Job Description
Trustee and Chair of the Financial, Risk and Audit Committee
Pact (Prison Advice and Care Trust) | London (hybrid) | Voluntary, c.45 hours per annum
Pact is seeking a values-driven finance leader to join our Board of Trustees and chair our Financial, Risk and Audit Committee (FRAC), succeeding our highly respected outgoing Chair who retires this Autumn.
About Pact
Pact is a successful, growing and highly regarded Catholic charity whose mission is to support prisoners, people with convictions and their families to make a fresh start. We operate in some of the most complex and high-risk environments in the voluntary sector, delivering critical front-line services across prisons, probation services, courts and communities, while managing public-sector contracts with the Ministry of Justice and NHS alongside philanthropic grants and donations.
About the role
As FRAC Chair, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the Board to make confident strategic financial decisions, steward resources responsibly and respond effectively to a changing commissioning landscape. Working closely with the CEO, Deputy CEO and Director of Finance & IT, you will lead Committee oversight across:
• External audit
• Financial risk management
• Internal scrutiny and control
• Statutory, tax and Charity Commission compliance
• Treasury and investment strategy
Alongside this, you will share collective responsibility with fellow Trustees for the strategic direction, governance and integrity of the charity.
About you
You are a qualified accountant with senior-level experience in finance, audit, risk or governance (for example, as a CFO, Finance Director, Finance Partner, Audit Partner or senior risk leader). You bring a strong grasp of financial management, internal control and risk, the ability to interpret complex financial information and challenge constructively, and the interpersonal skills to build positive relationships across the Board and Executive.
Experience in the charity or not-for-profit sector, knowledge of Charities SORP (FRS 102), and previous Trustee or non-executive experience would be highly welcome but are not essential.
While this role is open to people of all faiths and none, as a Catholic charity Pact seeks Trustees whose personal values are aligned with our ethos, including our commitment to ethical investment.
Practicalities
• Term: 3 or 4 years by mutual agreement, renewable up to a maximum of 10 years
• Voluntary, with reasonable expenses reimbursed
• Approximately 45 hours per annum, plus reading and keep-in-touch time
• Board meetings are held near Liverpool Street, London, with hybrid attendance permitted
For an informal, confidential chat with the CEO, please email Anna Smith at ea@prisonadvice.org.uk. Please click apply to submit your CV and cover letter.