Treasurer, Chair of Finance Audit & Risk

What will you be doing?

The Foundation's investment assets are divided between property (commercial and developable land) and an investment portfolio.  In the financial year 2024/25 the Foundation made total donations of £1.4m.  The Trustees seek to preserve the long-term real value of the capital held and to generate a sustainable inflation proofed level of donations in order to deliver a predictable level of support to the Papworth Trust and other disability charities.

 Financial performance and the level of reserves are regularly monitored and reviewed.  The role of Trustee provides vital support to our charity by helping us to manage our substantial assets and to ensure that there is good governance and professional management in place to ensure that these are deployed effectively to meet our long-term sustainable financial goals.  

The Treasurer and Chair of Finance, audit and Risk Committee is the trustee who provides assurance to the Board that the charity's finances, controls and risks are sound and well controlled.

What are we looking for?

Knowledge and experience

• Charity sector knowledge and more than 5 years' relevant experience.
• Senior-level experience in finance, audit and/or risk management
• Understanding of charity accounting and audit processes and financial controls.
• Experience Chairing Committees or Boards.
• Ability to balance performance, risk and compliance in decision making.
• Confidence in engaging with auditors, fund managers and regulators.
• Board ready level, ideally with experience gained as a Trustee or Non-Executive Director in a similar organisation.
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship.

Skills and abilities

• Ability to distil information from disparate sources and apply independent judgement to this.
• Willingness to apply technical expertise to support staff in decision making.
• Ability to build strong relationships with fellow Trustees and communicate openly.

Personal style and behaviour

• Independent, strategic and creative thinker
• Collaborative team player
• Committed to the values of the Foundation and to acting with integrity

What difference will you make?

As a Trustee with an understanding of charity accounting, audit processes, risk management and financial controls this role will provide detailed oversight and assurance about the charity's financial position and forward plans, in addition to performance and reporting.

This role will also link to the Property and Investment Committees, both of which have representation on the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

Capable oversight and stewardship of the Foundation's finances are essential to ensure valuable support can be provided to disabled people for the foreseeable future.

Documents included are as follows:

• Candidate Pack
• Role Description - Treasurer & Chair of Finance, Audit & Risk Committee
• Terms of Reference - Finance, Audit & Risk Committee

Additional information

You can download the following documents:

Before you apply

Please make contact, in the first instance, through Reach. We will then be happy to arrange for an informal discussion with the Chief Executive or Chair. Formal applications will be through a covering letter and detailed CV.