Chair of Trustees

What will you be doing?

The Chair provides strategic leadership and effective governance, ensuring robust decision-making and full compliance with legal and regulatory responsibilities.

Key responsibilities:

• Foster a Board culture of accountability, collaboration and shared purpose.

• Work with the Secretary to ensure effective, inclusive Board discussions and clear, recorded decision-making.

• Work alongside the CEO between meetings to provide thoughtful guidance and constructive challenge.

• Lead trustee recruitment and board development.

• Act as a point of contact for governance and ensure the charity operates within its legal and regulatory obligations.

• Represent RRN externally, in partnership with the CEO, who leads on operational engagement with key stakeholders such as local authorities.

Co-Chair Arrangement

RRN is open to a co-chair arrangement with an experienced trustee who has deep knowledge of the organisation, the sector, and the governance context. This means you will not be walking in alone and there is support in place from day one. Responsibilities will be agreed collaboratively based on capacity and strengths.

What are we looking for?

We are seeking a values-driven and experienced leader who can bring strategic oversight, sound judgement and integrity to the role.

Essential:

• Commitment to RRN's mission and values.

• Understanding of governance and trustee responsibilities, ideally with experience

in the social impact, refugee, migration, or community sector.

• Emotionally intelligent leadership and decision-making style, able to navigate different perspectives and build consensus without avoiding difficult conversations.

• Ability to build a strong, trusting working relationship with the CEO, offering both support and appropriate challenge.

• Comfortable representing RRN publicly and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Time and capacity to fulfil the role effectively.

Desirable:

• Experience in a CEO, senior leadership, or governance role in a small or medium-sized charity.

• Knowledge of refugee resettlement, housing, or statutory support systems.

• Experience of supporting organisational development.

• Local connections in East Hampshire, Havant or Portsmouth.

Most importantly, we seek an individual with a genuine commitment to supporting refugees and asylum seekers, who can provide visible, constructive leadership and work in partnership to amplify RRN’s positive impact.

What difference will you make?

RRN is at an important stage of consolidation and growth. As we continue to expand our support for refugee families across East Hampshire, Havant and Portsmouth, strong governance and clear strategic direction are essential. The Chair of Trustees will play a key role in strengthening RRN’s foundations and ensuring we are well‑positioned for long‑term impact.

A strong Chair will also support the development of an engaged, skilled and collaborative Board. The Chair will help ensure RRN has the right expertise and perspectives to navigate a complex and changing environment.

Externally, the Chair will help raise RRN’s profile.

The Chair will act as a strategic partner to the CEO offering support, challenge and guidance. This partnership is vital for a small charity and will help ensure decisions are well‑considered and aligned with our mission.

Before you apply

How to Apply

We welcome informal conversations before application. Please contact Katherine Lawrence to find out more or to arrange a call. To apply, please send a brief expression of interest (no more than one page) explaining what draws you to this role and what you would bring to RRN, along with a short CV or profile.

We are committed to building a diverse Board and particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of displacement or migration. Previous trustee experience is not required; we offer induction, training and ongoing support to help you succeed in the role.