Trustee with legal experience for hospice charity

Organisation Overview 

At Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, our unique care provides a lifeline of compassion and support to patients, carers, and families facing progressive life-limiting illness.

We provide palliative and end of life care support, including bereavement services, within Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire and our patient services are available to adults, as well as patients transitioning into adult services (16 to 25 years). Bereavement support is offered for all ages to families of patients and those around them, as well as throughout the community, in schools and workplaces.

We are proud to offer care in the place that best suits the individual’s needs, whether that’s at home, in a care home, in a short stay in our inpatient unit, out in the community, or in our purpose-built Living Well Centre facilities. As a hospice care charity, we have offered this support, free of charge, for over 40 years. 

Our staff team of 340+ includes a wide range of patient-facing disciplines plus operational support based in Watford, Tring, St Albans, Chalfont St Giles and Berkhamsted. The Charity is now one of the larger UK hospice charities, reaching a GP population of 797,037 of whom 75% live in Hertfordshire and 25% in Buckinghamshire.

Role Details 

Person specification

·       Qualified solicitor or barrister or significant experience in legal practice

·       Strong understanding of charity law, company law, compliance and governance frameworks

·       Commitment to the organisation’s values and objectives

·       Experience and understanding of the role of Company Secretary

·       Experience at senior leadership level

·       Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.

·       Strategic thinker, capable of balancing detail with the bigger picture, and exercising sound independent judgement

·       Deep commitment to the mission, vision and values of the charity, including principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.

 Key responsibilities

Governance and strategic leadership

·       Actively participate in Board meetings and relevant Board committee meetings (e.g. Governance), providing objective advice on strategic direction, performance and resources.

·       Work with the Chair, Chief Executive and other trustees to ensure the charity maintains the highest standards of governance, complies with all relevant laws and regulations and delivers on its mission.

·       Contribute to the development, scrutiny and approval of organisational strategies, major projects and investment decisions, ensuring alignment with long-term goals.

·       Champion the charity’s values, diversity and inclusion and ethical standards at all times.

Legal oversight and stewardship

·       Support the organisation in complying with its governing documents, charity law, and other relevant legislation.

·       Safeguard the organisation’s assets and ensure they are applied exclusively for charitable purposes.

·       Support the Board in understanding legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities.

·       Contribute to setting and reviewing the organisation’s strategic direction.

·       Monitor performance and ensure accountability across all areas of operation.

·       Ensure financial stability and integrity, approving budgets and monitoring expenditure.

·       Act as an ambassador for the organisation, promoting its mission and values.

Time requirements: 4 meetings a year (early evening) and to serve on at least one Board committee with additional meetings as required. All our trustees are encouraged to actively participate and engage in external events and networking to represent and promote the charity where requested.

Attendance: All meetings are in person 

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