Trustee

The Position

We are seeking two new Trustees to add to the current Board of five voluntary members.

Board members (trustees) of THL UK are responsible for providing strategic leadership, ensuring strong governance, and safeguarding the organisation’s mission, values, and financial sustainability. This is a voluntary position, and trustees are expected to act in the best interests of the charity and in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Whether you are an experienced charity trustee or looking for your first board position; if you believe you can share our commitment for ending the abuse of animals raised for food and have the qualities, knowledge and experience we are looking for, then we’d love to hear from you.

For full details on the role of trustees please view our information pack by clicking here before applying.

We will be holding a webinar on Thursday 6th November at 7pm GMT for you to find out more about the role and ask any questions you may have. The webinar will be hosted by Sean Gifford, Managing Director and our Board Chair Ben Wickham. If you’re interested, please register here .

As it’s a webinar you’ll only be able to see the presenter and not others watching. The webinar will be recorded and available here, with captions, within 48 hours of the event.

Open for applications until Sunday 23rd November 2025.

Person specification and requirements for this role

While specific experience in animal protection is not essential, all Board members must:

Demonstrate a commitment to the aims and values of THL UK.
Understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
Bring a strategic mindset and the ability to make well-reasoned, independent decisions.
Be able to communicate in ways that build understanding and trust, and contribute positively to collaborative team working.
Be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to the role.
Be committed to moving forward with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion best practices.

Specialist Expertise Sought

In addition to the general requirements above, we are particularly seeking candidates who can bring expertise in one or more of the following areas:

1. Charity Governance

In-depth knowledge of charity governance best practice, preferably gained through prior trustee, board, or senior charity leadership experience.
Understanding of regulatory compliance and governance frameworks for UK charities.
Legal skills relating to charity law, contracts, risk management, or related fields (desirable).

2. Charity and Fundraising Finance

Experience in charity finance, fundraising finance, or non-profit financial management.
Ability to read and interpret management accounts, budgets, and forecasts.
Understanding of financial controls, audit processes, and risk management within a charitable context.

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and with a range of perspectives. Having reviewed existing Trustees' diversity we would particularly welcome applications from ethnic minorities, disabled people and marginalised groups.

Where candidates bring similar skills and experience, we may take lived experience or background into account to help us build a more representative and inclusive board.

Key Responsibilities

Contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals, and evaluating performance.
Ensure that THL UK complies with its governing document, charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
Oversee the financial health of the charity, approving annual budgets and monitoring financial performance.
Champion the fundraising work of THL UK in various ways–for example by introducing new donors from your network, actively promoting THL UK’s fundraising initiatives (like our end of year appeal), or by donating directly if you have the means to do so.
Protect and promote the charity’s values, reputation, and effectiveness.
Support and challenge the executive team to achieve the organisation’s objectives.
Act as an ambassador for THL UK, promoting its work to stakeholders and the public.
Participate in Board meetings (typically four per year) and occasional sub-committee meetings, as well as contributing advice and guidance outside formal meetings when required.

Key competencies

Strategic thinker:Looks at consequences, implications, interdependencies, and indirect effects, all in both the short and longer term. Looks beyond the immediate goal or issue and with the greater context, not just the content of the moment. Is able to think and act creatively in difficult situations.
Problem solver:Identifies issues, effectively structures problems, analyses information to produce insights and generates wise, actionable recommendations. A forward-looking thinker who anticipates the needs of the organisation.
Effective:Strategically able to focus our energy, resources and talent toward impactful actions that will reduce, and ultimately end, the abuse of animals for food.
Communication and strong interpersonal skills:Ability to communicate in ways that build understanding and trust and can adapt to different tones and styles and be able to engage with people from all walks of life.

Locations
Remote, UK Based
Employment type
Volunteer
Salary
The trustee role is unpaid pro bono, but reasonable expenses can be claimed
Closing Date
23 November, 2025

About The Humane League UK

The Humane League UK (THL UK) is dedicated to ending the abuse of animals raised for food by influencing the policies of leading food companies, advocating for stronger animal protection laws, and encouraging individuals to take action. We are part of a global network of organisations working to create a future where all animals are treated with respect and compassion.

Thanks to our effectiveness, The Humane League has been named Top Charity by the independent evaluator Animal Charity Evaluators for every rating period since 2012.

To find out more about what it's like to work for us, click here to explore.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

THL UK is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to furthering equity and inclusion, and we value diversity. We seek people from a wide range of backgrounds who will bring a fresh perspective to the team, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes us stronger.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer, demonstrating our commitment to recruiting, retaining, and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, based on their skills and talent.

You can read more about how The Humane League UK is working on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion here.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us via hiring@thehumaneleague.org.uk and we will be happy to discuss, via email or telephone, reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the process.

The Interview Process

The closing date for applications is Sunday 23rd November 2025.

We will be carrying out telephone screening calls from Monday 24th November to Thursday 11th December 2025.

We will inform all candidates if they will be invited to interview by Thursday 18th December 2025.

Interviews will be held remotely from Monday 12th to Thursday 22nd January 2025.

The successful candidates will be invited to attend a board meeting in February 2026 before being voted in.

The commitment

We are looking for trustees that are able to commit the time needed to support the growth and aims of our charity. You should be able to spend about four hours per month on regular trustee business. In addition to this, we also ask trustees to commit to:

Four quarterly Board meetings per year, plus preparation time. Quarterly board meetings tend to happen in the evenings between 6:30 - 9 pm.
Two other ad hoc board meetings throughout the year, which may happen in the evenings or during regular working hours.
Participation in sub-committees or working groups where relevant.
Attendance at our in person all team summer workshop, held at the end of July.
Occasional attendance at in-person fundraising or public engagement events.

What the role provides

Trusteeship is a wonderful way of gaining new skills and experience, and a powerful sense of giving something back. Some of the specific benefits of being a trustee include:

Support and training to develop new skills
Opportunity to make strategic decisions
The chance to contribute to creating a kinder, more compassionate world

How to apply

We want to give you the opportunity to find out more about the role of trustee, and whether you feel it is right for you, without going through a lengthy or complicated application process.

If you are interested in applying, or would like to find out more, please sign up to attend our webinar on Thursday 6th November at 7pm GMT. Alternatively you can email us at hiring@thehumaneleague.org.uk.
Once you have all the information you need and you have decided you would like to apply, send a copy of your CV and answer our application questions using the form below.

THE HUMANE LEAGUE UK

1 role available

Trustee