Autistica is the UK’s national autism research and campaigning charity. It creates breakthroughs enabling autistic people to live happier, healthier, longer lives. Autistica is making more of a difference to the lives of autistic people by funding, shaping and growing research across the UK, developing new therapies, campaigning for better services, shaping national policy and sharing evidence-based tools, resources and information.

To meet its ambitious goals Autistica is currently focused on maintaining and strengthening its fundraising and its network in order to create real, impactful change through credible research and proven evidence. The trustees, honorary supporters and leaders help make that vision a reality by overseeing the strategic direction of the charity’s life-saving and life-changing work.

Autistica has set ambitious 2030 Goals that represent the change it wants to see in the world. These visionary and ambitious goals are supportive of the organisation's larger mission to see all autistic people live happier, healthier, longer lives. These priorities focus on the following areas: providing proven support for autistic people, doubling the employment rate for autistic people, treatments for autistic anxiety, neurodivergent accessibility in public spaces, yearly health checks for autistic adults, and changing attitudes towards autistic people. 

You can learn more about Autistica's 2030 Strategy here. 

For more information, please view the 2021-2022 Annual Report here. 

Autistica seeks Trustees who will help support the mission of the organisation and hold Autistica 'in trust' for donors and current and future beneficiaries by:

• Promoting the success of Autistica by personally helping it to achieve its charitable objects of raising both awareness of and funds for autism research
• Ensuring that Autistica has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction, and is focused on achieving these
• Taking responsibility for monitoring the performance of Autistica and for its corporate values, behaviour and reputation
• Ensuring that Autistica complies with all legal and regulatory requirements
• Acting as guardians of Autistica’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application
• Ensuring that Autistica’s governance is of the highest possible standard
• Working in partnership with other Trustees, the Chief Executive and other staff as appropriate
• Ensuring that the research funded by Autistica meets required standards of peer review and is deemed likely to promote the best science and evidence

The successful candidates will bring a commitment to the organisation and its strategic vision and objectives alongside a strong willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a Trustee. The right candidates will also have a good understanding of autism, and passion for the research that Autistica focuses on. 

The successful candidates will bring expertise in one of the following areas:

• Finance and audit: candidates will be qualified accountants, bringing strategic and operational finance experience (for example, having worked as a CFO, FD or equivalent). Those with exposure to an organisation of similar size to Autistica would be particularly interesting. This Trustee will be able to use their background in order to oversee financial matters for the charity and provide constructive advice and relevant support to the CEO. This individual will be well-placed to move into the Treasurer role in 2024
• Legal expertise: candidates will be qualified senior lawyers from a private practice or with in-house experience, who also bring leadership experience. Those who are highly commercial, and can bring a strategic lens to the Board will be particularly compelling. The Board is open to those who have not previously been non-executive directors before, but individuals will be able to appreciate the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of charity Trustees

Outside of these specific skills, senior-level candidates with other professional backgrounds beyond those described above, who bring a personal passion for the Autistica mission or experience as a person with autism would also be of keen interest to the Board.

Stephen Boyle, Chair

Matthew Harris, Honorary Treasurer

Matt Davis

Peter Dilnot

Prof Jonathan Green

Katie Hudson

Lynn Hawkins

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The appointment is for a three year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board. In exceptional circumstances, Trustees may remain in post for one extra year after their second term.

Location

Quarterly board meetings are held quarterly in-person in London, and range from half a day to a full day.

Autistica welcomes applications from everyone regardless of neurodiversity, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.