Trustee

Gwent Wildlife Trust is seeking trustees, including a Company Secretary and individuals with financial oversight skills, to govern and support its charitable activities. Trustees will ensure compliance with laws, develop strategies, and oversee the Trust's direction. Candidates should be committed to the Trust's values and willing to dedicate time to meetings. Training will be provided for the role. The position is based in Mamhilad, UK.
Would you like to help govern and shape the work of your local Wildlife Trust whilst being part of a federation of 46 Wildlife Trusts in the UK and Wildlife Trusts Wales?

We are looking for people who share our vision and commitment of nature recovery to take up vacant positions on Gwent Wildlife Trust’s board of trustees. In particular, we are looking for a Company Secretary as well as trustees with financial oversight skills to succeed to Treasurer, however these are not the only requirements, applications for general trustee positions are also welcome.

Trustees (also Company Board Directors) are the people who work together to ensure that Gwent Wildlife Trust (‘the Trust’) fulfils its duties to deliver its charitable activities and the vision, mission and values of the Trust. They are effectively guardians of the charity/charitable company and steer its direction, overseeing the work of the CEO and staff. They come together regularly to meet, discuss and agree issues of strategic importance and ensure the Trust is being run effectively and compliant with charity law.

The formal duties of a Trustee are as follows
• Ensuring that the Trust pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy
• Ensuring that the Trust complies with its governing document (for Gwent Wildlife Trust this is a memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• Ensuring that the Trust applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public
• Ensuring that the Trust defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
• Safeguarding the good name and values of the Trust
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the Trust, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
• Ensuring the financial stability of the Trust
• Protecting and managing the property of the Trust and ensuring the proper investment of the Trust’s funds
• Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the chief executive

In addition to the above statutory duties, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising Board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise.

Full induction, training and information will be provided to enable the successful candidate fulfil their role as Trustee.

Person specification
• A commitment to Gwent Wildlife Trust and it’s values and beliefs
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to attend and participate in meetings
• Good, independent judgement
• An ability to think creatively
• A willingness to speak up and ask questions
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship (training will be provided)
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team e. the Board of Trustees
• A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

You can read more about our Board of Trustees here

If you would like to apply to become a Gwent Wildlife Trust Trustee, please complete the application form and send it to HR@gwentwildlife.org
• Trustee Role Description
• Trustee Application Form

Contact details

If you would like an informal chat to find out more about becoming a Trustee and what the roles involve, email Marc Leppard, Chair at mleppard@gwentwildlife.org.