Chair of Trustees

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Earthwatch Europe is an environmental charity with science at its heart. We help people protect the nature around them, building meaningful nature connections and giving communities, organisations and businesses the tools to act. Guided by science and powered by people, we create change through connection.

We’re entering an important new phase. Following a period of significant organisational change, Earthwatch Europe is focused on stability, long‑term sustainability, and delivery of a new 10‑year strategy that increases impact and strengthens our future.

After ten years of dedicated leadership, our current Chair Lucian Hudson will step down. We’re grateful for the steady judgement and commitment he’s brought, and we’re now looking for a new leader to build on that platform.

We’re seeking a Chair who can lead the Board with clarity, warmth and purpose, creating the space for constructive challenge, strong governance, and a relentless focus on priorities, delivery and sustainability.

Who are we?

Earthwatch Europe connects people with nature and gives them the tools they need to protect our planet. From fighting for healthy freshwater, bringing greenspaces to our cities or putting nature back into farming, we support communities and organisations to build knowledge, create connections and motivate action.

Responsibilities

Role purpose: 
To lead the Board of Trustees in providing strategic direction, excellent governance and effective support-and-challenge to the executive team, ensuring Earthwatch Europe delivers maximum impact and builds long-term sustainability.

Key responsibilities: 

• Board leadership:Set the tone for a high-performing, inclusive Board that is focused, constructive and appropriately challenging.
• Governance:Ensure robust governance, effective decision-making and oversight of risk and compliance.
• Strategy:Lead the Board’s contribution to strategy, priorities and impact; maintain focus on the big questions.
• CEO relationship:Build an effective partnership with the CEO; ensure clarity of delegation and accountability.
• Income and sustainability:Help steer the organisation’s approach to income growth and long-term sustainability, using experience and networks where appropriate.
• Representation:Act as an ambassador for Earthwatch Europe, supporting profile, partnerships and credibility.
• Board effectiveness:Support succession planning, Board development and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Personal Specification:

Essential

• Credible senior leadership experience, strong judgement and an inclusive style.
• A strong track record of income generation and growth (fundraising, partnerships, commercial development, philanthropy or similar).
• Experience leading organisations through significant change (stabilisation, reset, renewal or recovery) while protecting mission and people.
• Confidence chairing meetings and enabling high-quality decisions.
• Strong alignment with Earthwatch Europe’s mission and evidence-led approach.

Desirable

• Prior Chair experience (or clear readiness to step up).
• Knowledge of environmental science / citizen science / the wider environmental NGO landscape.
• Strong external profile and networks that can support partnerships and visibility.

Earthwatch is committed to making any adjustments we can for short-listed candidates, to facilitate participation in our interview process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS check and other due diligence checks, given the nature of this position within the charity.

Equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion

Earthwatch is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences. We welcome and encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply, and we will consider all applications fairly and consistently.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment – a place where individuality is embraced and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We value the benefits that different backgrounds, working approaches and ways of thinking can bring.

If you require reasonable adjustments in making an application for the role of Director of Income Generation and Partnership Development, please contact the HR team at uk.hr@earthwatch.org.uk ahead of the application deadline.

Download Candidate Brief here:

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