Founded in 2017 by Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs, Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) is the only UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of economic abuse and transforming responses to it. SEA has grown steadily in recent years, and we are now looking to expand our board of trustees. This is an exciting time to join us as we launch a new three year survivor-centred strategy, further growing our impact.
We undertake research that supports our policy development, influencing and campaigning and we develop solutions to effect real, lasting systems change. We work with the Experts by Experience, a group of over 50 victim-survivors with lived experience who inform all our work, and have an established partnership with Money Advice Plus who run the Financial Support Line for victims of domestic abuse. Our close partnerships with the women’s and financial services sectors enable us to support change on the issues that directly impact the lives of victim-survivors.
Based on research SEA conducted in November 2024, nearly one million women in the UK have been trapped with a dangerous abusive partner as a result of the economic abuse. This represents a quarter of the women affected by economic abuse in the last year. We recently appointed a new Chief Executive, Sam Smethers, to lead SEA through the next stage of growth in income and profile. We have vacancies for up to four trustees who share our commitment to driving positive change and to ensure we continue to centre survivors in everything we do. We are looking for experienced leaders within their fields and are particularly interested in the following backgrounds:
Personal behaviours and a strong commitment to SEA’s values and feminist ethos are equally important. We are looking for someone who is passionate about working alongside victim-survivors to stop economic abuse and who is a team player with a naturally collaborative approach. You must have outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong relationships, as well as be a positive ambassador for the charity.
You do not need to have prior trustee experience. Although you must be able to demonstrate you understand the difference between the executive and non-executive role and bring some understanding or strong willingness to learn about gender-based violence and the issue of economic abuse.
We particularly welcome applications from Black and racially minoritised and/or disabled candidates who are under-represented on our board.
Download the candidate brief to find out about the role.
DOWNLOAD
To make an application, please click on the apply now button below, with the following prepared:
Closing date
Friday 1st August 2025
Preliminary interviews with Starfish online
Across August 2025
Final Panel interviews with SEA in person
w/c 15th September 2025