Co-opted NFWI Trustee - voluntary opportunity

Role title

Co-opted NFWI Trustee (voluntary, non-member position) for the term June 2026 – May 2027

The organisation

The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI), commonly known as ‘The WI’, the UK’s largest voluntary women’s organisation, with a membership of 170,000 and a registered charity, is looking for a volunteer trustee to join the national board. Rooted in fellowship, truth, tolerance and justice, the WI has evolved from its rural beginnings into a vibrant, diverse organisation representing women across both rural and urban communities. We are proudly non-party political and non-sectarian, while actively engaging with issues that matter to women today.

The NFWI is responsible for running the organisation and provides support and advice to members at both regional and local levels. The NFWI also works with the Denman Trust to fulfil its charitable objectives and implement a comprehensive educational programme of courses and activities, both online and in person, to WI members and non-members.

The national board is responsible for the overall financial management, strategic leadership and governance of the organisation, ensuring that its work is effectively supported, aligned with its charitable aims, and delivered in a sustainable and accountable way.

Why join us

This is a rewarding opportunity to influence the direction of the largest women’s organisation in the UK, to develop your governance and leadership experience, to expand your professional network, and to contribute to meaningful change for women across the UK.

We are an ambitious women’s organisation with the desire to grow, responding proactively to the evolving landscape of the voluntary sector and the opportunities and challenges it presents.

The role

The national board is currently made up of 12 elected WI member trustees. The board has the option to co-opt a non-member trustee, bringing with them an independent and external perspective on the organisation and its practices. The ideal candidate will have experience as part of a senior leadership team at executive board level (this could be in a paid or voluntary capacity), a strong network of partnerships, and experience in leading change management within the voluntary sector. They will not be a current member of the WI but must be eligible for membership (as outlined in the NFWI Articles of Association).

All NFWI trustees operate in a voluntary capacity. By becoming a board member, you will also become a trustee and company director, and your details will be recorded and registered with the Registrar of Companies at Companies House and with the Charity Commission.

We recognise that trustees will have a range of work, personal and volunteering commitments. We therefore aim to keep additional demands to a minimum, ensuring that these roles remain accessible and inclusive. We are committed to being as flexible as possible so that you can effectively undertake your trustee responsibilities alongside your other commitments.

The expected commitment for this role is outlined below.

The board meets for a full day at least seven times a year, including an annual policy meeting and an annual training day. Meeting times vary but are typically held between 9.30am and 5pm.

Board meetings are usually held virtually, although the board aims to meet in person once a year at a well-connected location within the UK. All reasonable expenses related to attendance, including accommodation where required, will be covered.

In addition to board meetings there are a number of member events that all trustees are required to attend each year:

• NFWI Annual Meeting (all day member event – rotation of online and in-person meetings)
• Four online formal National Council Meetings (meetings of the charity’s member consultative body)

The NFWI has an experienced staff team who support the work of the board and deliver the operational activities of the organisation. NFWI trustees work in partnership with staff and can draw on support, information and guidance from them to support them in their roles.

Responsibilities of the role

Advisory and Decision-Making

• Actively participate in scheduled board meetings to provide external expertise, advice, and guidance on key business decisions and operational challenges based on personal industry experience.
• Engage in constructive dialogue with trustees and the senior staff team to ensure fair and transparent decision-making.

Governance and Accountability

• Oversight of performance: Monitor the performance and financial health of the NFWI, ensuring it meets agreed targets and contributes positively to the charity's overall objectives, providing professional and constructive challenge as needed.

Strategic Direction

• Strategy development and review: Help shape and approve the strategic direction of the NFWI, ensuring it supports the charity’s mission while also being financially sustainable.
• Risk management: Identify and evaluate potential risks to the charity’s activities and advise on effective risk management strategies.
• Ethical practice: Evaluate and provide professional and constructive challenge as needed to new initiatives and activities, to ensure that the NFWI is operating within its ethical policy and framework.

Financial Oversight

• Financial scrutiny: Review financial reports, contracts and commitments to ensure the NFWI is financially sound and aligned with the charity's needs.

Performance and Impact Measurement

• Impact evaluation: Ensure activities contribute positively to the charity’s impact, whether by generating capital, raising awareness, or supporting its charitable goals.

Financial Sustainability and Growth

• Revenue generation: Ensure the NFWI’s activities are sustainable and support the long-term financial health of the charity. This might involve exploring new revenue streams, innovative business models, or partnerships.

Confidentiality

• Uphold the highest standards of confidentiality in handling sensitive information and operate in the best interests of the NFWI.
• Contribute proactively to board meetings and other trustee activities, sharing views confidently and clearly but also maintaining collective responsibility for any decisions made.

About you

The NFWI is looking for a dynamic senior leader who can bring to the organisation:

Essential

• Experience of charity governance and regulatory responsibilities
• Experience of voluntary and/or membership organisations
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to provide objective and independent perspective – a ‘critical’ friend with an unbiased, external view to strategic decisions
• A commitment to the values and aims of the WI
• A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Willingness to fulfil the legal duties of a trustee – including preparing thoroughly for meetings, reading board papers in advance, and actively participating in meetings

Desirable

• Previous board-level experience (this could be in a paid or voluntary capacity)
• Strong professional networks and partnerships
• An understanding of member-led services/ organisations and the role of consultation in leading change
• Experience leading organisational change, ideally in the voluntary sector

Eligibility

As per the NFWI Articles of Association this role is open to individuals eligible for WI membership – women registered female at birth (biological women) who have reached the age of majority – and who can meet the Charity Commission’s trustee eligibility requirements. We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including younger women, women with disabilities, and women from minority ethnic backgrounds. In order to maintain transparency, we have decided that current WI members are not eligible to apply for this position. This decision is aimed at ensuring the recruitment of independent trustees to the NFWI board. WI members have the opportunity to stand for all other trustee roles via the NFWI board election process.

How to apply

This position is unpaid, however with expenses covered. If you think you have the experience and skills to help the NFWI, please email boardsecretary@nfwi.org.uk and ensure you provide the following: a one-page supporting statement, explaining how you believe your skills and experience match the requirements of the role; a comprehensive CV; and details of two referees.

Application deadline and process

The deadline for applications is 25 May 2026.

After the deadline for applications, suitable candidates will be invited to an interview with NFWI Chair, Jeryl Stone and NFWI CEO, Melissa Green. Interviews will take place between 27 May and 9 June 2026. As part of your application, please indicate your preference for interview dates and we will do our best to accommodate this.

Shortlisted applications will then be anonymised and presented to the NFWI board on 18 June 2026 for consideration and voting. An anonymous vote will be conducted, and applicants will be notified shortly after, the status of their application.

It is important to note that the board is not obliged to co-opt any of the applicants; this is at the discretion of the collective board.

Any candidate co-opted will become a trustee with full voting rights with immediate effect. The first board meeting for co-opted trustees will be held on 30 September 2026. They will also be required to attend National Council on 8 September 2026. However, if you are unavailable for these dates this is not a barrier, and we would still encourage your application.