Citizens Advice is a long-established and trusted brand across the country that is known for helping and making a difference to those in need of support. Across England and Wales, the Citizens Advice service comprises Citizens Advice – the national charity with six national offices, and a network of approximately 300 independent, local Citizens Advice services that offer direct support to people in their areas.

The Citizens Advice service is independent and provides free, confidential and impartial advice to everybody regardless of race, gender, sexuality or disability - whatever the problem, people are not turned away. All local Citizens Advice services share the same aims - to ensure that individuals do not suffer through lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities, or due to the services available to them, or through an inability to express their needs effectively. Equally, it looks to exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services, both locally and nationally.

Citizens Advice St Helens has a history that stretches back to 1933, making it the fifth oldest bureau in the Country. In April 1992 the Newton-le- Willows Citizens Advice Bureau was amalgamated into the St Helens Citizens Advice Bureau, now known as Citizens Advice St Helens. The charity values diversity, promoting equality and challenging discrimination. It provides the advice that people need for the problems they face, and influences and improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives in the local area. It is confidential, independent and free advice available across a wide range of topics including debt, benefits, housing, employment, consumerism, travel, education, health and taxes.

Citizens Advice St Helens (CASH) is a registered charity that is affiliated with (but functions autonomously from) National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (Citizens Advice / CA). CASH is managed by a Trustee Board, which is led by the Chair.

The Chair will provide effective and authoritative leadership and direction to the Board and its committees, enabling Trustees to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of CASH. The Chair will work in partnership with the Trustees and CEO, to deliver ambitious strategic goals by acting as a sounding board for them and the senior management team in their delivery of operational plans.

The appointed Chair will have the exciting opportunity to use their entrepreneurial interest to make their own imprint on the Board to foster governance effectiveness.

More generally, the Chair's responsibilities are to:

• In partnership with the Board, set the overall direction of the Charity and ensure that its mission and objectives are achieved
• Support the Trustees and Chief Executive in implementing the strategy of the Charity and in discharging the operational responsibilities delegated by the Trustees
• Actively engage with potential donors, leverage their networks, and represent CASH with both external parties and parties internal to the organisation, such as other regional CAs and CA National
• Ensure that the Charity puts in place and maintains an efficient system of financial accounting and investment which meets the stipulations of charity law and protects the Charity’s funds and assets
• Ensure that the Charity has a fundraising strategy which is carried out in compliance with the laws, regulations and standards which apply to the Charity
• Ensure that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks
• Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability

Citizens Advice St Helens seeks a new Chair who will work in partnership with the Trustees and Chief Executive to increase business development opportunities, influence policy changes, build its networks, forge new relationships through partnerships, and be an ambassador and spokesperson for its charitable work.

This candidate could come from any professional background, so long as they bring senior, strategic-level experience and a strong network. CASH is particularly interested in hearing from candidates with a background in (or strong understanding of) the not-for-profit sector. Previous board experience is not required.

CASH is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among those who serve on the Board. As such, it is keen to encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

You can read more about the Board of Trustees here.

There will be a minimum of four Board meetings per year, which take place in person in the St Helens Millennium Centre on Friday mornings (although there is provision for hybrid meetings) and last between two and three hours. Additionally, the Chair will be expected to join a subcommittee, which meet up to eight times per year. Ad hoc engagement will be expected between the Chair and the Board and the executive team. There are currently two annual strategy days. The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board. This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed.

As Board meetings take place in person, candidates will either be local to the North West of England, or be willing to travel.

Citizens Advice St Helens welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. It is committed to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices and it positively encourages applications from all sectors of the community. As women and those from a global majority background are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates would be particularly encouraged. 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 candidates from underrepresented backgrounds can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.