Trustee Vacancy Application Pack The role Marches Energy Agency (MEA) is seeking 2-3 new compassionate individuals to sit on our Trustee Board. We are particularly looking for new trustees with health experience, but would welcome wider experience from the energy, community and youth sectors too. Our work is becoming increasingly important as we navigate a way through the energy crisis and beyond, to support a just transition to net zero carbon over the coming two to three decades. As a registered charity, it is a legal requirement for MEA to have a board of Trustees – volunteers who share the ultimate responsibility for running the charity. As a company limited by guarantee, all our Trustees are also Directors. All operational management is delegated to our CEO. The Trustee Board meets once a quarter to oversee decisions, advise on strategic direction and ensure legal compliance. As a Trustee, you will learn how charities operate and gain experience in areas such as setting strategic goals, accounting, financial planning, employment practice and recruitment, or share these skills if you already have them. As a Trustee you can be involved in work that you might not yet have had the chance to try as a paid employee. Given the correlation between health and warm homes, MEA would especially welcome individuals with knowledge of the health sector. Without the Scheme run by your Charity, we would be in a seriously bad situation right now. We are forever grateful for everything that has been done for us, your team does not know the word give up and are absolutely perfect for a job like this. Householder. About MEA Together for energy efficient homes. MEA turned 25 in 2022 and during that time has been delivering practical help and impartial advice to vulnerable householders across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, West Midlands and Derbyshire. Approximately 15% of households currently fall into fuel poverty, and this is likely to increase substantially during the ongoing Energy/Cost of Living crisis. Many of these householders have underlying health problems which are made worse through living in cold, damp homes, and MEA has been campaigning to have this link more widely recognised to unlock more funding and assistance for householders. MEA delivers a wide range of projects focussed on energy, people, and their homes. We work collaboratively with Local Authorities, the third sector, installers, and community groups. We are currently undergoing rapid expansion: staff numbers have quadrupled in the last 3 years, and turnover has increased from £200k in 2015 to £1.7m in 2021-22. Charitable Objectives Poverty relief and health protection through efficient energy use. Encouragement & awareness raising on environment and sustainable development. Education for public benefit: energy conservation, efficiency, and renewables. We have a fantastic team who all support each other and all share a common goal to make people's lives better in a warm and energy-efficient home. Helen, Senior Energy Advisor About MEA Together for energy efficient homes. Mission MEA is working towards a society where: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Our homes are warmer, healthier and cheaper to run. Everyone lives in a home they can afford to heat adequately. Carbon emissions and energy use from homes are being significantly reduced. Trusted local installers have the confidence and technologies in place to achieve the reductions. Finance aligns to unlock the investment needed. People and communities are engaged and proactive in the transition to Net Zero. Values Compassionate towards those we are seeking to help. Determined to make a difference. Honest and open in all our work. I am so grateful for the help and assistance. You have done more for me than anybody in the past years, and I am full of tears of gratitude and relief. Householder. Our Structure Board of Trustees Chief Executive Finance Manager Operations Manager Business Development Manager Manager South Shropshire Climate Action Coordinators Marches Senior Project Manager Domestic Retrofit Marches Area Lead Derby and Derbyshire Area Lead Advice Service Manager Data and Reporting Manager Project Admin Support Team Leader Marketing & Comms Manager Project Manager x 6 Project Manager x 2 Project Manager x 4 Shropshire Energy Advisors x 9 Derbyshire Energy Advisors X 4 Office Admin & Project Assistants x 5 Finance Assistant Assistant Project Manager Assistant Project Manager Assistant Project Manager Intern What stood out to me was the positive culture of collaboration and professional relationship building, while very clearly upholding the values of the charity in all that MEA does. Ben, Project Manager Role Description Purpose of the Role Marches Energy Agency is a charity and company. The Board of Trustees develop and guide the strategy of MEA ensuring it is achieving its mission and vision. The Board of Trustees oversee the governance of MEA, ensuring it is well managed and complies with all relevant legislation. Responsible to: The stakeholders of MEA, such as funders, employees, government, local authorities, wider community, plus Companies House and the Charities Commission. Responsible for: Directing, overseeing and supporting the CEO and senior staff who are delegated to manage the affairs of the organisation on behalf of the Trustees. Responsibilities To act as a “guardian” of the vision and values of the organisation. Contribute to the strategic direction of the charity. Oversee the development and implementation of strategy and plans to achieve the objectives. Uphold and adhere to the highest standard of charity governance as set out by the Charity Commission. Monitor the performance of the CEO against the organisation’s strategic and business plans. Contribute to the identification and monitoring of risk. Attend board and sub committee meetings. This includes: 1. 2. 3. 4. Preparing and reading relevant information for meetings. Active input to discussions, apply good judgement and contribute to the decision making process. Keeping up to date with relevant issues by reading and attending training/briefing sessions. Courage to make difficult decisions when required. Be an inspirational and charismatic ambassador and an advocate at all levels for MEA, with beneficiaries, stakeholders, decision makers and the world at large. Maximise your networks and identify opportunities that will benefit MEA. Challenge the Board, Executive and Board’s advisers constructively, ask questions, be inquisitive and welcome challenge back. Seek and increase knowledge, understanding and willing to learn and improve. Responsibilities Build constructive, positive relationships with other Trustees and staff with a willingness to listen and understand. Be responsive to a changing world, actively engaging with and learning about developments in the charity sector and beyond. Your legal responsibilities include: Ensure that the charity is well run, solvent and delivers its charitable outcomes. Ensure funds are not placed at undue risk or misused. Ensure the charity complies with regulation and law. Act with integrity and avoid conflicts of interest. Commit to the improvement of governance and the governing skills of the Board. Practicalities and Expectations Key responsibilities: You will need to attend around four meetings of the Board per year, on average lasting for 2 hours. In addition, you will be asked to be a member of a board Committee which generally meet four times a year, between full Board meetings. Trustees generally meet online, with some meetings taking place at our Shrewsbury office. The board has one ‘away day’ annually where board members discuss and agree strategy for the year. This must be attended in person. You will attend some of our staff events in person each year, for example staff Away Days. Whilst this is a volunteer role, reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed. At each AGM, one third of Trustees shall retire by rotation. Trustees to retire by rotation shall be those who have been longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment. Trustees may stand for reappointment. There is no maximum term. Person specification A commitment to the vision and values of MEA. A willingness to develop a deep understanding of the work and contribute to the future of the charity. Commitment to equal opportunities. An understanding of the UK energy system, fuel poverty or climate change. A willingness to take an active part in board and sub committee meetings to ensure the good governance and strategic development of MEA. Possess accounting and financial planning skills and / or prepared to increase knowledge in this area. Commitment and ability to attend meetings in person and online and support the staff team where necessary. Equal Opportunities Statement Marches Energy Agency Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and believes that all persons should have equal opportunity for employment and advancement on the basis of their ability, qualifications and suitability for the work. Equal Opportunities are seen by MEA as crucial to the development of sustainability and we strive to offer fair and equal access to our services in order that all may have the opportunity to benefit from more sustainable communities. MEA values diversity and such it is MEA’s policy that no job applicant or employee receive less favourable treatment in any aspect of employment on grounds of; race, gender, religion, disability, marital status, age, sexual orientation, or caring responsibilities; or be disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. We extend our ethos of equality to those who receive our services, whilst the availability of those services will vary due to funding and contractual requirements, we will seek to offer fair treatment to all of those with whom we engage. People we support * Laura's story Laura is on a low income and has Type 1 Diabetes and limited mobility. She came to us worried about her boiler as it was only working intermittently, and she did not have the resources to get it fixed or replaced. She was having to bleed the radiators every day and the boiler pressure was constantly dropping. Through the Healthy Homes Crisis Fund, we were able to fund an initial service of the boiler, at which point the engineer also showed Laura how to use the boiler and radiator controls as efficiently as possible. The engineer identified repairs totaling around £300 that were needed, and we were able to cover these costs by applying for a one- off grant from a partner charity. * Name changed for anonymity. Home visits He was very thorough and went through my property, finding and discussing the problems and how to solve them. I gained so much information and received more by post, including facts and figures I can act on. So glad I got in touch. Householder. An Energy Advisor in our electric van for home visits. Partner organisations MEA works with more than 150 partner organisations including local authorities, installers, charities, energy companies and electricity and gas distribution networks. I cannot tell you how much your work is appreciated by me and the tenants you support at STAR Housing – thank you. STAR Housing. Funded solar panels - Jacqui's story I would definitely recommend Marches Energy Agency, they were efficient, competent, and a good communicator. I’m very happy. Jacqui applied for fully funded home improvement measures ran by Marches Energy Agency and Erewash Borough Council, after feeling unable to use the appliances she needed to at home due to high energy bills. Jacqui received fully funded solar panels under the scheme. As a result, her electricity usage from her energy supplier quickly halved, as she generates this from her own solar panels. Jacqui is now able to use the appliances she needs to at home without worrying about excessive energy bills and is also delighted by the environmental benefits of this. Funded Insulation - Steve's story Living conditions are better, it feels warmer in the house and is better to come home to after being at work all day. Steve applied to the fully funded home improvements scheme ran by Marches Energy Agency and Telford & Wrekin Council, after he and his wife were so cold during the winter they had to go to bed early just to keep warm under the covers. Steve received fully funded external wall insulation and loft insulation and now their home is a much more comfortable temperature. Their heating bills have reduced and they are able to enjoy evenings together downstairs without being too cold. Apply for the role Please send your CV and covering letter, explaining why you are interested in the role and how you meet the person specification, to philiptowers@mea.org.uk. Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis. www.mea.org.uk | 0800 677 1307 | office@mea.org.uk Marches Energy Agency, The Pump House, Coton Hill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 2DP