Fair Ways Foundation has a long history of supporting vulnerable children.

Over 20 years, it has provided a variety of services including fostering, formal and informal education, housing, crisis intervention, family support, and mental health services. All its programming has always operated with the aim of supporting and ultimately enriching the lives of children and young people in vulnerable circumstances. The organisation's driving vision has always been building an institution which makes a difference to society and leaves a legacy greater than the individual.

In 2021, the organisation split into two entities: Fair Ways Community Benefit Society, an implementing charity, and the Fair Ways Foundation. This was driven with the goal of formalising the transition of the Fair Ways Community Benefit Society from a private company to charity status, to enhance its operational abilities.  

Fair Ways Foundation is the grant-making vehicle which acts as a charitable landlord and social housing entity to its subsidiary organisation and, with its surplus funds, provides grants to partner organisations. Ultimately, Fair Ways Foundation is a charity which strives to make a difference by supporting programmes focussed on passionate care, support and education that children and adults in care deserve. The Foundation is seeking to appoint one to two Trustees to contribute to the exciting next stage in its journey.

The successful candidates will play a proactive role in the ongoing development of the aims and ambitions of Fair Ways Foundation. The Board also has overall responsibility for ensuring that the charity meets its legal and regulatory obligations.

The main responsibilities of the Trustees include:

• Helping to define and support the organisation's purpose, vision, goals and activities
• Shaping strategy and overseeing and driving impact
• Bringing insights of risks and opportunities from your specific area to the Board
• Driving organisational delivery and improvement
• Drawing on networks, as appropriate, to support Fair Ways Foundation's work

The new Trustees will be instrumental in ensuring that Fair Ways Foundation fulfils its mission and strategic objectives in a way which is driven by its values, remains financially sustainable and delivers improvements for young people. Trustees will ultimately play an important role in determining the future strategy of the organisation.

Fair Ways Foundation is seeking Trustees who will build on and develop the charity's mission and work. The successful candidates will possess interest and commitment in the organisation, and excitement for the impact they can deliver in this role.

The new Trustees will bring at least one or some combination of the following skillsets:

• Property investment expert: Individuals will possess senior-level investment management expertise in property / real estate. Candidates will bring high financial and investment acumen to the role. The new Trustees will provide current and relevant insight into emerging trends in the sector more broadly.
• Residential housing expertise: Candidates will bring residential housing expertise, with a keen interest in individuals who have operated in the social housing sector. Additionally, candidates who also bring experience of property knowledge within customer-oriented sectors such as hospitals, schools, universities, hotels etc., would also be relevant.
• Finance: Candidates will have a skill set in finance and financial management, previously at a senior level within an organisation or public setting.

The successful candidate will be able to work at a strategic level whilst understanding the detail and complexities of delivery, and appreciating the difference between a non-executive and executive role. Although prior non-executive experience is welcome, applications are welcome from first-time non-executives.

Candidates must be based in the UK.

Anne Segall, Acting Chair
Diana Cree
Adrian Fry
David Pilgrim

This role is unremunerated, but pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. Trustees are expected to attend four quarterly Board meetings per year with some additional ad hoc engagement.

Meetings are held ideally held in-person at the organisation's Portsmouth office but the charity has facilities for virtual attendance; meetings typically last half a day and are followed by a lunch.

The FairWays Foundation welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief 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 candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.