The Faith & Belief Forum is the leading youth-focused, interfaith charity in the UK. Its mission is to strengthen relations between people of different faiths and beliefs, harnessing the diversity within interfaith to create a better world. At the heart of its work is tackling the exclusion of people from minority faith communities.

The charity aims to deliver innovative and meaningful interfaith encounters through its programmes in schools, universities and community spaces. Rooted in a progressive approach to interfaith that includes all religious and non-religious groups, and takes into account the complexity of people’s identities, The Faith & Belief Forum is ambitious in its aims to bring together people of different faiths and beliefs, and to create a positive movement for change in ever more turbulent times for its communities.  

The Faith & Belief Forum was founded in 1997 as the Three Faiths Forum (3FF) and it is proud of its 20-year history. Building on the work of its founders, Sir Sigmund Sternberg, Sheikh Dr Zaki Badawi, and Revd Dr Marcus Braybrooke, it has worked tirelessly to build good relations between people of all faiths and beliefs. Over the last five years, it has doubled in size, to an organisation of approximately 20 staff and an income of c. £1m. 

The Faith & Belief Forum works primarily in the UK, with deepest roots into communities in Greater London and the West Midlands. Over the past five years, the charity has continued to educate the next generation not to hate, reaching 2000 schools through its education programme, has expanded its youth leadership programme with 10 universities, and pioneered new approaches to interfaith dialogue at the community level. Overall, the charity reaches over 20,000 direct beneficiaries a year and engaged one million people through its digital channels in 2020/21.

Moving ahead, The Faith & Belief Forum aims to influence national debate and policy on key social issues that block good relations between people of different faiths and beliefs. Its new five-year strategy will actively address the links between interfaith dialogue and social change. Of primary concern to the charity are the issues of hate crime and religious education. It aims to bring its influence to bear on these national issues, as well as others over the coming years.

Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing the organisations aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines.

Responsibilities of the Trustee include the following:

• To ensure that the organisation pursues its stated objects as defined in the constitution document, by supporting the development of, agreeing and overseeing a long-term strategy
• To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• To ensure that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects
• To ensure that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
• To safeguard the name and values of the organisation
• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
• To ensure the financial stability of the organisation
• To protect and manage the property of the charity and ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds
• To follow proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the Director

In addition to the above statutory duties, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise.

The Faith & Belief Forum is also looking to appoint a Chair over the next 12 months, so candidates may also wish to be considered as a potential Chair successor.

The Faith & Belief Forum is looking to appoint new enthusiastic and committed Trustees who will have a background in one of the following areas:

Fundraising: Candidates demonstrating a successful track record of strong professional fundraising experience would be particularly welcome. They will have a strong network with grant-giving charities and foundations or similar, which can be leveraged to raise funds for The Faith & Belief Forum. They will operate at a strategic level and advise on enhancing the charity's profile within local or international government and related authorities / institutions.

Education: Candidates with strategic expertise across primary, secondary or higher education and / or education policy. They will feel comfortable bringing challenge to the boardroom, and will test the Board's thinking on strategic planning as well as asking questions to hold leadership to account.

Human resource management: Candidates will bring a deep understanding of human resources strategies of organisations of a similar size to that of the charity. Further, candidates should also have an understanding of UK employment law as well as a sense of current market trends in terms of people and employment practices.

Business development: Candidates will be able to demonstrate their experience of leading the business development function of an educational or commercial organisation. They will work with other Trustees to identify opportunities for growth, and advise on releasing funds for reinvestment.

Strategic communications: Candidates will have experience at senior leadership level of driving and influencing the communications and public relations strategy of an organisation. This could have been gained within either a not-for-profit or commercial context. 

On a personal level, candidates should have a passion and commitment for the cause of the charity. It is essential that candidates hold a passion for lived experience around faith and belief inclusion and diversity, and be able to work collaboratively, seek support or challenge constructively where necessary.

The charity is open to receiving applications from those who are seeking their first board-level opportunity, as well as those who are based internationally. Those from an ethnic minority representation are encouraged to apply.

Michael Sternberg QC KCFO, Chair

Mohsin Baluch, Treasurer

Michael Anderson

Professor Mike Hardy CMG OBE

Dilwar Hussain

Gurinder S Jhans

Barbara Mills QC

Noam Tamir

Hannah Wallace

The role is unremunerated, but reasonable domestic travel and childcare expenses can be reimbursed. The total time commitment for the role is around ten days per year, which includes three annual Board meetings, one away day, ad hoc engagement, participation in subcommittees and occasional charity events. Board meetings are held virtually with the expectation that candidates can attend the away day in person in London. The length of the appointment is for three years, subject to renewal upon mutual agreement.