Founded by William Willats in 1858, The Willats' Trust's enduring mission is to ensure that the message of Jesus reaches the hearts of even the most marginalised and impoverished communities across the country. With unwavering dedication, the Trust has worked tirelessly to empower Christian workers who carry the torch of faith into areas where poverty is most pronounced.

At its core, The Willats' Trust functions as a grant-giving institution, with a primary objective to create meaningful change. By providing financial support to Christian outreach workers engaged in specific projects within high-deprivation regions, the Trust enables these individuals to dedicate their efforts fully to the mission they're called to. These grants, lasting up to three years, do more than just pay salaries; they ignite a spark of hope in the darkest corners of society. The Trust has been the driving force behind countless community evangelists, whose ministries span from aiding the homeless and assisting refugees to embracing various disadvantaged communities.

With around 80 Grade 1 and Grade 2 listed properties, the Trust also owns a diverse portfolio of residential properties, including flats, maisonettes, and houses, maintained within walking distance of the historic Bath City Center. Its property portfolio is an investment from which it derives the funding for its charitable work i.e its grants. Today, as the Trust celebrates 160 years of unwavering commitment, it remains true to its founder's vision. The Willats' Trust continues to serve both the spiritual and practical needs of those in need, upholding its legacy.

The Willats' Trust is looking for a new Finance Trustee to join the Board. Trustees steer the charity, hold the Director and executive teams to account and proactively seek opportunities for the organisation. They act as ambassadors of the charity in partnership with the executive team.

The successful candidate will also have Board responsibility for oversight of the Trusts's finances, ensuring legal compliance and financial risk management.

The main responsibilities of the Trustee Board include:

• Oversight and review of strategic direction, operations and financial performance
• Support and advice to help the charity achieve its purpose and vision and live its values
• Contribution and insight from individual Trustees' professional perspective and experience to enable the Board to engage in an informed way
• Supporting the Executive, when needed, to help drive delivery and improvement
• Contributing to the work of relevant Board committees

Additionally, the Finance Trustee will:

• Ensure annual budgets and quarterly forecasts are prepared and presented to the Board
• Advise the Board on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic and operational plans
• Provide oversight and assistance to ensure accurate financial records are kept
• Ensure annual financial statements are prepared in line with relevant accounting standards, and the requirements of the relevant regulators and statutory bodies

The successful candidate will ideally have an accounting qualification, but the Trust is open to unqualified applicants with significant experience in applying the relevant financial concepts. 

Applicants will:

• Have a strong financial management background and will have managed or overseen sizeable budgets and operations
• Demonstrate the ability to challenge and question budgets and operational processes
• Bring excellent communication skills
• Bring a strong understanding of statutory and internal audit, ideally gained as an auditor or audit client

The Board is open to applications from candidates without previous non-executive experience, as long as they understand the difference between executive and non-executive engagement, as well as have an appreciation of governance and risk.

The Trust is also looking to reassess its investment strategy in the coming months. This will include discussions around analysing whether there needs to be disposal of some of its properties, reinvesting the money, balancing out the portfolio in terms of investments and properties and so on. The ideal candidate for this role would be able to provide guidance around these matters and therefore, a background in investment would be an added benefit.

Lastly, it is important that the new Trustee be comfortable working in a faith-based organisation. The Trustees on the Board are of Christian faith. Applicants will not be ruled out if they do not have any active faith but they should be sensitive to the Trust's approach.

Mariama Ifode-Blease, Interim Chair
Roger Driver, Interim Vice Chair
Tim Friend
Pete Le Roy

Please click here for more information.

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. There is a requirement to join some of the board meetings in-person. The meetings can be virtual if need be and the Board is flexible depending on needs of the Trustees. The appointment is for a three year term, which can be renewed up to three times at the discretion of the Board.

Location

This organisation is based in Bath and meetings will take place as a blend of virtual and in-person meetings.