Chief Executive Officer
Part Time – 3/3.5 days per week
Hybrid working
£70,000 – £75,000 per annum (pro-rated)
The Bedfordshire Charitable Trust was established by members of the Ibbett family in 1964. Through supporting ‘implementing’ charities and organisations, the Trust’s vision is to:
- improve the wellbeing of disadvantaged or vulnerable individuals and communities; support Christian initiatives, including those that promote and advance the Christian faith; and relieve suffering in crisis and situations of humanitarian need.
Since its inception, around 1,250 grant awards have been made with a total value of c. £4.2m in 2024 prices. Current grant-making averages around £150k per annum. Alongside grant making, the Trust has provided significant support to other charities by providing property at a peppercorn rent or below market rent. Giving to other charities, via this foregone rent, is currently worth a little over £700k annually.
The Trust’s primary geographical area of focus is Bedford Borough, with flexibility to support causes, nationally and internationally, that are connected with the Trust’s heritage and mission.
The role
Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees and working closely with the Trust’s Accounts Officer/secretary:
- Develop an implementation plan for the trust’s strategic objectives.
- Oversee the grant application process, and work with the Accounts Officer to make recommendations for the Trustees to consider.
- Oversee the grant making process.
- Arrange meetings of the Trustees, preparing agendas and supporting papers, ensuring accurate and high-quality minutes are prepared and circulated for approval.
- Liaise with the Chair of Trustees on strategic matters and high profile ‘daily business’ matters.
- Oversight of finance processes carried out in-house by the Accounts Officer and through external advisors/accountants.
- Work with the Accounts Officer and Trustees to set annual budgets.
- Oversee the management of land and properties owned by the Trust, including properties used for charitable purposes and investment property and land, via external surveyors.
- Liaise with the Chair of the Development Sub-Committee.
- Sit as a full member of the Trust’s Development Sub-Committee.
- Take on a senior management role at a new wholly owned subsidiary that will hold development land.
- Lead on the development, review and finalisation of a Trustee Annual Report to accompany the accounts;
- Work with the Finance Director, Accounts Officer and the Trust’s accountants to ensure production, auditing and sign-off of the annual accounts;
- Management of independent living apartments.
- Supported by the Trustees, maintain, develop and deliver governance structures, policies and procedures, and ensure legal and regulatory compliance and alignment with best practice.
The person
The ideal candidate will:
- possess a blend of leadership skills and experience, uphold and demonstrate the Trust’s values, and commit to working towards delivering the vision and mission of the Trust
- have strong financial and budgeting experience
- display excellent interpersonal skills to maintain effective communication with stakeholders
- have the ability to create strategic partnerships outside the charity and to act as an ambassador