Founded in 2016, LiFE Multi-Academy Trust is a group of ten schools in Leicestershire with a vision of providing a high-quality, personalised and rounded education for each of its students. The schools are distinct and on their own journey of development, each playing a fundamental role within its surrounding community, but they are aligned by LiFE Multi-Academy Trust values. Pupils of all abilities and socio-economic backgrounds attend LiFE Schools – there is a fully comprehensive and diverse intake across the existing schools, and this diversity in all its forms is celebrated and encouraged.

LiFE Multi-Academy Trust values ensuring that every student achieves positive, life changing outcomes and providing a whole education: academic excellence co-existing with an exceptional commitment to activity beyond the school gate. The Trust believes that no school can be deemed successful unless all those around it are also successful, popular and flourishing. Dynamic, mutually-accountable collaboration and challenge between local schools as members of LiFE Multi-Academy Trust is therefore the cornerstone of its future success.

LiFE Multi-Academy Trust is governed by a well-led Board that has overseen significant growth in the past five years. Following the acquisition of several schools, LiFE MAT currently serves 10 Schools and 8,000 pupils. With an annual turnover of £50m and sufficient financial reserves, the Trust is well positioned in terms of capital funding per pupil and can continue to devote resources to improving both the academic excellence and the life skills and attributes of students. Equally, the Trust seeks to professionalise and prioritise strong governance in line with the increased scale of the organisation.

The new Trustee will join a successful multi-academy trust as it looks to maintain its success as a larger organisation. The incoming Trustee will support and challenge the Board and executive, offering a strategic perspective to the development of the Trust and a professional outlook on governance.

Trustees are responsible for the same three core governance functions performed by the governing body in a maintained school: setting the direction, holding the Chief Executive Officer to account and ensuring financial probity.

Academy trusts are charitable companies; the Trustees are company directors and must comply with company law requirements. The duties are largely the same as those of a governor of a maintained school, such as regularly attending meetings, managing conflicts of interest, seeking advice from the academy’s leadership team and ensuring the academy has appropriate procedures in place for reporting financial information.

If appropriate, this particular Trustee will have the opportunity to Chair the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) and ensure that it complies with its terms of reference including maintaining an overview of controls, compliance, accounting principles and risk management on behalf of the Board.

To complement the current skillsets on the Board, LiFE Multi-Academy Trust is looking for a new Trustee who will bring a strong background in finance, audit or risk to provide scrutiny, ensure financial sustainability and act as a sounding board to the Board of Trustees and Executive team.

Individuals could come from a senior leadership position in finance, risk or auditing. Their experience can come from a range of areas including the public, private or not-for-profit sectors. They will be innovative in their approach and bring a strong commercial mindset. They will not need to be a qualified accountant and though non-executive experience can be beneficial, it is not a requirement for the role.

It is important that the new Trustee is passionate about education and improving the outcomes and life chances of children. They should be committed to and aligned with the values of LiFE Multi-Academy Trust.

Liz Shears-Warren, Chair
Chris Parkinson
David Gordon
Liam McDonagh
Andy Smith, Finance & Infrastructure Committee Chair

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Board meets seven times annually, and the Audit and Risk Committee meets once per term or three times per year. The Board and Audit and Risk Committee both meet virtually.

The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board.

LiFE Multi-Academy Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith 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.