We're strengthening our board and need a finance trustee to lead our financial oversight. If you have a head for numbers and want to help protect an organisation that supports SEND families across Wigan, we'd love to hear from you.
What difference will you make?
Without sound financial oversight, even the best-run organisation is exposed. Right now, the board manages its financial responsibilities carefully, but without a trustee who can lead confidently in this space. Your involvement changes that. You’ll give the board the financial literacy and confidence it needs to make well-informed decisions about spending, reserves, risk and longer‑term sustainability. You’ll ensure our accounts are properly overseen and that our financial controls are appropriate for an organisation of our size and complexity.
What are we looking for?
We need someone who genuinely cares about what we do for the SEND families in Wigan, and who brings that commitment to the table alongside their professional skills. You don’t need personal experience of the SEND system, but you do need to understand why the forum’s work matters and take your role in safeguarding it seriously.
Professionally, we’re looking for someone with a solid background in finance or accounting. You’ll be confident in reading and presenting financial statements, comfortable with concepts such as reserves, risk and cash flow, and able to lead the board’s thinking on our financial position. Ideally, you’ll have some familiarity with charity accounting, though we would consider someone keen to get up to speed quickly if they’re strong in every other respect.
Just as important as your technical knowledge is how you communicate it. Our board includes people from a range of backgrounds, and not everyone is financially fluent. We need a finance trustee who can explain things clearly to non-specialists and help the whole board feel genuinely informed, not just the people who already understand the numbers.
We’re looking for someone who is rigorous without being inflexible and who understands that financial governance in a small charity is as much about judgment as it is about process. The questions we face aren’t always straightforward, and we need someone who can hold complexity and still help us make clear decisions.
If you have experience in the voluntary or community sector, that’s a definite advantage. Experience of supporting an organisation through a period of change or growth would also be particularly valuable.
No previous trustee experience is needed. We’ll provide a full induction and make sure you feel supported from day one. We’re a small, collaborative board that takes governance seriously and genuinely values what each trustee brings.
Location
This role is hybrid.
We would particularly welcome applications from parent carers
We would particularly welcome applications from parent carers — people with lived experience of navigating the SEND system with their child or young person. It isn’t a requirement, but it matters to us that our board reflects the community we serve and that perspectives are genuinely valued around our table.
Finance Trustee - Charitable Board & Governance Leader employer: Wigan Parent Carer Forum
Wigan Parent Carer Forum is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the SEND community. As a trustee, you'll join a dedicated team that values collaboration and inclusivity, providing you with opportunities to influence strategic communications while supporting families who face real challenges. With a commitment to professional growth and a welcoming environment, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to a vital cause while developing your governance skills.
