Trustee
Appointment: Trustee
Accountable to: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Location: We are interested in candidates based all over the UK, recognising that the post-holder will be required to travel to Board meetings as required, which have recently been held in London and York.
About The Young Foundation
The Young Foundation supports locally-led action, building knowledge around the issues people tell us they care about. We work collaboratively to improve lives and address shared challenges, driving social change for stronger communities and a fairer future.
Our founder, the social researcher and innovator Michael Young, laid down The Young Foundation’s roots in 1954. We have a long and a proud history of community-led innovation, incubating more than 80 new organisations – including The Open University, The School for Social Entrepreneurs, Year Here, Social Innovation Exchange, and many others.
The UK faces significant social, economic and environmental challenges, which demand urgent collective action. That requires us to work together in new ways, empowering radical acts of co-creation across communities, sectors, silos and boundaries. This is a moment to embody the spirit of our founder, Michael Young. To work collaboratively to show that, with the Power of Participation, we can redesign the social contract between people, communities, state and business and shape a fairer, greener future.
We are a small, lean charity dependent on generating income to deliver our work. We use our capabilities in innovation, research, investment, campaigning, and incubation of ground-breaking initiatives to enable everyone in the UK to experience the power of participation to create lasting, positive change.
You can find our five-year strategy at The Power of Participation: our vision 2024-28 – The Young Foundation.
Main responsibilities of the trustee role
- To commit to support, promote and develop the charity externally in order for it to grow and maintain its relevance to society.
- To act as an ambassador for The Young Foundation and its aims, objectives and strategic priorities, drawing on networks, relationships and associations.
- To contribute actively to the overall strategic direction and development of The Young Foundation through effective strategic planning and discussions relevant to it.
- To share professional and personal experiences that enhance the Board’s ability to consider issues from all angles and reach a considered decision.
- To ensure the highest standards of governance and probity and that the charity complies with the relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.
- To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees’ overall role in setting policy, defining goals and targets and evaluating performance.
- To maintain sound financial management of the charity’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with objectives, and adding to public confidence and trust.
- Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the charity’s resources, acting in the best interest of the charity, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times.
- To maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive / confidential information received in the course of duties.
Person specification
We are particularly interested in candidates who bring experience in any of the following fields:
- Private sector experience, contributing to social and environmental change
- Public sector experience, contributing to regional and sub-regional social and environmental change
- Digital, AI, and social innovationapplied in society or business, education and charitable operations
- Financial management and oversight, particularly in the context of small charities or social enterprises working in a consultancy operating model.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board that reflects the breadth of the society we serve. We welcome candidates from across the UK who bring the experience outlined above, alongside varied professional expertise and lived experience.
In addition, we are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:
- Experience of contributing to a Board in the charitable, public, or commercial sector. While prior Board experience is advantageous, it is not essential.
- A strong track record of building and sustaining effective relationships with partners, stakeholders, and colleagues.
- An understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship and charity governance, including clarity around the respective roles of Board and executive.
- A broad understanding of the civil society sector and the current challenges and opportunities it faces.
- Knowledge of financial oversight and a general understanding of charity finance and risk management.
We recognise that strong potential does not always come with prior trustee experience. We are committed to supporting and mentoring candidates who are new to the sector or new to trustee responsibilities.
Time commitment:
Trustees typically contribute approximately 10 days per year to support The Young Foundation. Successful applicants will be expected to demonstrate a clear commitment to the role, including:
- Attendance at quarterly Board meetings and an annual Board away day.
- Reviewing Board papers and providing timely feedback, including responding to occasional ad hoc requests.
- Potential participation in sub-committees, where appropriate.
This is a voluntary role. Reasonable travel and related expenses will be reimbursed
Trustees will serve a three-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term.
We are fully committed to widening the diversity of the Board and actively welcome applications from all underrepresented groups, irrespective of background and location.
For full details and to apply for the trustee role, please visit our listing on CharityJob.
All applications must be submitted directly via the CharityJob website.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an initial discussion with our Chair, week commencing 13 April 2026.
Interviews will take place week commencing 29 April 2026.
Posted on: 27 February 2026