Chair of Trustees – strategic leadership - Volunteer in Arlesey

Seeking a Chair to lead The How2Hub board, guiding governance, strategy and growth as we scale a fully inclusive careers platform linking schools and employers from Year 6 and secure sustainable funding for national impact.

This role will play a defining part in shaping the organisation’s ability to grow responsibly, sustainably, and with strong governance foundations. As Chair, the trustee will provide leadership and structure at a stage where clear oversight and strategic direction are essential to progress from early delivery into wider implementation. We are moving from pilot activity into a period where key decisions will determine how effectively we scale, build partnerships, and secure long‑term funding. The Chair’s guidance will help ensure that growth is intentional, well‑governed, and aligned with our mission to expand access to meaningful career opportunities for young people.

Their leadership will strengthen board effectiveness, enabling trustees to contribute strategically and confidently as the organisation develops. The impact of this role will be both immediate and long‑term. In the short term, the Chair will help refine governance processes, support board recruitment, and create a clear structure for decision‑making. This will provide stability and credibility as we engage with funders, partners, and education stakeholders. In the longer term, their influence will help shape an organisation capable of operating at scale while maintaining quality, accountability, and inclusion at its core.

Strong board leadership is particularly important at this stage because the organisation is building infrastructure rather than delivering a single standalone programme. The Chair’s oversight will help ensure that systems, strategy, and partnerships are developed in a way that supports sustainable expansion and measurable impact. Their contribution will directly affect how many schools, employers, and students we are able to reach. Ultimately, the Chair’s work will enable the organisation to move faster and with greater confidence toward its goals.

By strengthening governance and guiding strategic focus, they will help create the conditions that allow the wider team to deliver effectively and responsibly. This in turn supports our broader purpose improving access to real‑world experiences, raising aspirations, and helping young people make informed decisions about their futures. The difference this role makes will be visible in the organisation’s stability, growth, and reach. Effective leadership at board level will translate into stronger partnerships, increased resources, and greater impact for the communities we serve.

What are we looking for?

We are seeking a Chair who can provide confident, structured leadership to a growing organisation at a formative stage of development. The ideal candidate will bring prior board‑level experience and a strong understanding of governance, with the ability to guide strategic discussion, support decision‑making, and ensure accountability as the organisation scales. Most importantly, we are looking for someone who has previously operated in environments where organisations were transitioning from early delivery to sustainable growth.

Experience chairing a board, leading governance within a charity, social enterprise, public body, or regulated organisation would be particularly valuable. We welcome candidates who understand how to balance ambition with responsible oversight and who are comfortable supporting a founder‑led organisation as it strengthens its independent governance structure. We would particularly value experience in one or more of the following areas: organisational growth, funding strategy, partnership development, education systems, social impact delivery, or scaling digital or service platforms.

The ability to interpret strategic information, identify risks and opportunities, and help the board focus on priorities will be essential. The role requires someone who can create a constructive board culture — encouraging thoughtful challenge, inclusive discussion, and clear outcomes from meetings. We are seeking a Chair who is both supportive and appropriately questioning, and who can help ensure that board time is used effectively and strategically.

Personal credibility and sound judgement are important, as the Chair will represent the organisation in certain external contexts and help build confidence among partners and stakeholders. We are therefore looking for someone who communicates clearly, acts with integrity, and is committed to responsible leadership. We are especially interested in hearing from individuals whose professional or lived experience connects with our mission to expand access to opportunity for young people. This may include experience relating to education, social mobility, disability, neurodiversity, alternative education pathways, or non‑traditional career routes. Lived experience is welcomed because it strengthens board perspective and helps ensure our work remains grounded in real‑world understanding.

Above all, we are looking for a Chair who is motivated by impact and who wants to play a meaningful role in shaping an organisation designed to create long‑term, systemic change.

What will you be doing?

We are entering a pivotal phase of development and are seeking a Chair to lead our board through structured growth, strengthening governance and helping guide the organisation from early delivery stage into a stable, scalable model with national potential. Our current board is small and founder‑led, with strong commitment to the mission and early operational traction through school pilots, employer engagement and platform development.

As with many early‑stage social ventures, the immediate challenge is transitioning from founder‑driven activity to a balanced governance structure that can support scale, ensure accountability, and attract long‑term funding partners. This is where the Chair will play a critical role. Over the next 12–24 months the board will be making significant decisions relating to strategic direction, funding pathways, partnership development, and operational growth. We are moving from pilot delivery toward regional expansion, and need a Chair who can guide the board through this stage with clarity, structure, and confidence while maintaining focus on impact for young people.

The Chair will lead board meetings, support agenda setting, and ensure discussions result in clear actions and accountable decisions. They will work closely with the founder to shape board development, including recruiting additional trustees to strengthen expertise across fundraising, finance, education, and partnerships. The Chair will also help establish appropriate governance systems, policies, and reporting rhythms suitable for an organisation preparing to scale.

In addition to leading the main board, the Chair may oversee or support small sub‑groups as they form, particularly those focused on strategy, income development, or partnerships. They will act as a sounding board for the founder between meetings, offering perspective and challenge where needed while maintaining appropriate governance boundaries.

One of the most important aspects of this role is helping the organisation transition confidently into its next stage. We are building infrastructure rather than a single programme, and the Chair will help ensure that growth remains responsible, mission‑aligned, and sustainable. The decisions made at this stage will directly shape long‑term reach, impact, and credibility. This is an opportunity to take on a defining leadership role at a formative moment. The incoming Chair will not simply maintain an existing structure; they will help shape it. Their leadership will influence how quickly and effectively we can expand access to meaningful career opportunities for young people, including those who are often excluded from traditional pathways.

The role offers the chance to guide a mission‑driven organisation through a critical period of development and to help build something designed for lasting systemic impact.