Forces in Mind Trust was founded in November 2011 by a £35m endowment from the Big Lottery Fund (now the National Lottery Community Fund). As a member of Cobseo – the Confederation of Service Charities – and a permanent member of its Executive Committee, the Trust works within the Armed Forces charities sector and much more widely to support the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces Community.

The Trust's Vision is that all ex-Service personnel and their families lead fulfilled civilian lives.

The Trust's Mission is to enable them to make a successful and sustainable transition.

Forces in Mind Trust is unique within its sector and puts measurable impact at its core, funding targeted, conceptually sound, evidence generation and influencing activities that allow policymakers and service providers to help achieve the Trust's vision and mission. 

The engine of the Trust is the Programmes Committee, which awards around £2m each year to a variety of organisations in accordance with the Grants and Commissioning Plan. The Plan comprises seven Programmes of Work under which the Trust operates: Housing, Employment, Health, Finance, Criminal Justice System and Relationships. Its seventh Programme, the Enabler Programme, was created to reflect the work it funds in supporting the Armed Forces charities sector. All of its Programmes cover ex-Service personnel and their families.

A small team of nine full-time employees, led by a Chief Executive, is responsible for the operational delivery of the Trust’s Mission. Human Resources, Financial Control, Legal Advice and Facilities Management (including Information Technology services) are outsourced. Strategic oversight of the Trust’s Programmes and approval of individual projects are the responsibility of the Programmes Committee of Directors, as recommended by the executive team after full independent assessment.

To further increase the impact of its grant funding, the Trust continues to promote proactive commissioning, better exploitation of the evidence it generates to change policy and service provision, and more robust evaluation.

The ‘programmatic’ approach to all work is a clear message that the Forces in Mind Trust intends to build upon its highly successful early years, and deliver the substantial benefit to the Armed Forces Community for which it was originally conceived. Whilst its reputation and ability to influence others have grown, it intends to substantially increase capacity to lead real change.

This is an exciting and dynamic time for the Trust as it works to further realise the impact of the grant funding, and it hopes you will consider bringing your talents to join it on this journey.

The Trust has a single corporate Trustee, known as FIM Trustee Limited, and a Board of Directors (in effect Trustees) which consists 14 members (5 of whom are Cobseo-nominated). There is also a Protector, who is there to represent the Founder (the National Lottery Community Fund). Serving as Trustee and Chair of the Finance & Investment Committee, the successful applicant will play a key role for the Trust as a whole.

The endowment (which is held in portfolios by an Investment Manager) and financial management are overseen by a Finance & Investment Committee (FIC), for which the Trust now seeks a Trustee and Chair-Designate. Forces in Mind Trust will provide support and training from early on in the appointment to equip this individual to step into the role of Chair of the Finance & Investment Committee.

Specific duties of the Finance & Investment Committee Chair are to:

• Oversee the financial leadership of the charity, serving as the principal liaison between the FIC and the full Board
• Ensure that appropriate accounting procedures and financial controls are in place and that these are monitored and reviewed regularly
• Assist the Chair, Trustees and the CEO in ensuring that the Board fulfils its duties and responsibilities for the proper financial governance of the charity
• Advise on the financial implications of the organisation's strategic plans, including financial risk
• Scrutinise the proposed annual budget, management accounts, cash flow and use of reserves, and advise and guide the Board accordingly
• Liaise with the charity’s auditors where appropriate, keeping the Board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities
• Work with the Executive team to set an agenda for each FIC meeting and review / approve minutes of FIC meetings

The Trust is required to spend its entire endowment by 2031, and it is not envisaged that fundraising will be undertaken.

Forces in Mind Trust seeks a Trustee and Chair-Designate for its Finance & Investment Committee. The role requires an experienced candidate with recognised professional competence in investment and finance who will provide financial oversight for the charity, guiding the Trust as it looks to best use its endowment.

Previous experience as a Trustee or Committee Chair is desirable. However, the Trust is open to applications from candidates with an understanding of, or a willingness to train in, the principles of good governance in the charity sector, with a view to stepping up into the Committee Chair role as soon as possible.

The Trust is looking for bold thinkers, innovative influencers, and agents of change who are able to constructively challenge and offer their expertise and guidance in leading the Trust. Strong empathy with the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces Community is essential, as is corresponding commitment to the Trust's mission.

Hans Pung, Chair
Tim Hyams
Ross Campbell
Richard Harries
Deirdre Mills
Anais Reding
Nick Roberts
Andrew Ward
Dominic Murphy
Kate McCullough
Kate Alpin
Chris Elliot
Nicholas Pope

You can find out more about the Board here.

There are four Board meetings per year and the Finance & Investment Committee also meets quarterly. There is also an annual strategy away-day.

Outside of the formal governance responsibilities, there will be optional invitations to events and seminars, equating to some additional time commitment each year.

Meetings usually take place at (or near) the Trust's headquarters in London. Trustees are appointed for an initial term of three years, which may be renewed once. This role is not remunerated, but reasonable travel and subsistence expenses are covered, including childcare costs when required.

Forces in Mind Trust is based in Victoria, London, and operates across the United Kingdom. Applications from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are particularly welcome.

The Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability and aspires to maintain a representative and diverse Board including women, and individuals from ethnic and LGBTQQIA communities. Applications from these communities would be welcomed. The Trust’s offices are fully accessible and the Trust welcomes interest from those who may have additional needs. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.