Chair of Board
Birmingham Royal Institute for the Blind
Birmingham
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The Chair will lead this historic charity in it's development in supporting those with visual impairment and other disabilities. You will lead the board; safeguard purpose and assets whilst steering strategic direction.
What will you be doing?
Brib started in 1843 as a small school for blind children and has evolved until in 1997 three parts (Focus Birmingham, Queen Alexandra College and New Outlook) became independent offspring. Brib itself now owns a portfolio of property, much of which is used by the three charities, and an investment portfolio the income from which is used to provide grants. There is a small team of Trustees together with outsourced finance, administration and property management services. This in itself is challenging and we are seeking a Chair who is passionate, motivated, with excellent leadership skills, who can commit the time to help take the charity forward to its next stage.
Time commitment: 4 Board meetings per year plus represent the Charity and meetings with investment managers, property managers and attending to some administrative matters. This equates to a few hours a week.
Principal Responsibilities
· Strategic leadership and maintaining financial health
· Ensuring good governance and that trustees fulfil their duties and that the charity works within its objects, statutory requirements and Nolan Principles
· Encouraging positive change and addressing any conflicts that may occur
· Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity
· Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision making process and ensuring the views of all Trustees are taken into account
· Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Charity and its ultimate beneficiaries and that the Board takes collective ownership
· Esure that meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of trustees
· Ensure external professional support such as for legal advice is sought when needed
Person Specification: In addition to the qualities required of a Trustee of the charity, the Chair must have the following experience
- operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
- charity governance and working with or as part of a Board
- chairing meetings and events
- the charity sector and current issues affecting it
- financial management
What are we looking
for?
The role requires knowledge of the charity sector and the ability to develop strategy within it.
Experience of chairing meetings and events together with an understanding of charity governance..
Understanding of investments and financial management.
What difference will you make?
This is a key role for the charity at a time where the independent 'offspring' charities have matured and a new strategy is to be devised which will make a real difference to visually impaired and disabled people in Birmingham.
Before you apply
Please apply with a CV and a letter explaining your interest in the role and what you believe you will bring to it.
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