Job Description
Job Description — Trustee (Board Member), UKSA
Purpose of the Role
Trustees provide strategic leadership, stewardship, and assurance so that UKSA delivers its Vision and Purpose and operates with integrity, effectiveness, and compliance. The Board sets risk appetite, approves strategy and budgets, and ensures robust oversight of safeguarding, health & safety, data protection, fundraising compliance, and financial controls.
About UKSA
UKSA is a dynamic maritime youth charity that transforms lives through the power of the sea, opening doors for thousands of young people every year to discover confidence, purpose and opportunity. With a proud history of inspiring the next generation of mariners, UKSA delivers world‑class training, life‑changing experiences and meaningful pathways into maritime careers, welcoming around 11,000 learners annually and empowering those who face the greatest barriers to succeed.
UKSA’s Strategic Plan 2025–2030 is built around three objectives—Inspire a Lifelong Passion for the Sea, Deliver World‑Class Maritime Training, and Build a Strong and Lasting Future—underpinned by the values Excellence, Inspiration, Caring, Integrity. Trustees are expected to champion these objectives and values in all decisions.
Key Responsibilities:
* Strategy & Impact: Approve the Strategic Plan and KPIs; monitor delivery through quarterly performance, risk and implementation reports; safeguard UKSA’s charitable purposes and impact for beneficiaries.
* Governance & Compliance: Ensure compliance with Charity and Company law and key Charity Commission guidance (e.g., CC3, CC8, CC20, CC14, CC29); uphold UKSA’s governance‑critical policies (Safeguarding; H Data Protection & Cyber; Whistleblowing; Conflicts of Interest; Reserves; Fundraising).
* Risk, Safeguarding & Serious Incidents: Oversee the Risk Management Framework and risk appetite; scrutinise quarterly strategic risk; ensure robust safeguarding assurance and appropriate escalation/reporting of serious incidents.
* Financial Stewardship: Approve budgets, reforecasts, Long‑Term Financial Plan, reserves and investment policies; ensure effective internal financial controls and accurate financial reporting; approve Annual Report & Accounts.
* Board Effectiveness & Culture: Support trustee recruitment, induction, appraisal and succession; champion diversity, equity and inclusion and a healthy organisational culture aligned to UKSA’s values.
* External Advocacy: Act as an ambassador for UKSA, strengthening stakeholder relationships, philanthropy, partnerships, and reputation.
Committee Participation
Trustees typically serve on at least one Board sub‑committee. UKSA currently operates:
* Finance & Investment Sub‑Committee (FSC) — financial performance, capital, reserves/treasury, investment, and external audit interface.
* Risk Sub‑Committee — independent assurance across risk, safeguarding, H&S, compliance, data/cyber, serious incidents.
* People, Remuneration & Governance Sub‑Committee — CEO objectives/remuneration (CEO recused), pay framework, culture, governance effectiveness.
* Fundraising, Partnerships & Development Sub‑Committee — fundraising strategy and compliance (CC20/Regulator Code), partnerships, product lifecycle, reputational risk.
Time Commitment & Meetings:
* Four Board meetings per year (typically Fridays, in person at Cowes), plus an annual strategy day.
* Sub‑committees meet at least quarterly (some hybrid/online).
* Occasional stakeholder/events attendance (2–4 events per year).
Terms of Appointment:
* Initial four‑year term; eligible for re‑appointment for one additional term (extensions in exceptional circumstances).
* Voluntary, with reasonable pre‑agreed travel expenses reimbursed in line with the Trustee Code.
Person Specification (Core):
* Commitment to UKSA’s Vision, Purpose and values; passion for widening access to maritime education and employment.
* Strategic leadership experience with sound judgement; ability to hold the executive to account and contribute constructively to Board dynamics.
* Governance literacy and familiarity with Charity Commission guidance (CC3/CC8/CC20/CC14/CC29) and safeguarding duties.
* Financial and risk acumen sufficient to read management accounts, interrogate financial and risk information, and approve statutory reports.
* Inclusive approach; commitment to diversity and to the welfare and development of young people.
Desirable Expertise (at least one of):
* Finance & Commercial (long‑term planning, capital/estates, growth, service‑led businesses, digital).
* Education/Youth/Safeguarding (schools/FE/HE, youth development, welfare, policy insight).
* Fundraising & Partnerships (campaigns, case for support, HNWIs, trusts/foundations).
* People & Learning – HR, workforce planning, reward, culture, learning & development, organisational design.
* Maritime Industry – maritime operations, training, regulation, safety systems, seafarer pathways or industry networks.
* IT, Digital Transformation & Cyber — technology strategy, CRM/LMS, data governance, cyber security, digital product/service transformation, change management across systems and processes.
Standards & Conduct:
* Adhere to UKSA’s Trustee Code and Conflicts of Interest policy; act with integrity, independence, and collective responsibility; maintain confidentiality.