Trustee including Treasurer

Bookmark Reading Charity – we exist to change children’s life stories through the joy of reading

In a ‘normal’ year, one in four children in an average class will leave primary school unable to read well. These children will struggle in school and beyond. They are at risk of becoming one of 7 million UK adults who struggle with basic reading every day. Reading isn’t just about books. It’s about reading a road sign, a safety manual, a birthday card. It’s understanding a job application and the prescription that could help save your life. Children from disadvantaged homes are most at risk: four in ten children on free school meals are not able to read well by the age of 11. Poor literacy can lead to limited job prospects, poor health, low self-esteem, and even reduced life expectancy.

At Bookmark, we want every child to read.

As a leading reading charity for primary school children, we partner with schools to develop whole school reading cultures and provide one-to-one reading support. Through our flexible volunteer-led programme, we give children the reading skills and confidence they need for a fair chance in life. We have delivered the first year of out three-year strategy, where we are working towards partnering with 1,000 primary schools where 500,000 children will benefit from a Bookmark literacy programme. For the children who need us, you can support us to change their story.

Bookmark are looking for three new Trustees to join our board:

• A Treasurer to support the financial health and statutory responsibilities of the Charity
• A Trustee with experience in the AI, digital or technology
• A Trustee with experience in the education or literacy sector

We welcome applicants with strong skills, experience, or knowledge that can support the effective and efficient administration of the Charity. We welcome any candidate who can contribute greater diversity, in its widest sense, to the Board, including diversity of background, life experience, career path, and thought.

To apply visit: Bookmark Reading Charity | Bookmark Trustee​

Bookmark Reading Charity trustee

Role specification

The duties of a Bookmark Trustee are as follows:

• Working with fellow Trustees to shape, drive and monitor the Charity’s strategy and ensure Bookmark has a clear strategic direction
• Preparing for, and participating fully in, board meetings and one or more sub-committees as required. Each Trustee will be responsible for chairing a sub-committee or advisory board
• Using any specific skills, knowledge or experience you have to help the Board reach quick and sound decisions by scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise
• Supporting the Charity to ensure it is a diverse and inclusive organisation, by acting as a Board level diversity champion who, together with the Senior Leadership Team, will advocate the importance of equality, diversity, and inclusion, and be accountable for improving practice and communicating our diversity strategies to the Charity’s staff, volunteer and school communities, and other stakeholders
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the Charity, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
• Ensuring the Charity complies with charity law requirements and any other laws or regulations that apply to the Charity
• Ensuring that the Charity defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
• Safeguarding the good name and values of the Charity and promoting the Charity externally
• Ensuring that the Charity applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects for the benefit of the public
• Ensuring the financial stability of the Charity
• Protecting and managing the property of the Charity and ensuring the proper investment of the Charity’s funds
• Managing risks with a considered, proportionate and balanced approach

For those specific to the Treasurer:

• Overseeing the Charity’s financial health and ensuring robust systems are in place for budgeting, financial controls, cash flow, and reserves
• Ensuring compliance with statutory financial reporting requirements and supporting the production of the annual report and accounts for presentation to the Board of Trustees for final approval.
• Providing oversight of financial audits and liaise with external auditors or independent examiners
• Advising the board on the financial implications of strategic and operational plans
• Overseeing Bookmark’s approach to risk management

Person specification

Essential:

• Experience in of the key areas outlined above
• Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to social change as well as to Bookmark Reading Charity, its strategic objectives and cause
• A passionate commitment to equality and diversity
• An understanding that Bookmark is a commercially driven, fast paced and dynamic charity
• Good, independent judgement and an ability to think creatively
• A willingness to speak their mind
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship
• Strong emotional intelligence with the ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to employ a coaching, mentoring approach to leadership
• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the Charity
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of normal working hours
• A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

Treasurer specific:

• Knowledge of charity finances, the Charities SORP and the Charity Commission’s requirements
• A professional and recognised accountancy qualification and/or relevant financial management experience
• Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders

Desirable:

We would welcome applicants with strong skills, experience or knowledge in at least one of the areas included above with additional experience in the following areas:

• Lived experience of not being able to read or have worked in the literacy space
• Experience and an understanding of strategy development
• Experience of charity governance and working with organisations associated with children/ education
• Fundraising and/ or business growth/ entrepreneurial experience and skills

Commitment

Trustees are expected to commit around 10 hours per month to the Charity.

Board meetings are usually held 4 times per year, either in person (Central London) or remotely. In addition, Trustees will be required to attend sub-committees/advisory boards, which meet 2 to 4 times per year.

Confirmed dates for the upcoming year:

• Monday 11th May 2026 (14:30-17:00)
• Monday 20th July 2026 (14:30-17:00)

Sub-committee/advisory board dates can be arranged as appropriate with the incoming Trustees and committee members. There is also an opportunity for Trustees to be involved in specific projects depending on skills, capacity, and interest. Outside of Board and committee meetings, staff may seek to consult with Trustees on particular subjects and the Trustees are also expected to represent the Charity at various events and meetings with key stakeholders.

Trustees are appointed for a 3-year term and can be re-elected. The role is unpaid, however reasonable expenses are paid in line with the Charity’s expenses policy.

Equality and diversity

Bookmark is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make the best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. Bookmark, and the charity sector more generally, supports a diverse range of communities, people and causes. However, this diversity is not reflected in our personnel, particularly at the senior leadership and board level. We aim at all times to recruit the person who is most suited to the job and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds – men and women, people of all ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, religions and beliefs. However, as we seek to increase the diversity of our trustee board, we particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), LGBT+, disabled and socially diverse candidates, who are currently under-represented among our trustees. We recognise that talented people from diverse backgrounds sometimes hesitate to apply if they don’t meet every requirement. If you’re passionate about making a difference and believe you have the skills to succeed, we encourage you to apply.

Safeguarding

Bookmark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being and welfare of children and requires everyone associated with the charity, including all trustees, employees, and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will need to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the role, including references from past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

Application process

In order to provide a smooth application process, the following outlines the timeline for the recruitment process for this role.

Application Deadline: Monday 16th February 2026

Shortlisting: w/c 16th February 2026, response to applicants by 20th February 2026

1st Round interviews to be held in person in central London: w/c 23rd February and 2nd March 2026

2nd Round interviews to be held online: Friday 13th March and w/c 16th March 2026

3rd Round interviews to be held in person in central London: 26th March or 31st March 2026