Bloomsbury Football Foundation (BFF) uses the power of football to change the game for young people in London. Established in 2018, the charity works to support young people of all ages and backgrounds through the provision of football activities, enabling them to live active lifestyles, improving mental health and social cohesion. Bloomsbury Football currently engages with over 5,000 young people per week across London, with aims to rapidly scale its impact and reach over the next five years.  

Given the historic socioeconomic divides in London, there are significant barriers preventing young people from getting on the pitch and experiencing the power of football. By removing the cost barrier to accessing high-quality football training, BFF actively engages with London's most vulnerable young people. Bloomsbury’s sessions are all designed to improve three key areas of a young person’s life: mental and physical health, teaching life skills and building a sense of community.  

The charity is financed through a combination of fundraising and trading income (raised from schools and parents that can afford to pay for its services) ultimately strengthening the long-term viability of the organisation. In 2022-23 the organisational turnover was c.£2.4m and, in light of the organisation’s incredible growth, the charity has recently undergone a strategic review. By the end of 2028, BFF has the target of a £10m turnover to support programmes across 18 London boroughs and supporting 20,000 young people each week. To achieve this, it will launch “Community Hubs”, deploying a place-based approach to maximise impact in local areas.

Whilst the organisation has undergone immense growth since its founding, Bloomsbury will continue to expand its community impact and reach to ensure that it can positively transform the lives of children and young people through sport. The incoming Trustee will be joining at a particularly exciting chapter in the next stage of the charity's journey.

This is a unique opportunity to join the Board of an ambitious, high-impact charity. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance, financial health and strategic direction of the charity. Accordingly, they work collectively to ensure that it operates effectively and efficiently. Trustees guide the development of BFF’s organisational aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines.

The new Trustee will be expected to:

• Contribute actively in formulating and regularly reviewing the strategic aims of the organisation
• Advise on a sustainable commercial strategy to enable the charity to meet and exceed its objectives, working with other Trustees to ensure effective income generation is being achieved
• Work with the fundraising team in supporting their activities and providing advice and expertise in the development of the fundraising strategy
• Ensure fundraising and development is carried out in a legal, honest, and accountable way
• Act as an enthusiastic ambassador and spokesperson for BFF

Candidates will be comfortable acting as an ambassador of the organisation to external stakeholders and be willing to introduce Bloomsbury Football Foundation and its work to them. Individuals will be able to leverage their professional background to help the organisation scale and grow.

Bloomsbury Football Foundation is seeking a Trustee who will build on and develop the charity's mission of using the life-changing power of football to improve the lives of young people. The successful candidate will bring a passion and dynamic commitment to the organisation's work, working collaboratively with the rest of the Board and larger BFF team.

There is no preferred functional background for this role, so long as candidates bring senior, strategic-level commercial leadership in the financial services sector. Individuals who have operated at the most senior levels in complex, global organisations are especially compelling. Candidates will be able to bring an intimate understanding of the financial services landscape to the role. Finally, in addition to the skillset above, candidates with an understanding of or exposure to charity fundraising will be of particular interest to the Board.

The successful candidate will be able to work at a strategic level whilst understanding the detail and complexities of funding delivery, appreciating the difference between a non-executive and executive role. Although prior non-executive experience is welcome, applications are welcome from individuals who have not held such roles before if they have operated at board level as an executive.

Charlie Cowen, Chair
Daniel Austin
Mark Von Herkomer
Samantha Bunis
Sharon Bennett
Theepan Jothilingam
Murad Ahmed

As a voluntary position, the role is unremunerated; however, Trustees may claim reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of carrying out their role. Trustees are appointed for an initial three-year term, renewed by mutual agreement for a maximum of two further terms.

This will be active board role in a growing organisation. Time commitment will include four to six Board meetings, preparation time and ad hoc communication. Trustees would also be encouraged to join either the Nominations Committee or the Finance, Audit and Remuneration Committee.

First-round interviews will be held virtually on the 14th and 15th of December. The appointment process will conclude in early January.

Location

The Board of Trustees meet four to six times a year. Members will be expected to attend meetings arranged by consensus by the group, in London and/or online. In addition there will be the occasional event where Trustees’ presence is appreciated, particularly as donor relationships are developed. Therefore, candidates will be UK-based.