Fundraising Trustee Candidate Information Pack in partnership with
Background History In 1832, the appropriately named Thomas Helps, an eminent trader in the City of London, became the first Chairman of a society designed to support employees who worked in the wholesale drapery sector – ‘The Linen and Woollen Drapers, Silk Mercers, Lacemen, Haberdashers and Hosiers’ Institution’. The aim of this society was to build a “confederacy of good feeling and right principle” to support members of their trade when they faced hard times. Like the sector it serves, the charity (now called Retail Trust) has had to change and adapt over the years to keep pace with the fast-changing retail and economic climate. This has been central to ensuring that the charity is as relevant to people working in retail today as it was over 180 years ago. Activities Retail Trust is the only charity in the UK that looks after all three million people working in the retail sector, plus those retired from the industry, and associated businesses, and their family members. It provides help and support to people whatever challenges they face, including home, family, health, finance or work issues. The charity’s services include free counselling, legal advice and a confidential helpline.
Candidate Information Pack Fundraising Trustee, retailTRUST
The trust engages with unemployed youth through its retailRIGHT programme designed to give young disadvantaged people the opportunity to gain life and work skills. The Trust also helps with funding for qualifications and courses. From GCSEs and NVQs to Masters degrees, support is provided to many employees within the sector to achieve their full potential. Retail Trust works in partnerships with major retailers to provide an outsourced employee assistance programme (EAP). A helpline is made available for all staff facing difficulties and in need of confidential advice and support on personal, family, home, health, finance and work related problems. For those retired from the sector, Retail Trust also offers accommodation with supported living arrangements enabling people to live independently in their own homes on estates in London, Derby, Liverpool, Salford and Glasgow. The Trust is currently supporting some 374 residents at these locations.
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Background Retail Trust offers many of these services free of charge to those working in retail and is continually expanding its offering to help more people in need. Fundraising to support the charity’s activities is therefore hugely important; amongst the larger means of fundraising is the annual London Ball held at the end of January which this year raised over £0.75 million. Raising awareness of the Trust within the sector is equally important, both to ensure that those eligible for support take advantage of the Trust’s services and to generate funding from corporate supporters for the future needs of those working in the industry. In 2015/2016, the Trust’s revenues were in excess of £9.4 million. Net fundraising as it comes towards the end of its financial year 2016/17 is 55% higher than twelve months ago albeit the previous year was a poor result. Demand for the Trust’s services is growing at the rate of over 20% year on year and with the introduction of online services in 2017 should grow more rapidly.
Background to the Appointment At this critical time, the Trust is looking to appoint Trustees to replace those who are nearing retirement. Under the stewardship of the current Executive team good progress has been made in the mission to “improve the lives of all involved” with retail but there is much still to be done in increasing the reach and relevance of the charity. The new Trustees will join the existing Trustees to oversee and give strategic support to this momentum for change and modernisation. The raising of the bar in terms of fundraising will be pivotal and Retail Trust seek someone with considerable expertise in this discipline.
The Trust is involved with the nascent Credit Union for Retail (retailCURe) which could well prove be the most important charity initiative in the sector. It has a widespread group of industry supporters and is attracting support from Westminster as part of the Credit Union’s aims to triple the number of members by 2018 from 1million to 3million.
Candidate Information Pack Fundraising Trustee, retailTRUST
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The Role The Board of Trustees, which currently numbers ten plus a Chair, has members who have experience or exposure to the retail sector and others who bring the appropriate governance expertise in terms of finance, audit, social housing, and legal compliance. To ensure that the charity’s strategy is relevant, robust and considered as well as appropriately prioritised, focused and resourced it is important to strengthen the group with additional expertise from within the fundraising community. The Board has four working committees tasked with leading, delivering and reporting on specific aspects of the charity’s activities including Fundraising and Marketing, Property and Supported Living, as well as the more traditional areas of Finance and Audit, Remuneration and Nominations. The new Trustees would be expected to participate in at least one of the Committees and may be asked to Chair the Fundraising & Marketing Committee in the future. The Trustees contribution and development through the Board Committees will ensure the Board functions as an effective team.
The Trustees collectively must ensure that the work of the Trust is carried out in accordance with approved principles, policies, strategies and regulatory requirements. To this end, they will review the composition and effectiveness of the Trust’s governance arrangements and, when necessary, bring about proposals for change. The Trustee group must also ensure that any new initiatives, changes of strategy, and matters which involve significant risk or controversy are scrutinised and debated effectively. Collectively they will have a duty to avoid risk and protect the assets of the charity. The Trustee will act as an ambassador for Retail Trust at a senior level by promoting its values, policies and decisions and influencing and lobbying organisations, and external bodies, as relevant to their areas of expertise.
Candidate Information Pack Fundraising Trustee, retailTRUST
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The Candidate Candidates must bring previous Board level executive and/or non-executive experience in a changing and complex environment with especial knowledge and experience in the area of fundraising. They are likely to have had a career in industry prior to coming into the charity sector and building a successful track record in fundraising. They may well have progressed to the role of Chief Executive in a small or medium-sized charity or been Director of Fundraising in a large national charity. They may be recently retired from such a role. More important is that they possess the stature and experience to win the respect of all stakeholders concerned with the charity. The ability to think strategically and for the longer term, focusing on commercial needs of the organisation, whilst acting responsibly towards both sponsors and beneficiaries is key.
Candidate Information Pack Fundraising Trustee, retailTRUST
Experience in chairing meetings effectively will be key to leading Board Committees, including the ability to facilitate everyone’s contribution; achieving consensus; and bringing discussions and debate to a fruitful outcome. This role will require strong influencing skills which have a positive impact on others, whilst holding them to account for the delivery of agreed targets and objectives. The Trustee must be conversant with the complementary roles of Executives and Trustees (Non-Executives) and experienced in working constructively and collaboratively with both. Experience of working in a changing environment and leading an organisation through change would be advantageous. A commitment to the provision of high quality services to the family of retail both past and present will be pivotal.
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The Candidate Main duties The following attributes will be essential: • Commercial ability and business acumen • Clear and effective thinker and communicator - communicates concisely and focuses on key issues • A reasonable level of financial literacy – preferable but not mandatory • Mergers and acquisitions experience - desirable but not essential. Retail Trust aims to be a consolidator of the fragmented retail charity sector • Strong self-awareness – understands impact on others • Personal integrity within three fundamental values – accountability, probity and transparency • Drive for results and improvement – focusing on outcomes in all services • Commitment to promoting equality and understanding diversity issues • An ability to forge partnerships and manage diverse relationships
This role is a ‘pro bono’ appointment, with a tenure of three years. The Board of Trustees sits five times per year. Meetings are held around the UK at our five Support Centres, Glasgow, Liverpool, Salford, Derby and Mill Hill. Each meeting typically takes two to three hours and requires committment to the reading of Board papers prior to the meetings. The Trustee will be expected to join Board Committees which would involve three further meetings per year per committee. Liaison with Trustees and Key Executives should take place regularly on a monthly basis or as needs arise from time to time. In total the overall time commitment should be not more than the equivalent of eight to ten days a year although if the Trustee wished to devote more time the Trust would be delighted.
Candidate Information Pack Fundraising Trustee, retailTRUST
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How to Apply Please apply by submitting a copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter highlighting your suitability for the position by email to: jack.quarrie@execucare.com For an informal conversation prior to applying to this role, please contact Execucare, Retail Trust’s executive search consultant: Christine Buccella Executive Search Consultant Execucare christine.buccella@execucare.com
Candidate Information Pack Fundraising Trustee, retailTRUST
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