Regional Advisory Board Chair - Yorkshire & North East

The time commitment is expected to be between 7-15 hours per month, including preparation for and attendance at Regional Advisory Board meetings, engagement with regional stakeholders, and participation in the Trust’s national Council meetings, which take place twice per year. The appointment is for an initial three-year term, with the option to be renewed.

The Canal & River Trust is seeking to appoint a Regional Advisory Board Chair for Yorkshire & the North East. This voluntary, non-executive role will provide leadership to the Regional Advisory Board, ensuring that the region’s needs, opportunities and priorities are well understood and that the Trust’s strategy is meaningfully shaped by local insight.

The Yorkshire & North East region is vast and diverse, covering North, South and West Yorkshire, East Riding, and parts of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Teesside. Across this region, the Trust is responsible for 320 miles of historic inland waterways that flow through open countryside, historic industrial towns, and major cities such as Leeds, Sheffield and York. It also cares for numerous reservoirs, listed and significant structures, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), including Bingley Five Rise Lock, Standedge Tunnel, Tuel Lane Lock and the Tees Barrage.

The Regional Advisory Board Chair will act as an ambassador for the Trust across the region, championing its work and helping to strengthen its relationships with local authorities, partner organisations, business leaders, community groups and volunteers. They will support the Trust to extend its reach, develop new partnerships and maximise the contribution the waterways can make to wellbeing and placemaking across the region.

The Chair will work closely with the Regional Director and senior leaders within the Trust, helping to ensure that regional opportunities are recognised and pursued, challenges are constructively addressed, and that the waterways continue to be valued as a community asset for generations to come. The Chair will also serve as a member of the Trust’s national governing Council, which meets twice per year, contributing regional insight and perspectives to national governance and strategy.

• Leading and chairing meetings of the Yorkshire & North East Regional Advisory Board
• Ensuring the Board provides constructive support and challenge to the regional team.
• Acting as an advocate for the Trust across the region, engaging with key stakeholders, elected representatives, community leaders and partner organisations.
• Supporting the Trust to strengthen its visibility, influence and engagement with communities across Yorkshire & the North East.
• Bringing regional knowledge and insight to strategic decisions and advising on local opportunities to enhance the impact of the waterways.
• Serving as a member of the Trust’s national Council, contributing to the charity’s wider governance and strategic direction.
• Championing the Trust’s mission, values and commitment to waterways and wellbeing.

The Canal & River Trust welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for the region and a belief in the importance of waterways for wellbeing, placemaking and environmental stewardship.

• Knowledge of the Yorkshire & North East region and its communities.
• A genuine commitment to local people and places.
• Experience engaging with a broad range of stakeholders, whether in the public, private or non-profit sectors.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to act as a persuasive and articulate ambassador for the Trust.

• Knowledge of the waterways, environmental sector, heritage assets or place-based regeneration.
• Experience of boating, volunteering, walking, cycling or using the waterways as part of daily life.
• Interest in regional economic development, community engagement or environmental policy.

Candidates will be collaborative, inclusive and committed to the Trust’s ambition to improve the wellbeing of the nation by making life better by water.

This is a voluntary role, but reasonable domestic travel expenses will be paid. If you are passionate about canals and waterways and want to contribute your expertise to our cause, we would love to hear from you!