The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) is a UK charity based in Manchester which strives to make life more affordable for people on low incomes. It aims to build stronger communities and reduce food waste using an innovative and self-sustaining approach to the redistribution of surplus food and non-food items. TBBT's model is based on a streamlined way of working which maximises resource and minimises waste, creating an affordable food service that is simple and cost-effective. As a result, the Charity's work has a transformative effect, helping to make people's lives more affordable while encouraging them to eat better. TBBT has 25,000 registered members across 56 hubs, and serves 3,000 members per week, redistributing roughly 250,000 meals on a weekly basis. Its annual turnover is approximately £1.1m.

TBBT works in collaboration with local partners and national networks to create bespoke packages of support for its local communities. It also offers advice and practical solutions for dealing with debt, managing utilities, accessing mental health support and available grants and funding. Volunteers are at the heart of its operations. It is recognised formally by the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and has almost 400 volunteers working with it each week.

TBBT's long-term vision is to address the premiums which people in poverty pay for everyday essentials simply because of their personal circumstances. To achieve this, it is planning on establishing a national service across the UK within the next three years, targeting large towns and small cities and establishing at least 25 hubs per region. By year three, it expects that it will have 250,000 registered members, serving 10,000 members per week with over £10m of annual savings for its members.

The Bread and Butter Thing has national growth aspirations over the next three years and is looking to appoint a Company Secretary to help facilitate Board meetings and governance.

The Company Secretary will ensure the efficient running of the quarterly Board meetings and monthly calls. By maintaining excellent records and following up on minutes and actions, The Secretary will help remind Trustees and team members of their duties as well as provide legal documentation as required.

Other responsibilities include:

• Supporting the Chair with great organisational skills to help meetings run smoothly
• Receiving agenda items from Trustees and the senior leadership team and agree them with CEO / Chair
• Circulating papers for meetings in a timely manner
• Making arrangements for meetings
• Ensuring that quorum is in attendance at all Trustee meetings
• Minuting all Board meetings and agreeing drafts with CEO / Chair prior to circulating
• Ensuring that minutes and all other documents necessary are approved and filed
• Ensuring that Trustees and team members have carried out agreed action
• Ensuring that all filings to the Charities Commission are completed on time
• Maintaining Trustee and charity books such as Annual filings of returns and accounts to the Charities Commission, the conflicts of interest register, and registering and retiring Trustees

As TBBT develops from a start-up into a more established organisation operating at a national scale, it's looking to appoint an enthusiastic Company Secretary that will support the Board in achieving its vision. 

The successful candidate will be a well-organised, positive self starter who has previous experience in organising teams and events, specifically as a senior-level project manager. They will have strong verbal and written communication skills at all levels.  A good understanding of the legal framework of charities and the filings required is welcome but not needed; candidates from a legal or a finance background are also encouraged to apply. 

The appointed candidate will have a strong alignment with the vision and mission of the Charity in transforming people’s lives and making everyday essentials more affordable for them. 

The role is unremunerated but reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses can be reimbursed. The expected time commitment for this role is around 3-7 hours per month, which includes attending quarterly Board meetings and ad hoc engagement. In-person attendance at at least two Board meetings per year is expected, with the option of attending the rest remotely. Board meetings alternate location between London and Manchester, and usually take place on Wednesdays between 1pm and 3pm. TBBT welcomes applications from all candidates who are UK-based, as long as they are able to attend two meetings in person.