Chair of Trustees

Newcastle Carers has a unique opportunity to make a difference to thousands of carers across Newcastle and beyond.  We are an award-winning charity working at the heart of the city to support carers across Newcastle so they are recognised, heard and supported to thrive while navigating complex systems and responsibilities. We do this by providing high-quality services and a strong voice for unpaid carers. Whilst deeply embedded within Newcastle, we also work to influence change regionally and nationally.

We are now seeking a dynamic, motivated and strategic Chair of Trustees to lead our Board and help guide the organisation.

The Chair plays a vital role in providing:

• Strong governance and strategic leadership
• Support and constructive challenge to the executive team.
• Stability, structure and oversight as the organisation grows
• An influential voice for carers across the region

You will work closely with a passionate and ambitious senior leadership team and committed Board of Trustees, helping to  ensure the organisation continues to deliver impact.

The chair role is central to our ambition, and we are seeking a committed individual who can offer the equivalent of one to two days a month to carry out the following responsibilities

Strategy and Governance:

• Ensure that we put carers' needs at the heart of governance and strategic decision-making
• Ensure that appropriate policies underpin the Charity and its business are developed and maintained, and that the organisation adheres to those policies in its governance, management, planning and decision-making. Oversee an annual review of the Board’s performance against agreed targets.
• Oversee the organisation’s finances and budgeting, supported by the Treasurer, the Board, and the Finance and HR sub-committee
• Ensure Board members are supported to be able to carry out their duties.
• Read, interrogate and, where appropriate, comment on or add to policy papers developed by staff or Board members.

Board Development/Meetings

• Convene and chair meetings of the Board and general meetings as agreed and ensure that the business of those meetings is conducted efficiently and effectively.
• Consult with the CEO on the preparation of agendas and supporting papers to be presented to meetings of the Board.
• Accountability for the effectiveness of the Board.
• Oversight and development of the board, monitoring of the board's skills, and identifying training and development opportunities.
• Overall responsibility for Trustee and CEO appraisals.
• Ensure clear accountability and strong decision-making across the board. 

Relationship Management

• Support to the CEO and, in turn, senior staff, building an effective partnership with the executive, and supporting the CEO in his decision-making and strategic direction.
• Building effective relationships with all trustees, offering support and guidance where needed.
• Creating a positive presence with external stakeholders.
• The Chair is ultimately accountable, both legally and practically, for the board and the strategic development of the organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual with the skills and capacity to help develop Newcastle Carers into its next phase.

To engage in this exciting opportunity, we ask that you initially send us a two-page expression of interest outlining why you feel you are the ideal candidate to support Newcastle Carers to excel in the coming years.

If you would like to speak to the current CEO or Chair before putting forward your expression of interest, then you can contact them here

Luke Bramhall, CEO luke@newcastlecarers.org.uk   Mary Youngs, Chair

We will then look to co-opt the successful individual onto the Board, where you can work alongside the departing Chair for a number of months before our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November 2026.

The new Chair will be officially appointed at our first Board meeting in 2027. 

Following the expression of interest, we may invite you to an exploratory day at our office in Byker on Friday 4 or 11 September. This is where you will meet staff, trustees, carers and external partners to understand more about the charity. We are committed to ensuring that the right candidate is in place as Chair of our charity over the coming years.

Skills

We are seeking an inclusive, compassionate, and people-focused leader who will champion Newcastle Carers’ values and behaviours.

• Inclusive leadership
• Engaging governance processes
• Strong and thoughtful strategic direction

Together, we aim to ensure Newcastle Carers continues to punch above its weight in driving positive change for unpaid carers.  The role typically requires approximately one to two days per month between interactions with other board members and SLT, as well as more formal board meetings

If you are motivated by the chance to contribute your skills, perspective and leadership to something that truly matters, then please Chair of Trustees recruitment pack March 2026