Trustee

Job title: Trustee

Location: Remote with several visits to the Bristol, UK office each year

Duration: Three-year term. Extendable by a further three years by mutual agreement.

Salary: This is a non-remunerated role. Reasonable expenses are covered.

Start date: 23 July 2026

Background to Tree Aid and its work

Across the drylands of Africa, the effects of the climate crisis are a daily reality. Here, temperatures
are rising 1.5 times faster than the global average. Around 80% of people depend on the land for
their livelihoods. But as droughts intensify and soil degrades, people are losing the crops and
incomes they rely on. Without urgent action, a further 13.5 million people could be pushed into
poverty by 2050. Restoring the land is not just essential — it’s a lifeline.

Tree Aid’s mission is to work with communities across Africa, harnessing the power of trees to
restore ecosystems and support lasting livelihoods.

At Tree Aid, we believe trees and people are deeply connected. More than just nature’s gift, trees
are a lifeline — vital for survival, resilience and opportunity.

Our mission goes beyond just planting trees, as we work to create lasting change for both people
and the planet. Since 1987, we’ve partnered with communities across Africa, harnessing the power
of trees to improve lives and advocate for those most affected by poverty and the climate crisis.

Through our work, we restore ecosystems, build sustainable livelihoods, and drive positive climate
action. By working hand in hand with local communities, we prioritise their knowledge and needs to
make an impact that lasts for generations.

Tree Aid has a Board of Trustees which is legally responsible for Tree Aid, its staff and its work. It is a
company limited by guarantee and so trustees are also directors of the company.

The current Board members are:

•  Elizabeth Davis (Chair)
•  Hilary Allison (Vice Chair)
•  Alex Simuyandi
•  Tristram Hilborn
•  Katie Bowyer
•  Defrim Dedej
•  Henry McLoughlin
•  Kate Wharton
•  Anwar Mamon
•  Roger Davies

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The Board of Trustees normally meets four times a year, twice in-person and twice online. In
addition, there is a Finance and Audit committee, a People Committee and a Fundraising Standards
Committee. The Committees meet between 2 and 4 times a year.

More details on the charity can be found at www.treeaid.org

Overall aim:

Trustees take ultimate responsibility for the work that Tree Aid does, and the way in which it spends
money given by donors, to achieve its aims. It is a big responsibility, focussing on the strategic
direction of the organisation, agreeing plans and budgets, and holding the Chief Executive to account
for the delivery of the plans.

It has a legal dimension too, with trustees legally responsible for ensuring that the organisation
operates to standards set by Parliament and the Charity Commission.

Specifically, the Board of Trustees is responsible for:

the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity;
its financial health;
the effectiveness of its activities; and,

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•  ensuring the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals are in accordance with its governing

document, and legal and regulatory guidelines.

Commitment:

The trustee role is one that takes commitment. Trustees are expected to attend three Board
meetings and a strategy day each year. There are sub committees, with authority delegated to them
by the Board of Trustees, meeting at other intervals; and from time to time staff may seek to consult
with you on your particular expertise.

You may be asked to represent Tree Aid at outside meetings with potential funders or influencers,
and to attend or work alongside Tree Aid staff at events and receptions.

Main Responsibilities of a Trustee:

With other trustees to hold Tree Aid ‘in trust’ for donors and current and future beneficiaries by:

•  Ensuring that Tree Aid has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction, and is focused on

achieving these;

•  Being responsible for the performance of Tree Aid and for its ‘corporate’ behaviour;
•  Ensuring that Tree Aid complies with all legal and regulatory requirements;
•  Acting as guardians of Tree Aid’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over

their security, deployment and proper application;

•  Ensuring that Tree Aid’s governance is of the highest possible standard;
•  Working in partnership with other trustees, the Chief Executive and other senior staff.

All trustees should be aware of, and understand, their individual and collective responsibilities, and
should not be overly reliant on one or more individual trustees in any particular aspect of the

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governance of the charity. For example, a Trustee is expected to be able to read the financial
accounts to a level that they can ask questions and comprehend answers of a general nature.

All trustees will undergo an induction upon appointment and should seek ongoing training to remain
alert to, and aware of, their duties and responsibilities, and of the environment in which they
operate.

It is essential that trustees avoid any personal or professional conflict of interest.

Key Duties and Activities of a Trustee

•  To agree the vision, mission and strategic plan for Tree Aid
•  To ensure that the operational plan and budget reflect the agreed strategic direction and are

appropriate

•  To agree the measures for objectively monitoring the progress of the charity towards its

strategic goals

•  To monitor the achievements of Tree Aid against the key measures from the operational

plan and budget

•  To hold the Chief Executive accountable for the achievement of the organisations’ goals, and
to provide the Chief Executive with regular, constructive feedback on both management and
overall achievement

•  To appoint the Chief Executive, to set their terms and conditions and to ensure that the

organisation and the appointee invests in ongoing professional development, and considers
succession planning

•  To provide appropriate professional support to the executive team in areas where the

trustee has particular experience or skills

•  To agree and monitor the implementation and review of Tree Aid’s policies and ensure that

they will assist in the achievement of the strategic and operational plans

•  To ensure that Tree Aid’s organisational values are upheld in the delivery of its objectives
•  To ensure that Tree Aid has satisfactory financial control systems and procedures, and to

review the level of risk annually

•  To safeguard Tree Aid’s reputation, and other intangible assets
•  To promote and develop the charity in order for it to grow and maintain its public benefit
•  To reflect annually on the Board’s performance and your own performance as a Trustee.

Main Tasks of a Trustee to enable effective fulfilment of the role

•  To participate in any annual strategic planning or review workshop
•  To attend tri-monthly Trustee meetings, having read relevant papers and be prepared to

make a contribution

•  To respond promptly when at all possible to email and telephone communication from the

Chair or Chief Executive

•  To support the staff when requested, sharing expertise, as a member of a working group or

in other appropriate ways

•  To be prepared to act as a spokesperson for Tree Aid when asked by the Chief Executive, and

to work within an agreed brief

•  To attend events as an ambassador for Tree Aid, to network and promote the work of the

organisation

•  To assist with fundraising by speaking, networking and otherwise seeking donations in

conjunction with staff and volunteers as appropriate

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Statutory Duties of a Trustee

The following is a brief outline of the legal duties charitable trustees must fulfil:

•  Duty of trust;
•  Duty to comply with the charity’s governing document;
•  Duty to act in the best interests of the charity, present and future beneficiaries;
•  Duty to avoid conflicts of interest;
•  Duty to safeguard assets;
•  Duty not to benefit from their position;
•  Duty of care;
•  Duty to act personally;
•  Duty to act collectively; and
•  Duty to keep accounts.

Since Tree Aid is a company limited by guarantee, trustees (directors) also have specific legal duties
under the Companies Act 2006. Information on these is held by the Tree Aid Director of Finance and
Resources but can be found at https://www.gov.uk/running-a-limited-company

Trustee Accountability

As the Board are responsible and liable for the governance and functioning of the charity, they are
accountable in varying degrees to a variety of stakeholders, including: project stakeholders, funders,
the Charity Commission, Companies House and other regulators.

Furthermore, there is a growing demand within the sector and the wider general public for charities
to be open and accountable for their actions and inactions. Trustees need to consider the wider
implications of the decisions they make, and to communicate widely the formal reasons behind such
decisions or actions. Above all else, trustees must adhere to any legal and regulatory requirements
applicable to the charity’s activities.

The Chair of the Board of trustees leads in appraising the performance of the Board and its individual
members.

Person specification:

E = Essential criteria

D = Desirable criteria

Knowledge or experience
To have strong experience, skills and / or knowledge in at least one of the following areas (E):
•  Strategic management of a commercial enterprise preferably in an international

environment
•  Finance and Audit,
•  Marketing,
•  Fundraising,
•  Corporate Social Responsibility,
•  Media and communications.

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•  People and Leadership

Experience as a Trustee or Board member of a charity (D)

We are particularly looking for experience in financial oversight, budget management or treasury.

Other requirements

•  Commitment to Tree Aid’s vision, mission and values (E)
•  Sufficient time available to contribute effectively (E)
•  Ability to engage in committees and / or other support activity (E)
•  Willingness to use skills and contacts for Tree Aid’s benefit (E)
•  Prepared to assist fundraising through personal introduction and influence (E)
•  Ability to communicate effectively with staff and stakeholders(E)
•  A basic level of financial literacy (E)

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