Chair

2.4 million adults in the UK struggle with reading. Our vision is that every adult who wants to learn to read, can. We help adults to transform their lives by learning to read. We do this by developing local groups and training volunteers to provide personalised, one-to-one reading coaching that is free and confidential, both in-person and online.

The Role

Thank you for considering becoming a Trustee and Chair. Read Easy UK is the only national organisation helping adults from all backgrounds to learn to read. We do this by providing them with free, confidential, one-to-one coaching by trained volunteers. This can help readers to grow in confidence and self-esteem, access other learning and qualifications, improve their employment chances, and play a fuller part in family and home life, their local communities and wider society. Look at our website to hear from some of the people we have helped.

We are a national charity with a core support team, regional staff, and an annual budget of c.£500,000. Thousands of adults have learned to read with us, hundreds more are learning right now and we are expanding rapidly.

Chair of Trustees

The Chair of Trustees provides strategic leadership and direction to the Board, ensuring their effective governance of the charity. In this role, you will guide the organisation in its mission to help adults learn to read, ensuring it operates efficiently and sustainably while delivering a profound impact on individuals’ lives. You will lead the Board and work closely with the CEO to advance its vision of every adult who wants to learn to read, can.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Governance:

• Lead the Board of Trustees in providing strategic oversight and effective governance, ensuring compliance with the charity’s constitution, legal, and regulatory obligations

• Ensure the charity stays true to its mission of helping adults learn to read and that all activities align with its vision, values, and strategic objectives

• Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and accountability within the Board

Management:

• Chair Trustee meetings, setting agendas in partnership with the Chief Executive or senior staff to ensure discussions focus on the charity’s priorities

• Encourage open, respectful debate and collective decision-making among Trustees, ensuring clarity of outcomes and actions

• Oversee the recruitment, induction, and development of Trustees, ensuring the Board is diverse, skilled, and effective in fulfilling its responsibilities

• Monitor and assess the performance of the Board, supporting Trustees to meet their duties

Support to Senior Staff:

• Function as the primary link between the Board and the Chief Executive, offering guidance, support, and constructive challenge

• Conduct regular appraisals and set objectives for the Chief Executive, ensuring they have the resources and backing to succeed

• Serve as a sounding board for major decisions and initiatives, especially those that advance the charity’s literacy goals

Advocacy and Representation:

• Function as an ambassador for the charity, promoting its work to external stakeholders, including funders, partners, and the public

• Represent the charity at public events, campaigns, and meetings to raise awareness about adult literacy challenges and successes

Risk and Compliance:

• Ensure the charity has, and reviews, effective policies and systems for financial management, safeguarding, and risk mitigation

• Oversee the preparation of statutory reports, ensuring compliance with the Charity Commission and other regulatory bodies

• Safeguard the charity’s reputation and ensure its activities comply with all relevant laws and its governing documents

• Collaborate with Trustees and staff to monitor progress against strategic goals, adapting plans as necessary to meet evolving challenges and opportunities

Strategic Planning:

• Collaborate with Trustees and staff to monitor progress against strategic goals, adapting plans as necessary to meet evolving challenges and opportunities

Essential Skills and Attributes

• A strong passion for helping adults learn to read and a commitment to the charity’s mission

• Proven leadership experience in governance, strategy, or organisational management

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills

• Ability to lead, inspire, and manage a diverse group of Trustees and stakeholders

• Experience in chairing meetings and fostering inclusive, productive discussions

• Knowledge of charity governance and the role of Trustees in the UK

Desirable Skills

• Experience in the education, literacy, or non-profit sectors

• Experience of working with a dispersed large team of volunteers

• A background in fundraising, advocacy, or financial oversight

• Established networks in philanthropy, education, or related fields