The Snowdon Trust was established by the first Earl of Snowdon in 1981 to support disabled students to achieve qualifications in further and higher education, and vocational training, to further their career ambitions. The main focus of the Trust's work is the provision of financial grants that meet the additional financial burden of disability-related study costs, and to award scholarships which accelerate the most talented students through their studies to take on workplace leadership positions which help drive inclusivity. Since the Trust was founded, it has awarded more than £4 million in grants and scholarships which have enabled thousands of students to achieve education goals, and move into employment in ways that might otherwise not have been possible.

The Trust's financial awards break down a financial barrier for disabled students. However, there are still too many more obstacles and challenges which impact on educational experience and outcomes, and also workplace transitions for disabled students and graduates. And so, to further strengthen the impact of the Trust's investment in its grant holders, it has established the disabled leaders’ network alongside its financial awards, to underpin its support for disabled students and graduates on their career journey. This member-led network provides a forum for development, peer networking, support and collaboration, and a platform for advocacy and activism.

The wealth of recent research exploring the experience of disabled students in higher education – including that carried out by The Snowdon Trust – makes it clear that there is still more to be done to drive inclusivity in education and the workplace for disabled people, and the Trust is developing its services accordingly. The Trust's new strategy for 2021-2025 sets out its ambition to grow the impact of its programmes and ensure that it has the right organisational framework in place to deliver its objectives. It is a pivotal time to be involved with the Trust.

The Snowdon Trust is a charitable organisation, and its governance structure ensures that it meets its requirements to ensure probity, good governance and outstanding performance. The Board is comprised of the Trustees. 

Trustees focus on the three core functions of governance:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding executive leaders to account for the performance of the organisation, and the performance management of staff
3. Overseeing and ensuring effective financial performance

The Snowdon Trust seeks up to three new Trustees with strategic-level leadership experience, gained in any sector and function, to join its Board of Trustees. The successful individuals could come from any professional background, but will likely have lived experience of disability or be a strong ally for disability inclusion.

Candidates must bring senior, strategic-level experience and a passion for education and / or inclusion. The Trust are particularly interested in hearing from disabled people and candidates who come from a financial background.

Lived experience: Applicants will bring lived experience of disability or a strong sense of allyship with disability inclusion. This Trustee will be an informed and important voice for the charity's beneficiaries on the Board, and will bring both professional and personal experience to the role.

Finance: Applicants could bring a strong background in finance, perhaps in accounting, audit, or financial leadership. A financial qualification or previous experience of charity governance would be welcome, but is not essential. 

The Trust believes that people with lived experience of disability should be involved in guiding and shaping its work: this is reflected in the Trust Board, its selection panel and its staff. The Snowdon Trust is a Disability Confident Committed employer and is committed to offering an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the role requirements.

You can read more about the current Trustees here.

There are six Board meetings per year, which take place in Central London (although hybrid attendance is approved).  Additionally, there will be ad hoc communication with the Board, along with additional meetings, which which will amount to no more than c. 5 hrs per month. The role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed domestic expenses will be reimbursed. The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be extended at the discretion of the Board.

Whilst meetings are currently hybrid, the Trust encourages in-person attendance to meetings and events in person where possible. As such, candidates will ideally be willing to travel to London for in-person events.

The Snowdon Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. It is committed to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices and it positively encourages applications from all sectors of the community. As disabled people are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates would be particularly encouraged to reflect the diversity of the community the Trust serves. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.