Trustee Including Treasurer in England

In a typical year, one in four children in an average classroom will leave primary school unable to read well. These children are more likely to struggle in school and beyond and are at risk of joining the seven million adults in the UK who experience difficulty with basic reading on a daily basis. Literacy affects far more than academic attainment—it underpins the ability to read a road sign, understand a safety manual, complete a job application, or read a medical prescription. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately affected: four in ten children eligible for free school meals are unable to read well by the age of 11. Poor literacy outcomes are linked to limited employment prospects, poorer health, low self-esteem, and reduced life expectancy.

Bookmark's mission is simple and urgent: every child should be able to read. As a leading reading charity for primary-aged children, Bookmark partners with schools to build whole-school reading cultures and deliver one-to-one reading support. Through its flexible, volunteer-led programmes, the charity provides children with the reading skills and confidence they need to access a fair chance in life. Bookmark has successfully delivered the first year of its three-year strategy and is working towards partnering with 1,000 primary schools, enabling 500,000 children to benefit from a Bookmark literacy programme.

Bookmark is seeking to appoint three new Trustees to join its Board:

• Treasurer, to support the financial health and statutory responsibilities of the charity
• Trustee with experience in AI, digital or technology
• Trustee with experience in education or literacy

Applicants with strong skills, experience or knowledge that support the effective and efficient administration of the charity are welcomed. Bookmark is also keen to increase diversity on its Board, in its widest sense, including diversity of background, lived experience, career path and perspective.

Core Trustee responsibilities

The duties of a Bookmark Trustee include:

• Working collaboratively with fellow Trustees to shape, drive and monitor the charity's strategy and ensure a clear strategic direction
• Preparing for and actively participating in Board meetings and one or more sub-committees or advisory boards, with each Trustee expected to chair a sub-committee or advisory board
• Applying relevant skills, knowledge and experience to support effective decision-making, including scrutinising Board papers, leading discussions, and providing guidance on new initiatives
• Championing equality, diversity and inclusion at Board level, working with the Senior Leadership Team to improve practice and communicate diversity strategies across staff, volunteers, schools and stakeholders
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the charity, including appropriate policies and procedures
• Ensuring compliance with charity law and all relevant legal and regulatory requirements
• Defining organisational goals and evaluating performance against agreed targets
• Safeguarding the charity's reputation, values and public benefit, and promoting the charity externally
• Ensuring resources are applied exclusively in pursuit of the charity's objects
• Supporting financial stability, risk management, and the protection and appropriate investment of the charity's assets

Additional responsibilities – Treasurer

The Treasurer will also be responsible for:

• Overseeing the charity's financial health, including budgeting, financial controls, cash flow and reserves
• Ensuring compliance with statutory financial reporting requirements and supporting the preparation of the annual report and accounts
• Providing oversight of audits and liaising with external auditors or independent examiners
• Advising the Board on the financial implications of strategic and operational plans
• Overseeing Bookmark's approach to financial risk management

Essential

• Relevant experience aligned to the responsibilities outlined above
• A strong commitment to social change and to Bookmark Reading Charity's mission and strategic objectives
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• An understanding of the charity as a commercially-driven, fast-paced and dynamic organisation
• Sound independent judgement and creative thinking
• Confidence to contribute openly and constructively at Board level
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Strong networking skills that can be utilised for the benefit of the charity
• Willingness to commit the necessary time, including attendance at events outside normal working hours
• Commitment to Nolan's Seven Principles of Public Life

Treasurer-specific essential criteria

• Knowledge of charity finances, the Charities SORP and Charity Commission requirements
• A recognised professional accountancy qualification and/or substantial financial management experience
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to Trustees and other stakeholders

Desirable

• Lived experience of literacy challenges or professional experience in the literacy sector
• Experience of strategy development
• Experience of charity governance, particularly within children's or education-focused organisations
• Fundraising, business growth or entrepreneurial experience

Equality and diversity

Bookmark is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation. All appointments are made on merit, and applications are welcomed from individuals of all backgrounds. As the Board seeks to better reflect the communities Bookmark serves, applications are particularly encouraged from candidates who are currently under-represented at Board level, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and socially diverse applicants. Candidates who do not meet every requirement but are passionate about the mission and believe they can contribute meaningfully are encouraged to apply.

Safeguarding

Bookmark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All Trustees are required to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to appropriate safeguarding checks, including references and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) screening.

Application process

Application deadline: Monday 16 February **** Shortlisting: w/c 16 February **** (responses by 20 February) First-round interviews (in person, Central London): w/c 23 February and 2 March **** Second-round interviews (online): Friday 13 March and w/c 16 March **** Final interviews (in person, Central London): 26 or 31 March ****