Harper Adams University (HAU) is the UK’s largest higher education institution specialising in agri-food and land-based subjects. Set on a 494 hectare farm, HAU is the leading specialist university tackling the future development of our planet's food production, processing, animal sciences, engineering, land management and sustainable business. The University’s mission is to provide world-leading higher education and research for the delivery of sustainable food chains and the protection of rural resources for future generations.

Established in 2004, the Harper Adams University (HAU) Development Trust is a registered charity that primarily aims to create a fund to assist with scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying at the University and awards c. £500,000 each year. It also raises funds to support capital projects, improving the University’s infrastructure and buildings. Overall, the Trust has contributed just over £5m to capital projects since 2005/6. While the scholarships offered by the Trust are open to all eligible students and are strictly awarded on merit, the Trust aims to particularly encourage students from under-represented groups to compete for its scholarships. The latest analysis of awards made confirms that almost 70% of scholars have one or more characteristics that indicate they fall within the Office for Students’ definition of access and participation in higher education.

With the Trust winning the Times Higher Education Award for “Outstanding Fundraising Initiative” in 2014, employability rates after graduation in the top ten every year and the University winning "Modern University of the Year’’ for several years in a row, there are significant opportunities for the Trust to build upon. The Trust is well networked and has a number of relationships with various key stakeholders and is looking to leverage these as well as forging new relationships and partnerships to ensure it meets its mission and strategic objectives.

Responsibilities of Trustees:

• Attending Trust meetings, taking an active part in discussions, sharing ideas for future fundraising initiatives and contributing to decision making
• Acting as an ambassador for the Trust and the University
• Introducing the work of the Trust to personal contacts and networks/organisations that may be interested in supporting or finding out more about the work of the Trust
• Pro-actively seeking and facilitating opportunities for the Trust to secure further funding for its work
• Referring any ideas or contacts for new funding opportunities to the Head of Development
• Supporting the Head of Development and/or the Chair of the Trust to engage with and host potential and existing donors e.g. at events including University events such as the Scholarship Presentation and/or Graduation
• Assisting with scholarship interviews as a panel member if requested to do so
• Undertaking all aspects of the role of Trustee in accordance with the Nolan Principles and the requirements for Trustees set by the Charity Commission

The Trust seeks two new Trustees who will be well networked and have the ability to leverage their contacts as well as the Trust’s existing connections to drive forward its mission.

Above all, candidates will open new opportunities for the Trust through their networks and relationship-building skills. In particular, the Trust is interested to hear from candidates who bring skills or expertise in any one of the following areas:

• Philanthropic giving (personal or by others)
• Fundraising for educational or related purposes
• Capital fundraising for agri-food/animal science or similar charitable purposes
• Charity governance
• Networking with high-net-worth and/or influential individuals
• Stakeholder management/ambassadorial experience representing relevant charitable organisations to current and potential donors

Trustees will also bring a passion for food, agriculture, the environment or education and providing opportunities for young people.

The Development Trust usually meets three times a year and hosts an annual scholarship presentation event to which all sponsors and scholarship recipients are invited. Trustee meetings usually take place in October, March and June/July each year and a report is made to the Board of Governors of the University for its information. Trustees may also be invited to other University events during the year and are welcome to attend if they wish. 

Although this is a voluntary, unpaid position, Harper Adams University Development Trust wishes to support inclusive working practices, so during the application process will commit to: 

• Paying for childcare whilst you are at interviews where these take place in person
• Paying for your travel costs to the University and back for interviews held in person
• Making any reasonable adjustments – for example ensuring we have a sign language interpreter organised in advance if you would like them or arranging documents in alternative formats
• Providing this document in a Word document format readily available to download
• Offering a guaranteed first stage interview for disabled candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role