The Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity (RBH Charity) exists to advance care for individuals with heart and lung diseases. Working closely with Royal Brompton & Harefield hospitals – part of Guy’s & St Thomas', one of the largest foundation trusts in England – it funds life-changing projects to expand medical understanding and find innovative treatment options; to renew and upgrade equipment; and improve the everyday experience of patients and staff alike.

Each year, the charity grants around £5 million to fund projects at partner hospitals, including current initiatives such as:

• Equipping Royal Brompton Hospital with a high specification genetic sequencer to screen and plan treatment for patients and their families
• Creating a new consultant fellowship in imaging related to structural heart disease
• Providing core funding for the rb&h arts programme combining improvements to the hospital environment with therapeutic activities such as Singing for Breathing
• Committing £100,000 to a Patients’ Fund each year, to support around 40 micro-projects from palliative care ‘comfort boxes’ to better seating and new televisions on wards

Annual income (over £10 million in 2023/24) comes from the fundraising efforts of thousands of supporters as well as income generated by investments in property and equity markets (assets totalling circa £150 million). The charity have a small, committed, and talented team (25 FTE in 2023/24), with expertise across fundraising, marketing, property management, grant-making, and financial management.

The Board of Trustees is collectively responsible for ensuring that the charity delivers its purpose for its beneficiaries, is run effectively and efficiently, and is compliant with relevant legislation.

Trustees have overall responsibility for running the charity, including:

• Ensuring that the charity is delivering its objects and maximizing impact for its beneficiaries
• Agreeing and overseeing the delivery of their long-term strategy
• Supervising the financial management of the charity
• Ensuring the charity is compliant with relevant legislation and regulation
• Monitoring performance of the charity, including KPIs and risks
• Approving their annual business plan and budget
• Protecting the reputation of the charity

You can read more about the role of a trustee here.

RBH Charity is looking to appoint two trustees who each bring one of the following professional backgrounds:

• Cardio-respiratory clinical experience at a senior level and a significant track record of research
• Senior-level experience as a financial leader (CFO or equivalent roles) and a formal accountancy qualification

In addition, candidates will have:

• A deep commitment to advancing care for heart and lung patients
• The ability to synthesize a wide variety of data and make decisions based on best available evidence
• A collegiate approach and commitment to collective decision-making
• An entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to see new opportunities
• A determination to champion an inclusive and supportive culture
• A clear focus on helping organizations achieve results
• A long-term, strategic perspective

• Jennifer Winter, Chair
• Jo Thomas
• Caroline Bault
• Stuart Corbyn
• Brenda Vandamme
• Helen Putter
• Raj Shah
• Don Wootton
• Priya Ponnaiyah
  

As a voluntary position, the role is unremunerated. Trustees may, however, claim reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of carrying out their role. The appointment is for an initial term of three years, which may be renewed to serve a maximum of eight years.

There are four board meetings each year, lasting around two hours; two are held in person in central London and two are held virtually. In addition, each trustee will be expected to serve on one of three subcommittees (meeting at least twice a year, virtually). Trustees are encouraged to attend charity events throughout the year.

This organisation is based in London but is open to applications from candidates throughout the UK, as long as they are able to travel to London for two board meetings a year as well as some charity events.