Trustee
The Rayne Foundation
Central London
Voluntary basis, with reasonable expenses reimbursed
The Rayne Foundation is an independent grantmaker, endowed in 1962 by Lord Max Rayne, who chaired or served on the boards of numerous arts, education, medical and social welfare organisations including the National Theatre, where he served as Chairman for eighteen years. Lord Rayne (1918 to 2003) was one of the few post-war property developers who helped to rebuild central London after the Blitz.
Today, the Foundation is in good health and has clear ambitions for the future. Our mission is to develop and share solutions that address some of society’s most pressing needs. Over the past two years we have become a more strategic and proactive funder, focusing on our priority areas through targeted funding calls, most notably: ‘Better Careers for Better Care’, which supports the development of the adult social care workforce; and ‘Where People Meet’, our major new programme to support community asset development across the UK.
Grantmaking, convening and sharing learning is at the heart of this approach: we work with a wide range of expert external partners, bring our grantees together to share what works, and draw on people with lived, learned and professional experience in making our decisions. We also work alongside other funders with similar priorities, convening sector leaders and looking for opportunities to fund collaboratively so that our resources go further. Our aim is to build evidence that can influence policy and practice in the longer term, guided by our values of being trusting, collaborative, creative and rigorous.
THE ROLE
We are now looking for a new trustee to join us. We would like to appoint someone who has led at chief executive or executive director level, or held a comparably senior role in public life or policy, and who brings experience of governance, whether as a trustee or non-executive director or through working closely with a board.
We are particularly interested in people whose experience spans health, social care or the lives of older people, reflecting the importance of these areas to our grant-making. Experience of supporting refugees and asylum seekers, and knowledge of the regions and devolved nations, would also be welcome.
As a UK-wide funder, we would be pleased to hear from candidates based outside London. Above all, though, we want to find the right person for the role: someone who is interested in the work we fund, is a good team player and wants to help a Foundation with a long and proud history make the greatest possible difference.
INFORMATION
Download the candidate brief to find out about the role.
DOWNLOADHow to apply
To make an application, please click on the apply button below, with the following prepared:
- Your CV (no more than three sides).
- A covering letter that sets out your motivation for the role and describes the specific experience you can bring to the appointment.
We would also be grateful if you would complete the Equality and Diversity monitoring form on the online application process. This form is for monitoring purposes only and is not treated as part of your application.
Recruitment timetable
Closing date: Friday 27th November 2026
Preliminary interviews with Starfish: w/c 7th December 2026
Final Panel interviews: Late December 2026 / early January 2027
Apply