The Orwell Foundation is looking for a new Chair of Trustees.
With George Orwell’s vision of a society – where thought is free, truth is valued, and brave writing is celebrated – increasingly under threat, there has never been a better time to join us.
Who are we looking for?
The successful applicant will be a strong public voice for the Foundation and bring wisdom and energy. We want to hear from candidates who share Orwell’s qualities and values, most notably integrity, personal bravery, decency and a commitment to truth. Interest in, and experience of, fundraising / income generation are also key.
We seek to reinforce the authority of the Foundation by using the expertise and reach of our Board. Applicants may also bring expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Literary and historical understanding
- Journalism / Comms / Media
- Crisis management / Diplomacy / Government / International affairs
- Legal
- Financial
About the Orwell Foundation
The Orwell Foundation is the registered charity which promotes Orwell’s works and values, by celebrating courageous new writing across books and journalism. We do this through the Orwell Prizes – among the most prestigious of the UK’s awards for literature and journalism – and a suite of high-profile events.
The Foundation is authorised by the Orwell Estate and backed by a number of committed sponsors. We are based in University College London, home to the UNESCO-registered George Orwell Archive.
How to apply
The closing date for applications via this Guardian Jobs advert is Thursday 2nd July 2025, however, we will be accepting direct applications until 10th July 2025.
To apply, please visit our website via the button below.
We will send you more information about the role and ask you to send in return: a recent CV, a cover letter, and completed equal opportunities monitoring form.
Applicants will have an interview with a small panel of trustees, to be held in the weeks commencing 8th and 15th September 2025.
