Could you be a Trustee or Trading Company Director and support Willowbrook Hospice?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for new Trustees and Directors to join Willowbrook’s Board of Trustees and our Trading Company. These new members will support the governance and strategic leadership of Willowbrook, bringing specific knowledge and professional expertise.  Being a Trustee or Director is a great way of making a real difference to a charity.  Trustees and Directors are volunteers who by being able to understand every aspect of a charity’s activities, can see the ‘bigger picture’ to influence and grow the charity.  Trustees oversee the function of the organisation, working collectively to deliver its charitable aims in the best interests of the charity.  As a trustee you have the ultimate legal responsibility for directing the affairs of a charity and therefore you will play a key role in its growth and success. You will also be responsible for ensuring that the charity meets its stated purpose and aims; ensuring it is both solvent and well run.  

So it isn’t always about what happens day to day; it is also about seeing and understanding this ‘bigger picture’.

How are decisions made?

Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with a willingness to engage with peers, senior staff, and key stakeholders are a necessary requirement, to facilitate strategic decision making and calculated risks. 

Trustee Board meetings are scheduled to take place no less than eight times a year.  Dates are circulated well in advance and there is a requirement that trustees attend all these board meetings.  The meetings are planned to take place face-to-face with occasional attendance possible via TEAMS.  Papers are sent to trustees in advance of each meeting which allows time for reading before the meeting to promote the opportunity for debate and decision.  This collective decision making means that all trustees actively support the outcome of discussions, regardless of their individual views.  It is then the responsibility of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to ensure the implementation of these decisions.  The ELT consists of a Corporate Director, Clinical Director and Medical Director.

Our Trading Company Directors are responsible for overseeing the performance of our income generating outlets comprising 10 shops, a café and room hire to ensure we maximise our income whilst managing our expenditure.  Their Directors’ meetings are scheduled every two months, with dates published well in advance.

All Committees and the Trading Company Directors meetings report back to the Board of Trustees.

Committees

The Board additionally operates five assurance committees, with their own Terms of Reference.  These groups are chaired by a Trustee, focusing on key areas – Finance, HR, Innovation and Technology, Income Generation and Clinical Assurance.  Trustees are asked to serve on at least one trustee committee and attend the meetings scheduled throughout the year.

We are currently looking for new Trustees and Directors (unremunerated), with a variety of experience and skills to increase our impact and strengthen our resilience.

Who are we looking for?

We are particularly keen to hear from you if you have experience in:

• Law
• Estates
• Technology and Communications
• Clinical
• Retail (including sales, merchandising, marketing and online sales)

For further information and to arrange an initial conversation with our Chairman, please contact Catherine Hutton, Executive PA to the Executive Management Team:

CatherineH@willowbrookhospice.org.uk  or on 0151 430 8736.

Download application form here.