Speakers for Schools is a dynamic, swift-moving and fast-growing organisation, on a mission to rapidly grow its impact to support one million young people annually by 2023. It aims to level-up the playing field, making sure that all young people can access inspirational opportunities and work experiences to fuel their ambition, keeping its services for its schools and students entirely free of charge. Each year, 1,500 senior leaders, celebrities and industry experts deliver a difference by sharing their story with students in schools and colleges in every corner of the UK. It connects employers such as Disney, the Bank of England, Spotify, PwC and hundreds of others to communities to provide access to the top opportunities all across the UK.

Furthermore, Speakers for Schools delivers other ground-breaking programmes such as ‘Youth Card’, ‘National Teen Book Club’, its’ ‘Progression’ programme, as well as the recently acquired and highly respected ‘vInspired’ youth volunteering programme. It is currently on a great journey of inspiring a generation to reach higher, broaden horizons and get equal access to the top.

With its mission to transform lives by raising the aspirations of millions of young people every year and to support one million young people annually by 2023, Speakers for Schools is on the road to achieving this. With its team having grown tenfold since 2020, the organisation has also overseen significant growth in its network of eminent speakers, expanding its employer network from 70 to 800 leading employers, and increasing the number of work experience places offered during the same period by 3800%.  

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of Speakers for Schools developing its aims, objectives, and goals in accordance with charity, legal and regulatory guidelines.

Trustees are expected to: 

• Ensure that the organisation pursues its stated charitable objects as defined in the Articles of Association, by establishing a clear vision, set of values and strategy, and ensuring that there is a common understanding of these by trustees, staff and associated personnel
• Ensure that operational plans and budgets support the vision and strategy
• Ensure that the views of stakeholders are regularly sought and considered
• Ensure there is regular review of the external environment for changes that might affect the organisation (political, financial, demographic, competitive, partnerships, alliances)
• Ensure that the organisation complies with the Articles of Association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• Ensure that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects
• Ensure that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
• Uphold the good name and values of the organisation
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
• Ensure the financial stability of the organisation
• Hold the chief executive to account for the management and administration of the charity
• Ensure that the organisation acts in accordance with employment law and exercises a duty of care to its employees

In order to support its growth objectives, Speakers for Schools seeks to appoint an additional Trustee to join its Board with strong educational links. The new Trustee will become a part of a high-calibre Board that is on a mission to inspire a generation to reach higher, broaden horizons and get equal access to opportunities.

The successful candidate will be an experienced leader from an education sector related organisation. This could be from an education union, a membership body, a further education college or multi-academy trust. They should have a passion for supporting social mobility and will be aligned with the mission and values of Speakers for Schools as well as being committed to equal opportunities and diversity.

Prior experience of being a Trustee or Non-Executive Director, scaling organisations or charity fundraising would be desirable for this role. 

Andrew Law, Chair

Robert Peston

David Giampaolo

Sakhila Mona Mirza

Roland Rudd

The role is unremunerated but reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses may be reimbursed. The Board meets four to six times a year. The successful candidate will be expected to join the Remunerations Committee. Board meetings are currently held virtually, but in-person attendance is preferred in the near future.