Trusteeship for Thetford Heritage Trust Location: Thetford Thetford Heritage Trust, a newly formed charity is seeking Trustees to join its Board as it embarks on an exciting programme of work to unlock the heritage potential of the Norfolk Town of Thetford. The Trust has been set up to preserve and maintain Thetford’s many historic buildings and to develop a community heritage and arts centre to support and promote the town’s rich heritage and encourage local participation in the performing and creative arts The Trust is looking to recruit five independent trustees with experience in charity governance, architectural heritage, finance, creative and performance arts and fundraising. They will join the five members of Thetford Town Council already appointed to the new board. Time commitment: initially, in the setting up period, board meetings will be held bi-monthly, the time commitment will be up to 6 hours per month. As the Trust progresses, board meetings will reduce to 4 meetings per year. Trustees are expected to attend these and to devote sufficient time to read through the board papers in advance. Meetings will be held either electronically by Microsoft Teams or in person in the Guildhall in Thetford on a Wednesday or Thursday evening from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Terms of office: our trustees can serve up to 2 three-year terms for a maximum of 6 years. Trustee expenses: all reasonable expenses incurred by trustees to attend meetings will be reimbursed. Overall purpose of the role: our trustees are legally responsible for the governance of Thetford Heritage Trust. This means they must make sure that the Trust achieves its objectives, as set out in our governing document. They ensure we have a strategy, and that our assets and resources are only used for charitable purposes in line with our governing document. Our trustees make sure that we operate in line with any relevant laws, particularly the Charities and Companies Acts. Trustees have a collective responsibility – to work together for the best interests of the Thetford Heritage Trust. Role description: Organisational purpose Making sure Thetford Heritage Trust (the Trust) pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by ensuring that suitable strategies, plans and policies are in place. Ensuring the Trust complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations. Leadership Ensuring that the Trust applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects and ensuring the financial stability of the Trust. Ensuring that there are appropriate policies and procedures in place for the effective and efficient administration of the Trust. Protecting and managing the property entrusted to the Trust and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds. Representing the board’s agreed position when speaking publicly on behalf of the Trust. Acting as an ambassador and champion for the Trust at events and online. Integrity Committing to uphold the Trust’s Trustee Code of Conduct Upholding any policies and procedures relevant to the trustee role including confidentiality, safeguarding, conflict of interest and data protection. Decision-making risk and control Ensuring clear focus on strategy, performance, and assurance, Promoting a culture of sound objective decision making, without undue influence by special or personal interests. Ensuring appropriate risk management and plans for mitigation are in place. Board effectiveness Making reasonable use of own skills and experience to support the work of the Board and the wider organisation. Openness and accountability Ensuring the charity’s performance and interaction with its stakeholders are guided by the values, ethics and culture put in place by the board. Taking seriously the responsibility for building public trust and confidence in the organisation’s work. Person specification Attributes Strong understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship. Demonstrable commitment to the Trust’s charitable objects and to developing the Trust’s strategic vision. Ability to contribute to the work and ongoing development of the Trust, not only through regular attendance of board meetings, but also through sub-committees of the Board, and/or ad hoc ‘task and finish’ group activity, as appropriate. Ability to use previous experiences in a relevant manner, whilst at the same time being able to separate from prior allegiances and interests, so that conflicts can be managed openly and transparency guaranteed. Be comfortable discussing and making decisions on matters outside of your direct area of expertise. Appreciation of the nature of risk management at board level. Skills Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to converse beyond your own domain of expertise and to discuss complex and/or intractable problems and contribute to solutions, even if these are not perfectly aligned to your own views; and be able to: provide support and advice to the Trustees and officers in the affairs and strategic development of the Trust. demonstrate a clear commitment to operating by the standards relating to public life and knowledge of the Charity Commission’s requirements of Trustees. To Apply If you are interested in joining our Board of Trustees and playing a pivotal role in the development of the Thetford Heritage Trust, we would love to hear from you.