The Trafford Centre Foundation is a new charitable grant-making trust undergoing formation and approval. In the coming few months, the Foundation is aiming to distribute funding received from the Trafford Centre’s owners, employees, brand partners and visitors to support communities within the North-West.
The Foundation is a key pillar of For Our Future, the Trafford Centre ESG programme, and is being established as part of a wider commitment of the owners of The Trafford Centre to positively support the Greater Manchester community and to work with partners, suppliers and key stakeholders to reduce our environmental impact.
The Charity looking for two additional Trustees with one acting as the Chair of the Trustee Board. The role of Chair is a key leadership role and provides the successful candidate with an opportunity to help curate the strategic aspirations of the Foundation and through leadership of the trustees deliver on the Foundation’s mission and goals. The Chair will work closely with trustees, to create a culture of excellence and accountability.
The organisation is purely grant awarding with no direct operations. The second role of an Independent Trustee is to work with the appointed board to deliver on the Foundation’s mission.
Trustees must be over 18 and must not have been disqualified under the Charities Act 2011 from acting as a trustee of a charity.
Applicants must be entirely independent of the Trafford Centre Limited and the onsite management team including suppliers, consultants and professional advisors.
Responsibilities of the Chair:
- Ensure trustees meet all legal obligations and responsibilities in accordance with charity law and governance best practices.
- Promote The Trafford Centre Foundation’s strategic goals and work to develop trustee meeting agendas that support these objectives.
- Promote an inclusive and collaborative atmosphere across the Foundation.
- Uphold high standards across all areas of the Foundation’s operations, ensuring alignment with its values and goals.
- Maintain a well-planned board meetings calendar to oversee grant award operations.?Chair board meetings effectively, ensuring agendas, reports, and minutes are prepared, circulated, and followed up on efficiently.?Ensure timely review and approval of policies and procedures.
- Facilitate trustee involvement in all procedures of the Foundation.
- Collaborate with the delivery team to conduct regular governance reviews, ensuring the board’s size, composition, and skills are fit for purpose.
- Stay informed about the Foundation’s key risks and ensure these are reviewed and addressed regularly.
- Foster active participation from trustees in discussions and decision-making processes.
Responsibilities of all Trustees
- To set and maintain the Foundation’s vision, mission and values.
- To ensure compliance with the articles of association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
- To maintain proper financial control and ensure the Foundation applies its resources exclusively in line with its objectives.
- To monitor the implementation of internal policies and procedures. These include equity and diversity as well as safeguarding.
- To ensure that risk assessments for all aspects of the business are carried out.
- To maintain effective board performance and ensure the productive and efficient administration of the charity including funding and insurance.
- To promote the Foundation and act in the best interests of the charity, never in the interests of yourself or another organisation.
Essential Experience and Skills:
- Leadership & Governance: An ability to provide strategic direction, oversee governance and ensure compliance with the Foundation’s objectives and procedures.
- Decision Making: Strong judgement to assess funding priorities and approve grants responsibly.
- Financial Acumen: Understanding of financial management, budgeting and risk assessment.
- Communication & Influence: Excellent communication skills to engage trustees, stakeholders and founders.
- Ethical & Values Driven Approach: A commitment to transparency, accountability and the Foundation’s mission.
- Risk Awareness: Ability to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks effectively.
Role Location: Quarterly Board meetings are held in person, where possible, at the Trafford Centre in Manchester. Any additional board meetings will generally in person at Trafford Centre with an ability to attend virtually if required from time to time.
Duration of Board Appointments: The term of appointment is three years and you may be re-appointed for a second term subject to the continuing relevance of your skills and contribution.
Remuneration: This is a voluntary position. However, reasonable expenses incurred in the role of Chair and Trustee will be reimbursed.