Advertised from 28 August 2026

Role

Richmond’s Hope provides support for children and young people aged 4-18 years who have been bereaved. The charity provides a safe space for children to work through their grief both verbally and non verbally, to preserve memories of the person who has died, to explore their feelings, to develop coping strategies and to understand the impact the bereavement has had on their lives.

As Chair of Richmond’s Hope, you will help govern the charity, ensuring we remain legally compliant, financially sound, and true to our mission. Trustees are not involved in day-to-day operations but provide strategic oversight and support to the leadership team. The Chair supports the CEO.

The term of office is three years with an option to serve a further three year term.

All trustees must have or be prepared to gain an understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities inherent in the role and be eligible to act as a Charity Trustee.

Role description:

Leadership

• Leading the Board effectively
• Setting Board culture
• Managing trustee performance and development
• Ensuring effective decision making

Governance

• Monitoring risk
• Board succession planning
• Governance review
• Compliance oversight

CEO relationship

• Supporting and challenging the CEO
• Performance review
• Acting as a sounding board

Delegation and accountability

• External profile
• Representing the charity
• Supporting fundraising introductions
• Stakeholder engagement

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience serving as a trustee or non-executive director
• Experience chairing meetings and facilitating discussion
• Strong strategic thinking skills
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Commitment to the mission and values of Richmond's Hope
• Understanding of good governance

Desirable

• Previous Chair experience
• Fundraising or income generation expertise
• Finance experience
• Public sector, NHS or social care knowledge
• Legal or HR expertise

Application notes

If you would like to be considered for the Chair role, please email a.cairns@richmondshope.org.uk with the following:

• a CV outlining your employment and volunteering history and a summary of main duties and responsibilities. If you are retired, please tell us about your last period of employment.
• A maximum 500-word statement based on what you feel you can bring to the charity. You should clearly explain your ability and/or experience in relation to supporting the charity in its aims and fulfilling the role of Chair.

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be asked to provide us with the names and contact details of two people who can provide references. Applicants are required to declare any unspent criminal convictions. The Charities Act disqualifies people convicted of offences involving dishonesty or deception (unless the conviction is legally regarded as spent), undischarged bankrupts and those disqualified from company directorship from acting as charity Trustees.

Selected candidates will be invited to visit a Richmond's Hope base and meet the CEO and staff team prior to a formal interview.

Find out more about us on our website

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