Trustee (Finance)

Our Trustees play a vital role in making sure that Loveworks achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure Loveworks has a clear strategy and our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the Executive team to enable Loveworks to grow and thrive, and through this, help to improve the lives of our local community through food and to support people when they are in crisis and, in partnership, help them move out of it.

Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that Trustees always act as a group and not as individuals.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Support and provide advice on Loveworks’ purpose, vision, goals and activities.
• Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee Loveworks’ financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress, present these accounts at the annual general meeting and draw attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve Loveworks’ financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to Loveworks’ CCO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
• Keep abreast of changes in Loveworks’ operating environment.
• Contribute to periodic reviews of Loveworks’ own governance. Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Loveworks’ interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of Loveworks’ objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
• To oversee and present budgets, accounts and financial statements, and to formally present these.
• To ensure the financial resources of the charity meet its present and future needs
• To ensure the charity has an appropriate reserves policy
• To present financial reports to the board
• To ensure appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place

As a small local charity, there will be times when the Trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Terms of office:

• Trustees are appointed for a 1-year term of office. Renewal for further terms to be agreed annually at the AGM, with an expectation that an individual will not serve as a trustee for a period in excess of 10 years.
• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

What skills do I need?

• Willingness and ability to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Financial background
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
• Willingness to lead according to our values.