Compaid is a charitable organisation with a social mission to help disabled, elderly and other vulnerable people to overcome the barriers of social, digital and economic exclusion, and to live their lives to the fullest. Compaid is a flexible and adaptable organisation, offering tailored and bespoke services and solutions to clients, which has contributed to its resilience during the pandemic. With 50 employees, Compaid has seen steady growth in the last five years, and is looking to continue its development cooperatively through gaining partnerships and further inter-organisational engagement.

Compaid delivers a range of services in both transport and digital skills training to empower elderly and disabled individuals. For many disabled and older people across Kent, a lack of accessible and affordable transport services leads to their exclusion from local amenities and community life. This can, in turn, result in a loss of independence and well-being. Compaid is the leading provider of accessible transport in Kent, taking both elderly and disabled individuals on over 30,000 essential journeys per year. These journeys include hospital and health appointments, visiting community centres and social gatherings, or simply a trip to the local supermarket or to see family and friends. Its digital skills training services ensure that everyone has safe, affordable, and confident access to the internet, closing the digital divide for hundreds of people across Kent.

Recent Government statistics showed that 22% of disabled people did not have regular access to the internet, rising to 59% of disabled people aged 75 and over. Compaid recognises that since the pandemic, this divide has only increased as many companies and public authorities moved their services entirely online. Critical government and health information can only now be found on the internet, and streaming entertainment services have become the only way to access music, film and television. It has never been more critical that everyone has access to high speed broadband, digital devices, and the skills and confidence to use them.

Compaid seeks a new Chair to set the overall direction and policy of the charity, maintain focus on its impact, and challenge the Board's thinking. In addition to an understanding of local community issues, a key focus for the new Chair will be on strategic decision-making for the long-term future of Compaid.

The Chair will provide overall strategic leadership to Compaid and act as an ambassador and representative within the general public, external stakeholders, their own networks, and amongst digital spaces. The Chair will have the opportunity to work closely with the Board and the charity's Chief Executive to assist Compaid with fundraising, initiating and developing strategy, as well as engaging with Compaid supporters, including friends, patrons and donors.

Further responsibilities of the Chair will include:

• Defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed indicators and budgets
• Leading the Board in approving the charity’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions, being informed of and meeting all legal and fiduciary responsibilities
• Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by the charity for evaluating its impact, and regularly assessing its performance and effectiveness using those metrics
• Line management, supervision and appraisal of the Chief Executive
• Periodically consulting with Trustees on their roles and helping them assess their performance

An integral part of Compaid and its services is its person-centred approach and the aspect of bespoke and tailored solutions. As such, Compaid’s Board consists of Trustees who are passionate towards its contribution to society. The Board seeks an equally values-driven Chair to join its Board, to support and champion its ambitions to provide independence for elderly and disabled individuals.

Compaid is keen to appoint a candidate excited to build on their personal commitment to its mission through acting as an evangelist for its incredibly impactful services. This role comes with the opportunity to engage in an ambassadorial role with external partners and stakeholders, as well as potential donors; as such, an understanding of the fundraising environment would be of help. Though not a requirement, Compaid is keen to expand its digital presence on various platforms, and so it is desirable that the appointed Chair will be technologically proficient and advance Compaid’s digital presence amongst social media platforms and expand into the Chair’s own network.

Previous Chair experience would be helpful for this appointment, though not a requirement. The successful candidate will be aware of the time commitment required to support the CEO and the management team, and lead the Board. They will adopt a ‘critical friend’ approach to Board meetings, challenging and supporting Trustees where needed, and will act as a mentor for the CEO.  

Compaid is proud of the diversity of its Board and eager to maintain it. Applications from women and candidates from an ethnic minority background would be particularly encouraged. Please see the Diversity section for more information.

Stephen Elsden, CEO
Fiona Condron, Treasurer
Jean Pierre Le Borgne
Deon Kloppers
Kathy Melling
Laurence Monnier
Simone Price
Andrew Robertson
Paul Sheppard
David Timms

This role is unremunerated. The time commitment for this role is c. five days per month. This includes four Board meetings and two sub-committee meetings per year, plus ad hoc engagement where needed. Board meetings are held in-person, and pre-agreed reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed. Shortlisted candidates can expect to be called to interview before the end of March.

Whilst Compaid welcomes applicants from across the UK, the Trust would particularly like to encourage applications from candidates local to (or with a connection to) Kent.

Compaid welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As women and individuals from an ethnic minority 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 groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.