizens Advice Westminster, including a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
A willingness to meeting the minimum time requirement
Integrity
Strategic vision
Good, independent judgement
An ability to think creatively
A willingness to speak their mind
An understanding and acceptance of their legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship
An ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of the organisation
A strong ability to form open and supportive relationships with members of the Executive team and the Board.

Previous experience in the voluntary or advice sector is desirable.

Trustee Overview

We are looking for a new trustee with broad legal expertise to provide strategic direction; and help both the Chief Executive Officer and the Board ensure best practice in risk assessment and compliance.

This role will:

Provide experience and knowledge of the laws applicable to company and charity governance and the legal duties of company directors/charity trustees;
Guide and advise other board trustees on the legal implications of the charity’s strategic plans;
Be responsible for ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing documents, charity law and relevant legislation;
Lead other Trustees to ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively;
Be a good communicator and committed to the overarching aims of the Citizens Advice service;
Serve as a member of Finance and General Purposes Committee, in addition to the main Board.

The candidate must have:

A commitment to the aims and vision of Citizens Advice Westminster, including a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
A willingness to meeting the minimum time requirement
Legal experience from either the private or public sector with experience of non-profit organizations.
Integrity
Strategic vision
Good, independent judgement
An ability to think creatively
A willingness to speak their mind
An understanding and acceptance of their legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship
An ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of the organisation.

To apply for or express an interest in this position, please email bicenquiries@weareadvocate.org.uk

Causes: Community Support, Disability, Elderly, Employment, Families, Homelessness and Housing, Mental Health, Social Welfare

Roles: Trusteeships and Governance

Citizens Advice Westminster

Local organisation based in London W2 5ES

London

More about this location

Opportunities are listed at our discretion and in line with our values. We do not vet organisations and we encourage volunteers to satisfy themselves of the status and objectives of any organisation they choose to apply to work with.

Finding free legal help
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We are the pro bono charity of the Bar, supported by the Bar Council

Charity No: 1057620.

POSTAL ADDRESS ONLY: Advocate, International Dispute Resolution Centre 1 Paternoster Lane, St.Paul's, London, EC4M 7BQ. We are not open for physical visits at this time.

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