Chair
Co-op Foundation
Flexible, with travel to Manchester required at least twice a year
Voluntary, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
The Co-op Foundation is a funder with a co-operative difference. We care deeply about how our funding can empower people and we trust our partners to do what matters most. By building relationships, by being honest and open, by learning and by accepting appropriate risk, we will support our partners to make an even greater impact tackling inequality and strengthening communities. Our vision is of strong communities, where people work co-operatively to make things better. Our mission is to help disadvantaged communities overcome their challenges by putting co-operative values into practice. We aim to stimulate and strengthen community action that connects and empowers people so they can work together to make things better.
THE ROLE
We’re looking for someone who shares our passion and are looking for a chair who understands the issues relevant to our communities, in particular young people, and instinctively knows how to build positive alliances at a local and national level. You will be a successful leader whose roots come from either the grant giving, social change or philanthropy sectors and will possess a natural and open engagement style and flexible approach to leading and uniting a Board. You will effortlessly leverage stakeholder networks and will understand how to operate within complexity and understands how it manifests in relation to The Co-operative Group and its management framework. You will make connections easily and will ensure we have a strong voice with policy makers, opinion formers, partners and others across the UK.
The Chair also works closely with our Chief Executive, Nick Crofts, and his Executive and Leadership Teams and key members within the Co-operative Group. We are looking for a new Chair who can provide support and constructive challenge around the big strategic decisions, and will bring balance, perspective and insight, quickly becoming an invaluable source of wisdom and guidance, and a trusted critical friend.
In return, we can offer a skilled, knowledgeable and dedicated trustee team along with a rare chance to chair a unique foundation. If this sounds like you, please do get in touch.
