The client is seeking founding (proposed) Directors (Trustees), including a chairperson, to help establish its governance structure and support the achievement of its long-term mission. The client will focus on advocacy, accessibility, and inclusion, advancing sensory accessibility by default across education, employment, public services, and wider society. Its approach emphasizes shifting responsibility for accessibility from the individual toward the design and delivery of accessible and inclusive systems and services, reducing unnecessary reliance on disclosure, discretionary support, mediated services, and reactive accommodation.
The chairperson will provide strategic leadership and governance oversight to the Board, working collaboratively with fellow Trustees and any future executive leadership. Responsibilities include providing strategic leadership and helping communicate The client’s vision, mission, and purpose; ensuring effective functioning and full trustee participation; planning and chairing Board meetings in line with the governing document; working constructively with the CEO (when appointed) while maintaining appropriate oversight; keeping discussions aligned with The client’s charitable purposes and strategic objectives; bringing impartiality, fairness, and objectivity to decision-making; ensuring decisions are recorded, communicated, and followed up; supporting constructive relationships among Trustees, staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders; monitoring current and emerging issues affecting beneficiaries and mission; and supporting oversight of risks, finances, policies, and strategic development.
The chairperson will also represent and advocate for The client at external meetings, events, partnerships, and stakeholder engagements where appropriate, acting as an ambassador for the principles of default sensory accessibility and meaningful participation. The role involves supporting the development of founding Board governance arrangements, policies, and organizational structures, while maintaining a clear distinction between governance responsibilities and day-to-day operational management. The successful candidate should demonstrate strong inclusive leadership, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, impartiality and fairness with confidentiality, the ability to facilitate constructive discussion and manage differing views diplomatically, strong follow-through on decisions, good organizational preparation and time management, tact and sound judgment, an understanding of trustee governance responsibilities, and the ability to work collaboratively with appropriate independence and objectivity.