Volunteer Chair of Trustees to Help Drive Strategy for UK Muscular Dystrophy Charity

What will you be doing?

Small multi award-winning family-centred charity uniquely tackling the isolating and debilitating muscle wasting disease Muscular Dystrophy (MD) for children, young people and young adults (8-28yrs). Our vision is a world of hope, purpose, inspiration and empowerment for all children with MD. We deliver highly personalised interventions (in-person & virtual) in the UK called Muscle Dreams that provide powerful physiological and psychological benefits from improving emotional and mental wellness to boosting confidence. Experience and charity governance… As the charity moves into its 21st Anniversary year and closer to realising its 657 mission, we have an exciting opportunity for someone to bring their leadership and communication skills to the fore. Previous trustee experience and charity governance are essential. ​Main duties for MHF’s Chair You will work closely with the charity’s founder and CEO but also you will lead the trustees in strategy, good governance, and policy development. As part of this engagement, the Chair will provide support to the CEO, including supporting his wellbeing and ongoing professional development. Other duties will include:

When necessary, ensure the Chair and Trustees challenge the CEO constructively and only in the best interests of the charity as ‘critical friends’. Liaising with the Charity Secretary, and the CEO with drafting agendas and supporting papers for Trustee meetings, ensuring provision of timely information and sharing with all. Ensure charity business is covered efficiently and effectively in meetings. Undertake a leadership role to ensure that board members fulfil their governance responsibilities and that trustee decisions are acted upon. Maintain trustees’ commitment to board renewal, succession planning and trustee performance reviews, in line with MHF’s governing document. Ensure board and trustee performance is reviewed annually. Ensure the performance of the CEO is reviewed annually.

What are we looking for?

Key criteria is a fundamental belief in our cause, a compassionate leadership style, good team player with proven experience and understanding of governance, strategy and oversight, underpinned by the Principles of Public Life (known as the Nolan Principles) of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

You will have a commitment to the charity’s values and in your role as Chair, you will bring enthusiasm, understanding and a passion for our work, underpinned by great communication skills and finally, a desire to want to make a difference to the lives of our beneficiary community.

The Chair will also ensure that Trustees make an effective contribution and are engaged, fully involved and invested in the charity in discharging their responsibilities. Additionally, the role of the Chair will be to:

Ensure that whenever practicable, Trustees commit to attending some of MHF’s Muscle Dream programmes, providing opportunities to not only meet the CEO but also the charity’s beneficiaries, their families, and the incredible volunteers that support MHF’s ongoing work. To ensure that major risks to which the charity is exposed are reviewed regularly, as required, and systems are established to mitigate these risks.

MHF is looking for a Chair who not only has experience of being a charity trustee or someone who has held a senior management role, but also an individual who has a keen sense of strategic purpose, underpinned by an inclusive and compassionate style of leadership.

Ability to maintain confidences and a relationship of trust with the CEO. Ability to foster a collaborative board environment. Advocate MHF’s work through personal networks and other channels. Being responsive – as a small charity, things sometimes ‘come up’ that require the Chair to advise, support or authorise. MHF is seeking a Chair that’s available and responsive. Understanding of the context in which MHF works and a commitment to its values, which adds to public confidence and trust in the charity. Strong communication, listening and interpersonal skills. Professional or relevant business-related experience and knowledge and/or the ability to demonstrate the necessary skills needed to support MHF’s professional interests. Passion, enthusiasm, and time to dedicate to this key role.

What difference will you make?

The appointment of a new Chair is a key role in our charity at this exciting time. Your leadership and commitment to the role will ensure we continue to provide our much-needed support and services via our Muscle Dream initiatives to our vulnerable beneficiaries. You will contribute to the governance of our small national charity that's respected and well known in the UK across the broad muscular dystrophy space. You will have a real opportunity to bring your unique skills in helping the strategic progression of the charity as it moves closer to realising it's 657 mission but also contributing and steering the conversation about the charity's future development when it achieves it's 657 purpose, anticipated in the next 2-3 years. You will act as an storyteller/advocate in promoting the charity's work across your network. You will receive induction, support and Chair training (via the Assoc of Chairs) if needed. You will have an opportunity to bring your lived experience, in using (and further developing) your skills for the benefit of others. In your role as Chair, you will not only energize and bring the team together, but you will also harness your leadership skills in moving the organisation to a more sustainable place.