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- Tasks: Join the Board as a Finance Trustee, guiding financial strategy and supporting tree planting initiatives.
- Company: Community Forest Trust champions England's Community Forests, enhancing environments for people and wildlife.
- Benefits: Gain experience in governance, network with passionate individuals, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving positive change in communities and the environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strategic finance experience; previous trustee experience is not required.
- Other info: CFT encourages applications from younger professionals and values diversity on their board.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Home / Roles / Finance Trustee | Community Forest Trust
The Community Forest Trust (CFT) supports, enables and champions England’s 15 Community Forests, creating a strong and resilient network of woodlands that enhance the environment for people, wildlife and the wider planet.
- Location: England-wide
Who we are.
Community Forest Trust supports, enables and champions England’s network of Community Forests so that they have an increasing and positive impact on people’s health and happiness and the environment – improving the agriculture, commerce, and climate of derelict or harmful sites.
Community Forests ensure urban areas are economically, socially and environmentally more sustainable and resilient for everyone. They support the regeneration of local communities and create better places. They also educate and empower people about environmental matters and transform places for the social and economic well-being of the community.
About the role.
CFT is a registered charity with a Board of Trustees and has a small but dynamic team.
They are currently looking for a Finance Trustee to join the Board to work with the existing Senior Finance Trustee.
This is a great opportunity to contribute to a high-profile agenda and support the delivery of national programmes of tree planting.
All trustees must be committed to helping take the organisation through the next few years of dynamic and exciting change, evolution of operations and on-the-ground delivery.
Who are we looking for?
CFT is looking for an additional Finance Trustee. They need to be aligned with CFT’s values and able to bring the skills listed below.
Person Specifications:
CFT need an additional board member with the specific skills, outlined below, who also brings vision and an appreciation and understanding of how to grow a network in a non-traditional and decentralised way that empowers all partners and stakeholders.
Strategic Finance & Risk Trustee:
CFT is seeking a finance and risk Trustee who has a background as a Chief Finance Officer, Finance Director or Finance Manager who can offer strategic guidance to a multi-faceted, multi-million-pound charity at this pivotal time in their growth.
This individual needs to be a qualified accountant with experience in operating at a strategic level. A person who appreciates the needs of a complex and growing organisation with diverse income and expenditure is needed for this role. CFT’s finances are multi-faceted because they apply for funding, distribute grants and are also developing their Green Finance work so that they can monetise the outputs of England’s Community Forests, as appropriate. They are also diversifying their income including through fundraising.
The new trustee will attend the quarterly Board meetings and also support the Senior Finance Trustee in chairing the quarterly Finance & Risk Committee for CFT. They will work with the CEO and Finance Manager as well as the external auditors concerning all financial matters and relevant reporting cycles.
We very much welcome applications from candidates without previous trustee experience.
All Trustees must align with CFT’s Values:
- CFT are passionate about the power of trees to transform urban environments.
- They aim to innovate, share knowledge and collaborate to achieve best practice in the field of community forestry.
- They see England’s Community Forests as a way to achieve widespread, environmental, social and economic benefits.
- CFT act as an advocate for England’s Community Forests and aims to listen, be responsive and work in close partnership; and
- They work in partnership with others. This includes a combined ECF level and the individual ECFs.
CFT are also interested in the development of diversity on their board and want to encourage younger professionals to apply.
For further information about the role, or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
If you would like to know more about this role please contact Marie McQuade.
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Finance Trustee | Community Forest Trust employer: Peridot Partners
Contact Detail:
Peridot Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Trustee | Community Forest Trust
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Community Forest Trust's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement will help you align your own experiences and vision with theirs during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former trustees of similar organisations. They can provide insights into the role and expectations, as well as tips on how to effectively contribute to a board in a charity setting.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your strategic finance experience in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've navigated financial complexities in previous roles, especially in non-profit or community-focused environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of the unique challenges faced by charities in diversifying income streams. Discuss innovative ideas you might have for fundraising or developing green finance initiatives that could benefit the Community Forest Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Trustee | Community Forest Trust
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of a Finance Trustee at the Community Forest Trust. Familiarise yourself with their mission and values to tailor your application accordingly.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience in finance, particularly in strategic roles such as Chief Finance Officer or Finance Director. Provide specific examples of how your skills can contribute to the CFT's goals.
Align with Values: Demonstrate your alignment with the Community Forest Trust's values in your application. Discuss your passion for environmental issues and community engagement, and how these align with the organisation's mission.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a personalised cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your enthusiasm for the role. Mention your understanding of the challenges faced by the CFT and how you can help navigate them.
How to prepare for a job interview at Peridot Partners
✨Understand the Organisation's Values
Before your interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with the Community Forest Trust's values and mission. Show how your personal values align with theirs, particularly regarding environmental sustainability and community engagement.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
As a Finance Trustee, you'll need to showcase your financial expertise. Be prepared to discuss your experience in strategic finance, risk management, and how you've contributed to financial growth in previous roles. Use specific examples to illustrate your points.
✨Highlight Collaborative Skills
CFT values collaboration, so be ready to talk about your experience working with diverse teams and stakeholders. Share examples of how you've successfully partnered with others to achieve common goals, especially in a non-traditional or decentralised setting.
✨Prepare Questions for the Board
Show your interest in the role by preparing thoughtful questions for the board during the interview. Ask about their current challenges, future plans, and how they envision the Finance Trustee contributing to their mission. This demonstrates your proactive approach and genuine interest.
