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Quartet distributes approximately £5 million across 1,000 grants each year to support local communities and charities in the region. ​Trustees on our Board actively contribute to setting the strategic direction of Quartet, helping to advise and run the organisation. As Chair of Trustees, you will work with other members of the Board to form an effective, accountable governing body which provides leadership and support for the dedicated staff team in delivering Quartet’s strategic plan.​

The role of the Chair of Trustees

The chair, along with their deputy is appointed by the Board with the following key responsibilities: ​

To effectively chair board meetings, ensuring that the board considers and observes best practice governance of Quartet. ​
To be actively engaged in setting the strategic direction and policy of Quartet.​​
To contribute to the performance management and review of the strategic plan and related targets.​​
To help set and agree a balanced financial budget and support the Chief Executive Officer and staff in remaining within it.​​
To be an ambassador and advocate for the work of Quartet in the wider community, including representation at evening and daytime events (with and sometimes as a substitute for the CEO). ​
To support the CEO in their work, conducting an annual appraisal of their work and setting realistic goals in agreement with them.​
To participate in grant-making panels as a representative of Quartet, as required and to visit at least one funded project per year.​​
To attend quarterly board meetings, the AGM, meetings of our four sub-committees, and chair of chairs meetings. ​
To ensure that Quartet complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association, charity law, company law, internal policies and procedures, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.​​
To participate as appropriate in the national network of community foundations, contribute to its development and set the work of Quartet in the wider context. This usually involves two days a year at a UKCF south west chairs and CEOs workshop.​
​Joining trustees are supported to understand and engage with all of these elements, and the successful candidate will also be offered the opportunity to shadow the existing chair for 6-9 months, before she leaves the role in 2026.

What else is involved
Trustees are expected to attend four board meetings a year, where possible, and asked to join one of our four sub-committees, all of which report to the main board. The chair is expected to attend these committee meetings, at least in the early part of the role to gain an understanding of the deeper work of their focus.

As ultimate responsibility and authority for a charity lies collectively with its trustee board, you will need to understand some key elements of charity law and governance – so we’ll give you an induction, training and help you to stay up to date.​

Appointments are normally for six years: an initial term for three years with an option of one further term of three years.​

This is a voluntary role. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed by the charity such as travel and parking.