Established in 2016, Empower Learning Academy Trust governs outstanding schools at both primary and secondary level. Presently comprising Hall Mead School, Bower Park Academy, The Brittons Academy and Hacton Primary School, the Trust intends to use the experience and expertise developed in these schools to welcome, support and develop other local schools into its family—two further schools are set to merge with the Trust in October. With over 3,200 pupils and 590 staff, Empower's turnover is just shy of £25m.

Led by its CEO, Simon London, and its COO, Andrew Frater, the Trust has in recent years made considerable strides in formalising and professionalising its central provision to its academies, notably in HR services, finance, and IT. Externally, the Trust is particularly known for taking on underperforming schools and turning their fortunes around.

Empower's purpose is to inspire its family of schools to provide opportunities for its pupils, staff and leaders to be the best they can be; to create a passion for lifelong learning; and to enable its pupils to become confident, kind and impactful world citizens. Its vision is to build a family of local primary and secondary schools with a shared ethos of continual improvement, where powerful teaching, challenge, support and accountability lie at the heart of creating environments that focus relentlessly on the needs of the learning community and deliver outstanding outcomes for all pupils.

The Empower Learning Academy Trust is a company limited by guarantee and a charitable trust. The Board of Trustees has the responsibility for the smooth running of the three academies which currently make up the Trust.

These Trustees are also the Directors of the company. Much of the work of the Trustees is delegated to committees — in particular, there is a separate Committee for each of the academies which works as a Local Governance Committee.

As the Trust consolidates and welcomes the inclusion of two new schools, it seeks a new Trustee with senior commercial and / or social enterprise experience. They will have served in senior leadership roles, and bring commercial nous. The successful candidate will have an in-depth understanding of the challenges facing an organisation of similar size, turnover and staff to that of the Trust. They will be able to assess the nuances of these challenges, consider the variety of opportunities and risks which may be encountered in the coming years, as well as contribute to an objective strategy for the Trust. 

The Trustee will understand community, and be mindful of the effects of social disadvantage, the importance of social justice, and the ongoing cost of living crisis. Additionally, some understanding of, and involvement in, the third sector would be welcome but is not essential. 

Above all, the successful candidate will be aligned with the Trust's values of passion, respect, inclusion, challenge, and openness. The Trust is open to first-time non-executives. 

A list of current Trustees can be found here.

There are six Board meetings per year. Additionally, Trustees usually sit on one Committee, each of which meets three times per year, except for the Risk Committee, which meets four times per year. Board meetings take place at 6pm, and Committee meetings take place either 2pm, 4pm, or 8am. Additionally, there is one Saturday morning conference per year, occasional school visits, and other ad hoc engagement. The appointment is for a renewable four-year term. The role is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed.

Candidates will be UK based.