Independent Director and Treasurer – Friends of the Earth Limited

Volunteer status: No salary, but reasonable travel and childcare expenses for all meetings are covered. Please share with us if you need any reasonable adjustments to enable participation.

Duration: Initial 3-year term with the expectation of a second 3-year term (subject to mutual agreement).

Time commitment: Approximately 2 days per month, including preparing for and attending meetings, which take place within working hours.

Location of meetings: Flexible – usually meetings are held in London and occasional away days may be held elsewhere, usually with the option to join remotely.

Closing date: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Key dates are outlined in the ’How to Apply’ section.

Main responsibilities

Independent Director of the Board 

• Support and guide the mission and values of Friends of the Earth
• Ensure the company operates within its objects and provide clear strategic direction 
• Assess risks and oversee mitigating actions
• Safeguarding (technical guidance available)
• Support and constructively challenge our Senior Leadership Team
• Work collaboratively with Friends of the Earth Charitable Trust
• Good communication and collegiate working skills

Treasurer 

• Ensure that the financial resources of Friends of the Earth meet its present and future needs and an appropriate reserves policy is in place
• Act as the Chair of the Finance Committee
• Ensure that appropriate financial policies, procedures and controls are in place
• Advise on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic plans
• Ensure clear financial information is presented to the Board
• Support compliance with accounting, audit and reporting requirements
• Support and constructively challenge the Director of Finance and Operations

Key skills and attributes

All candidates should demonstrate a commitment to the mission and values of Friends of the Earth and their ability to fulfil the responsibilities outlined above. 

In addition, the candidate should hold the following experience, skills, and qualities:

• Relevant recognised financial qualification 
• Significant senior financial leadership experience
• Knowledge of SORP and charity finance is desirable, as although this role sits on the non-charitable board, an understanding of the broader landscape we are operating in will be beneficial
• Strong experience in strategic planning, budgeting and financial governance
• The ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences
• High levels of integrity, judgement and emotional intelligence

Time commitment

Board of Directors and Finance Committee meetings are held quarterly with a mix of in-person and hybrid meetings. In addition, the Boards of Friends of the Earth Limited and Friends of the Earth Charitable Trust hold an in-person joint Board meeting once a year.

All meeting dates and times are provided in advance.

Brief Officers’ meetings are held monthly via video call.

In addition to attending meetings, you will need to make time to:

• Read papers prior to each Board and Committee meeting and prepare comments and feedback
• Liaise with the Chair of the Board, members of the Senior Leadership Team and other Independent Directors
• Lead discussions on specific issues from time to time
• Attend Friends of the Earth events as relevant.

We estimate that the total time commitment is approximately 2 days per month, although this is not evenly distributed across the year. We acknowledge this is a significant time commitment and we are committed to providing flexibility and support to candidates to meet the demands of the role. Please share with us what support you might need during the recruitment process.

Directors are encouraged to join or participate in the activities of their Friends of the Earth Local Action Group to maintain connections with our grassroots movement. Directors are also ambassadors for Friends of the Earth and are invited to our events. Being a member of the Friends of the Earth Limited Board is a highly rewarding experience and you’ll play a vitally important and challenging role across the governance of the organisation.

Our structure

Friends of the Earth comprises 2 separate legal entities operating under a regulated dual structure arrangement. Friends of the Earth Charitable Trust (FOECT), a registered charity, raises charitable funds and provides grants to organisations for charitable activities that further its objectives, including Friends of the Earth Limited (FOEL). Friends of the Earth Limited, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, undertakes all campaigning and activism and is responsible for people, finance and operations. Friends of the Earth Charitable Trust is governed by independent Trustees. FOEL is governed by a Board of Independent Directors with the CEO reporting to both Boards.

This role will sit on the FOEL Board of Independent Directors.

You can find more information about Friends of the Earth’s governance structure at https://friendsoftheearth.uk/how-were-run 

As part of a broader strategic review, we are in the process of reviewing our structures of governance and governing documents to optimise our operations and to safeguard our activities and supporters.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland

The principal office of Friends of the Earth is at The Printworks in Stockwell, London, and our other offices are in Belfast, Cardiff, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Brighton. Candidates are encouraged to apply from a diverse geographical area.

How to apply

To apply for the role please submit your CV together with a supporting statement outlining your experience and how you meet the criteria (maximum 2 pages of A4) to governanceteam@foe.co.uk .

Recruitment timetable

Diversity and equal opportunities

Friends of the Earth is committed to reflecting the diversity of the communities we work with and alongside, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We are keen to encourage applications from all marginalised people currently underrepresented in the environmental movement and on our Trust Board. We are committed to the Disability Confident standard and will guarantee an interview to any candidates who declare a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the role.

If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact governanceteam@foe.co.uk

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.