Volunteer Chair of the Board of Trustees | United Kingdom Mathematics Trust

Are you an experienced leader with a love of mathematics and knowledge of the Charity and/or education sector, looking for an opportunity to lead a national charity?

What will you be doing?

All UKMT volunteers, including Trustees, are encouraged to serve a minimum of three years. Trustees normally serve between three and six years.

The Board of Trustees currently meets four times a year with meetings lasting for two to three hours. Some meetings are in person (usually London or Leeds); some are online. You will also be invited to attend UKMT events to gain a good understanding of the activities of the Trust. Training (for example in Safeguarding) and induction will be provided.

In addition to preparing for and attending Board meetings, Trustees participate in email discussions from time to time throughout the year. The time commitment required will vary but is not likely to exceed 5 hours in a single month.

Many Trustees choose to volunteer in other aspects of the UKMT, for example, serving on Board Committees or setting and marking problems.

Description Of Tasks

• Chairing meetings of the Board of Trustees.
• Chairing the Annual General Meeting.
• Managing and communicating regularly with the Executive Director.
• Understanding the importance of the work of our volunteers, and ensuring effective communication with the Trust’s volunteering community.
• Ensuring the Board of Trustees has the range of skills required to carry out its role, making sure all Trustees understand their role, and managing any conflicts of interest.
• Encouraging the Board of Trustees to work as an effective team, to participate constructively during meetings and to take their share in the work of any committees.
• Investigating or dealing with escalated complaints or misconduct as per the Code of Practice and Grievance Policy for Volunteers.
• Leading strategic developments within the Trust, in partnership with the Executive Director.

Additional Responsibilities May Also Include

• Being an ambassador for the UKMT at external meetings and events, such as meetings with government or potential sponsors, or at volunteer events.
• Acting as a spokesperson to represent the UKMT’s views, e.g., in the media.

What are we looking for?

The principles and personal attributes that individuals bring to the UKMT are as important as their skills and knowledge. These qualities enable Trustees to use their skills and knowledge to function well as part of a team and to make an active contribution to effective governance. The Chair of the Board of Trustees should demonstrate

• Strong commitment to the UKMT’s aim and goals.
• Experience of collaborative leadership and chairing meetings.
• Experience in a trustee / non-executive director role.
• Knowledge of good governance.
• Experience in a strategic role, and an understanding of the differences between strategic and operational roles.
• Excellent knowledge of or willingness to learn about mathematical enrichment in the UK and beyond.
• Willingness to take a leading role in the work of the Trust, devoting the required time and energy to help advance the education of young people in mathematics.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding, and an understanding of the UKMT policies relating to this.
• Creativity and willingness to challenge conventional wisdom in an appropriate manner and open-mindedness about new approaches, recognising the value of innovation and creative thinking to organisational development and success.
• Ability to communicate views and opinions clearly and in a constructive manner in person and via email.
• Willingness to listen and work in partnership with others.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with Trustees, our volunteering community, the Executive Director and other staff, and with other stakeholders as appropriate.
• Ability to deal with challenging situations in a courteous but, where necessary, firm manner.

We are looking for the new Chair to be in post by April 2023. If the successful candidate is available before then, a handover period with the current Interim Chair is likely to be beneficial. If the successful candidate is not available until shortly after April 2023, a later start can be negotiated.

What difference will you make?

Trustees set the strategic direction and shape the agenda of the Trust. Trustees also have the responsibility to ensure that the charity carries out its purposes for public benefit; to ensure that the Trust complies with the law and its governing document; to ensure that the Trust is accountable; to act in the Trust’s best interests; to manage the Trust’s resources responsibly; and to act with reasonable care and skill. More information about Trustees’ responsibilities can be found on the Government website.

Before you apply

Please apply via Reach to then receive further information regarding the role and for a conversation about the recruitment process.

Causes

• Children / families
• Education
• Young people

Organisation type

Charity

The UK Mathematics Trust was founded in 1996 and our charitable aim is to advance the education of young people in mathematics.

We do this by working with hundreds of volunteers across the…