Non Executive Chair in Exeter

Chair (Non-Executive) – Board of Directors

Location: Home-based, with some travel across the South West

Time commitment: Approximately 4 days per month

Do you care about the work of the Wildlife Trusts and want to make a real difference to the future of our treasured wildlife?

Company Description

South West Wildlife Fundraising Ltd (SWWFL) works to inspire people to support their local Wildlife Trusts by encouraging membership and regular donations. Operating across the south and west of the UK, SWWFL manages teams of Membership Recruiters who engage the public at local events and venues. The organisation is wholly owned by the Wildlife Trusts it supports, ensuring that surpluses are reinvested into conservation efforts. Committed to ethical and effective face-to-face fundraising, SWWFL complies with legal standards and the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice, as well as the Chartered Institute of Fundraising standards, to help secure vital support for wildlife preservation.

About the role

SWWFL, a wholly-owned trading subsidiary of 8 regional Wildlife Trusts, is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to take on the role of Non-Executive Chair of the Board. This is a pivotal leadership position, providing direction to the Board of Directors, supporting the Chief Executive Officer, and strengthening relationships with our owning Wildlife Trusts and partnerships with client Trusts.

You will also serve as a Company Director of SWWFL, sharing responsibility for the oversight, stewardship, and long-term success of the organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a purpose-driven organisation supporting the work of The Wildlife Trusts across the extended South West.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Board of Directors, ensuring effective governance, decision-making and accountability
• Work closely with the CEO, providing both support and constructive challenge
• Ensure strong strategic alignment between SWWFL and its owning Wildlife Trusts and client Wildlife Trusts
• Oversee financial performance, risk management and regulatory compliance
• Chair Board meetings and ensure effective participation from all Directors
• Act as an ambassador for SWWFL with external stakeholders and partner Wildlife Trusts
• Lead the annual appraisal and development of the CEO

Governance and Director responsibilities

• Acting in accordance with the SWWFL Memorandum & Articles of Association and Members’ Agreement
• Exercising independent judgement, care and diligence
• Ensuring robust governance, financial oversight and risk management
• Supporting long-term sustainable success of the business

Terms of appointment

• The Chair is appointed by majority vote of the Board
• Term: normally 3 years, may be renewed, with annual performance review by the Board and owning Trusts
• The Chair role is remunerated, via a contracting agreement, in recognition of additional responsibilities
• The person appointed must, therefore, have appropriate and genuine self‑employed status (or equivalent) to receive payment
• Where a Trustee of an owning Wildlife Trust is appointed, they cannot receive remuneration in line with SWWFL governance arrangements
• All Directors (including the Chair in their Director capacity) are subject to SWWFL governance requirements

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

Experience

• Proven experience of chairing meetings
• Senior strategic leadership experience (ideally in a commercial environment)
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building experience

Skills & knowledge

• Strong understanding of governance and regulatory requirements
• High level of financial literacy
• Experience in risk management and organisational oversight
• Strategic, decisive and emotionally intelligent
• Collaborative and diplomatic, with strong interpersonal skills
• Confident in an ambassadorial role
• Committed to the mission of The Wildlife Trusts

Time commitment

• Regular meetings with the CEO and Finance Manager
• 6 Board and Stakeholder meetings annually
• 4 Finance & Remuneration Committee meetings
• Meetings with auditors and owning Trust CEOs

Some travel across the South West will be required, although many meetings are held remotely.

The Chair does not need to be an employee of an owning Wildlife Trust. However, they do need to be a member of their local Wildlife Trust, and they will operate within a Board that includes Directors who are drawn from the owning Trusts:

Avon, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire Wildlife Trusts.

This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in a values-driven organisation, helping to support vital conservation work across the South West and beyond.