The William Harvey Research Foundation (WHRF) is the charitable arm of the William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI) at Bart’s and The London Medical School. WHRI is a world-leading institute with scientists who undertake world-class research into cardiovascular, inflammatory and endocrine disorders. Its focus is on pharmacology, which advances the discovery of new medicines through early-stage, pioneering research.

To support the Institute, the Foundation kickstarts research into new treatments by funding innovation awards, project grants, new equipment, PhDs, fellowships and academic chairs. Funding of early-stage medical research by the WHRF results in better understanding of disease mechanisms, increased success in clinical trials, and improved treatments for patients.

Founded by Sir John Vane, the pharmacologist and Nobel Laureate who discovered how aspirin works, the Foundation's funding today is concentrated on cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases; the pioneering developments it supports in these areas have the potential to impact millions of lives.

The WHRF further supports its trading subsidiary, William Harvey Research Limited (WHRL), which is a contract research and conference management organisation. This area of expertise is the principal source of income for the WHRF.

WHRF is a not-for-profit charitable company and its governance structure ensures that it meets its requirements to ensure probity, good governance and outstanding performance. The current WHRF Board comprises eight members, including the Chair of the Board.

Trustees focus on the three core functions of governance:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding executive leaders to account
3. Overseeing and ensuring effective educational and financial performance

WHRF is seeking two Trustees, one from an HR background, and another with senior legal experience in the commercial sector.

Trustee (HR)

The successful candidate will bring experience as an HR practitioner, and will have ideally dealt with organisational people strategy. Candidates could come from any sector. WHRF is interested in hearing from HR professionals at different points in their careers, and would particularly like to encourage applications from first-time board members.

Trustee (Commercial) 

The successful candidate will have senior experience in either commercial law, or the handling of contracts within the commercial sector. This candidate will be legally qualified. Previous board experience would be beneficial, but is not a requirement for the role.

Above all, candidates will believe in WHRF's mission to fund life-changing research to reduce deaths, increase life expectancy, and improve the quality of life for people who suffer from diseases that require better therapy.

You can read more about the Board here.

There are two Board meetings per year, which are held in person in London, and tend to last two hours on weekday afternoons, although the timings for these are flexible. Additionally, there is an AGM, and an annual review day. Committee meetings are held once per month. This role is for a five-year term, which is renewable once at the discretion of the Board. This role is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Candidates can be based anywhere in the UK, so long as they are willing to travel for meetings.

WHRF 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. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.