Chair of the Board of Trustees and Trustees

Hft is a national charity supporting nearly 2,800 learning disabled adults across England and Wales to live the best life possible. In recent years, like many social care organisations, we have faced significant pressures driven by workforce challenges and rising costs. What followed was a demanding period of change, navigated with determination, care and honesty. Through difficult decisions and shared effort, we have restored financial stability, strengthened leadership, and begun to rebuild organisational pride, confidence and culture.

Today, Hft is in a different place. We have a clear strategy, a refreshed Executive Team, and a renewed sense of purpose. The next chapter is about transformation: modernising how we work, improving the quality and consistency of support, and increasing the independence, opportunity and choice available to the people who use our services. To support this journey, we are renewing our Trustee Board. Several existing trustees are coming to the end of their terms, and we now seek new voices, perspectives and expertise. This includes appointing our next Chair, alongside additional Trustees who will contribute to thoughtful and effective governance.

The roles

The Chair will provide leadership to the Board, ensuring trustees work well together, make sound decisions and stay focused on what matters most for the people we support. You will set the tone for governance, help shape strategic direction, and hold the Executive Team to account in a constructive and robust way. A key part of the role is the relationship with the Chief Executive, offering support, providing honest feedback and modelling a healthy distinction between governance and management. The Chair will also represent Hft externally, helping build confidence in our work and strengthening our partnerships.

Trustees play an equally important role in Hft's success. You will guide the strategic direction of the charity, ensure strong financial stewardship, assess risks and opportunities, and help ensure the people we support remain at the heart of every decision. Trustees contribute by reviewing information, participating in board and committee meetings, asking questions, offering insight and acting as ambassadors for the organisation.

Who we are looking for

We want people who care deeply about improving the lives of learning disabled adults, who can think strategically, listen well and bring balanced judgement to complex issues. You do not need previous trustee experience; what matters is your ability to contribute constructively, work well with others and uphold the highest standards of governance. For the Chair role, prior Board-level leadership experience and confidence representing an organisation externally will be essential.

Across both roles, we particularly welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those with lived experience of support or caring roles. In addition, we are especially interested in candidates who bring expertise in one or more of the following:

• Oversight of large, complex organisations (ideally with multiple sites/locations and diverse stakeholders) - Only required for the Chair
• Operational leadership in regulated social care, ideally learning disabilities
• Strategic People, OD, EDI or change
• Charity CEO experience
• Business development in commissioned services
• Commissioning experience in a Local Authority
• Safeguarding

These are voluntary, unremunerated roles. Reasonable expenses will be covered.

This is an important and rewarding moment to join Hft. If you want to contribute to a values-led organisation with clarity of purpose and genuine ambition for the future, we would be very pleased to hear from you.

To find out more, visit or, for a confidential conversation, please contact David Needham () or Anita Denton () at Tile Hill.

Closing date for Chair applications: Midnight on Sunday 25 January 2026
Closing date for Trustee applications: Midnight on Friday 6 February 2026