🌟 Join Us as a Lay Trustee – Intensive Care Society 🌟
The Intensive Care Society (ICS) is the heart of the UK’s intensive care community, bringing together doctors, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, and allied health professionals who dedicate themselves to saving and transforming lives. Our mission is to be the voice of the multi-professional intensive care community, their patients and their loved ones and together to advance and promote the best quality care, safety and research.
The Society is the largest UK multi-professional membership organisation for healthcare professionals working in intensive care. We are a registered charity and company limited by guarantee and currently have over 2,500 members.
The Role
Do you want to help advance and promote the care and safety of critically ill patients and support a small charity that punches well above its weight?
There are vacancies for two independent Lay Trustees and the Society is looking for applications from a diverse range of individuals.
We are looking for one of our new Lay Trustees to specifically support in the area of finance and audit.
We are also seeking a Trustee who brings broad senior management experience, ideally gained at a senior executive level. Knowledge of charity governance and fundraising would be ideal and we would also be interested to hear from individuals with legal expertise and experience in digital strategy.
Term
The appointment is for a three-year term with the possibility of a second three-year term if approved by the Board of Trustees.
Remuneration
These are voluntary positions to support our charitable activities and therefore they are unremunerated although reasonable travel expenses are provided (in accordance with our travel policy).
Governance
We have a Trustee Board of eight members and a nationally elected multi-professional advisory Council of 22 clinicians representing our intensive care membership across the UK.
The Trustee Board comprises:
· President and Chair of Trustee Board
· President-elect or Past President (alternate years)
· Honorary Treasurer
· Honorary Secretary
· Council member Trustee
· Three Lay Trustees
Time commitment
This is a role that you can make your own and you will get out of it as much as you put in. The time commitment of this role varies from week to week but consists of around 4-8 hours a month. For a good understanding of the role and time involved please speak with the CEO or President.
· At least four virtual Trustee Board meetings each year.
· The Annual Members Meeting (AMM) in London and Away Day with staff and elected Council (normally in December each year)
· At least one virtual Council meeting
· The annual 3-day SOA Congress (normally held in early July).
· other meetings which may be required ad hoc either internally or externally
If you are also appointed as the Chair of our Patients, Relatives and Public Advisory Group you will be expected to attend an additional four virtual meetings a year. The Society provides support for meetings across all our Committees.
Duties
· Leadership - Provide direction to the Board of Trustees, enabling it to fulfil its role and responsibility for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation.
· Strategy - Support the Society to deliver on its Strategy 2023-2027, setting overall policies, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
· Compliance - Ensure that the Society complies with its governing document (Articles), charity and company law and any other legislation or regulations.
· Governance - Abide by the Good Governance Code of Practice, using any specific skills, knowledge or experience you have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions.
· Finance - Ensure that the Society applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects. Approve the Annual Budget and Year-end Financial Statements.
· Policy - Assist with the development of Society policy, particularly where it impacts upon governance.
· Organisation - To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
· Meetings - Attend the quarterly meetings for the Board of Trustees and the AMM. Join and attend relevant Sub-Committees or Working Groups as appropriate in the role as Lay Trustee.
· Events - Attend events which are important for the Society’s profile and reputation.
· Risk - Work with the Board of Trustees and CEO to manage risks
· Conflicts of Interest - To declare any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a Trustee.
· Representation - Act as an ambassador, representative or spokesperson for the Society at appropriate events, meetings or functions.
· Values - Safeguard the good name and values of the Society.
· Equity, Diversity and Inclusion - Promote the Society’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
One of the Lay Trustees may also be responsible for Chairing or Co-Charing our Patients, Relatives and Public Advisory Group. A vibrant group of people which normally meets four times a year.
Other duties
In addition to the above, each Trustee should use any specific knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions.
Person Specification
We are looking for one of our new Lay Trustees to specifically support in the area of finance and audit. In practice, this might be a qualified accountant or auditor.
Essential criteria
· Able and willing to devote the necessary time and energy to the Society.
· Demonstrable commitment to advocating the Society’s work to support its members to improve the health care of critically ill patients across the UK
· Strategic vision.
· An ability to work collaboratively and collectively, accepting consensus.
· An ability to offer fair, independent judgment.
· A willingness to listen and assimilate, information, and to speak with openness, integrity and honesty.
· An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
· A team player with a ‘can do’ attitude and strong problem-solving skills.
· Very high level of authority and credibility.
· Alignment with the Society’s core values.
· Expertise in finance and audit OR an experienced senior manager with one or more of the following areas of experience; charity governance, fundraising, legal, digital strategy.
Desirable
· Experience working at a senior level in the NHS.
· Experience as a patient or relative of someone who has received critical care.
· Experience in a similar role as a Trustee for a charity.
Applications
Gain insight into the strategy and operations of a complex membership-based charity, while developing professionally on a small Trustee Board. Enhance your skills in collaboration, negotiation, and shared decision-making. Contribute meaningfully to a charity that supports its members in delivering the best care to patients.
To apply, please submit a CV and 500 word supporting statement explaining how you meet the criteria and why you would be a good fit for this role to trusteeboardsupport@ics.ac.uk.
Closing date: 9am on Monday 13 October
Interviews: 5 November 2025 (in person)
Informal enquiries to trusteeboardsupport@ics.ac.uk