Asthma + Lung UK (A+LUK) was launched on 28 February 2022 to rebrand and refocus the partnership created by the 2020 merger of the UK’s two leading respiratory charities – Asthma UK, and the British Lung Foundation. Both have a long history, with Asthma UK stretching all the way back to 1927, and the founding of the Asthma Research Council. The British Lung Foundation also advocated, researched, and supported people with lung conditions for over 30 years.

Together, the combined charity is now a more powerful force for lung health: twice the passion, twice the power, and one united voice. Its vision is for a world where everyone has healthy lungs ⁠— a world where lung health is prioritised through better understanding, research, treatment and support. It is dedicated to helping create a world where good lung health and the ability to breathe freely are a basic right enjoyed by all.

Transforming lung health means exploring every opportunity in the quest for new treatments, radically improving diagnosis and care for people with lung conditions. A+LUK has invested more than £20m in research in the past five years alone, and in the last year awarded more than £3.3m for vital lung research. The charity will also transform lung health by cleaning up the air we breathe. Every two minutes in the UK, a baby is born in an area with dangerously polluted air, putting them at risk of developing a lung condition from their very first breath. The charity provides a free helpline open to any caller with a question about lung health, which last year helped some 28,000 callers. Through its volunteer network, A+LUK also runs face-to-face support groups covering the UK from Dover to Dunfermline and everywhere in between.

A+LUK has a bold new strategy and look, which will help it raise awareness of the seriousness of lung conditions and tackle misconceptions, invest in even more ground-breaking research, support more people through its helpline, health advice and support groups, and campaign for change to improve the lives of everyone with a lung condition.

This is a pivotal point in the charity's journey — especially for those who depend on its voice, its expertise and its research. The importance of its role has been brought into even sharper relief as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; research is urgently needed to find ways of limiting the impact of the virus, and the charity has an important part to play.

The role of Trustee is to provide inspiring leadership and effective governance to the charity. The Trustee Board is responsible for setting the strategic aims, objectives and direction of A+LUK, delegating day-to-day management to an executive team led by the Chief Executive, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organisation. Responsibilities include:

• Providing clear and engaging leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring that A+LUK maximises its impact for its beneficiaries
• Bringing their range of skills, expertise and life experiences, contribute to Board meetings while respecting the scrutiny and diversity of other perspectives of the Board
• Safeguarding the reputation of A+LUK, upholding the values of the charity by example
• Ensuring that the Board operates within its charitable objects and provides a clear strategic direction for the charity
• Ensuring that policy, financial and regulatory compliance is maintained in all areas of operation and engaging the Board in risk identification and management

The Finance Trustee will also join the Finance and Audit Committee which works to ensure that the charity retains robust financial controls, remains solvent and that its risks are managed effectively. The current Committee Chair is due to serve until 2024, and it is hoped that new Trustee will then step up to replace them.

The Lived Experience Trustee may have opportunities to join the Finance and Audit Committee or the Nominations and Remuneration Committee depending on their skills and interest

Trustees work to ensure the Board is effective, cohesive, and collaborative as well as acting as ambassadors and visible champions for A+LUK alongside the CEO.

Finance

Asthma + Lung UK is looking for a qualified financial professional to join the Board and also the Finance and Audit Committee, working closely with the Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer to help support its growth and impact.

The successful candidate will have a professional finance qualification (a CCAB-recognised qualification or equivalent) as well as a track record of leadership within organisations that have been through a successful journey of growth and change in the private, public or voluntary sector. They will also have an understanding of good governance and be interested in UK charity governance.

Lived Experience

Asthma + Lung UK is looking for someone with lived experience of impaired lung health, whether in their own life or that of a close family member. They will be an informed and important voice for the charity's beneficiaries on the Board.

The successful candidate will be able to work closely with A+LUK's Director of Services and Director of External Affairs, and bring a considered perspective combined with passionate advocacy for the charity's programmes, giving advice as it innovates to expand. Experience in the areas of legal, HR, ESG or EDI management would be welcome, but is not required. Beyond this, they will have an understanding of good governance and be interested in UK charity governance.

They will bring their wisdom and energy to help A+LUK work through a period of growth and change. They will be collaborative, a strong communicator, committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and share the charity's vision for a world where everyone has healthy lungs.

Tamara Ingram OBE, Incoming Chair
Professor Ian Hall, Vice Chair
Jim Bowes
Emily Bushby
Caroline Cartellieri
Professor Edwin Chilvers
Dr Isabel DiVanna
John Graham
Katherine Morgan
Mike O'Connor
Niren Patel
Professor Ian Sabroe

This role is not compensated but reimbursement is made for all reasonable expenses with regard to Trustees’ duties on behalf of the charity. The appointment is offered on an initial four-year term, renewable to a maximum of eight continuous years.

There are four Board meetings per year, which take place in London. The Finance and Audit Committee also meets quarterly, with a mix of in-person and virtual meetings. Trustees may also be asked to act in an advisory capacity to help the executive team on specific issues.

There are four Board meetings per year, which take place in London.

Asthma + Lung UK will not be able to consider applicants who have an active interest in tobacco or pharmaceutical organisations as it believes that interest would be conflicted.

In addition, applicants should be aware that the organisation funds medical research which may on occasion involve animal research, and ensure that they are comfortable with this. A+LUK publicly supports the AMRC’s statement on the use of animals in research, and the Home Office's commitment to the '3Rs', which serves to refine experimental techniques and procedures, reduce the number of animals involved in research and replace animals in research wherever possible. For research applications involving animals, the charity includes an assessment of the 3Rs in its peer review procedures, and external reviewers are made aware of the 3Rs and have suitable resources to consider them.