Chair of the Board of Trustees

In Spring 2025, our Chair bid farewell to Helix Arts following 9 years of dedication and commitment and passion to the organisation. They steered us through exciting and challenging times.

We would love someone who can bring exceptional leadership and governance experience with fresh,
new perspectives.

The incoming Chair will be a specialist from one of the communities and sectors we work with and
support - particularly health, education.

This is an exciting opportunity for an inspirational new Chair of the Board to lead the organisation into the next stage of our development as we move towards our 45th year as a charity.

We are looking for an experienced Chair who has served on a charity board previously.

The Chairperson will provide leadership and direction for the Board, enabling it to fulfil its roles and responsibilities within an overall framework of good practice and the requirements of the Charity Act and Company law.

The Chairperson will work in partnership and liaise with the trustees, Director, sub-committee chairpersons, staff, advisers and other key stakeholders.

They will also have the following responsibilities and duties:
• Leading the Board to develop and scrutinise strategic plans and make decisions.
• Lead the board in the scrutiny of management reports and plans including financial reports and fundraising plans.
• Providing support and leadership for the Director on behalf of the Board through 1:1 review meetings.
• Ensuring that the Charity and the Board take decisions and act in accordance with the governing document and the relevant regulation which are acted upon.
• Represent Helix Arts both publicly including liaising with the media and as a representative at meetings with key stakeholders through the ability to communicate well and make presentations.
• Lead any committees of enquiry unless a conflict of interest exists, or the board agrees on a replacement.

Skills

Personal qualities:
• Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the charity, its strategic objectives and cause.
• Exhibit strong inter-personal and relationship building abilities and be comfortable in an ambassadorial role.
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively.
• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the charity.
• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours.

Experience:
• Successful track record of achievement through their career.
• Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees.
• Experience of external representation, delivering presentations and managing stakeholders.
• Significant experience of chairing meetings and events.
• Experience in leadership roles in public, commercial or third sector, running large teams and substantial budgets.

Knowledge & Skills:
• Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together.
• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues.
• Good understanding of charity governance issues.