Trustees

UK Acumen Academy (Charity number ) develops and delivers transformative leadership programmes to equip social entrepreneurs and leaders across the United Kingdom with the tools and community needed to strengthen their leadership, scale their impact, and create lasting change. As the UK partner of Acumen Academy - the world's school for social change - we are building a locally-rooted and globally-connected movement dedicated to solving problems of poverty and building a society based on dignity.

Against the backdrop of persistent poverty and rising inequality across the United Kingdom, we identify, support, and accompany pioneering role models and business models who are reimagining the future of education, employment, healthcare, and inclusion for communities experiencing disadvantage.

Through our flagship UK Fellows Programme, we have provided catalytic support to 84 Founders, CEOs and senior leaders whose innovations have positively impacted over 3 million lives across the United Kingdom. Our Fellows are breaking down barriers and fostering dignity for people trapped by systems of poverty, including:

• Marcellus Baz - Founder of Switch Up - transforming the lives of vulnerable young people through sport, mentoring, and counselling.
• Michelle Hill - CEO of Talk, Listen, Change - building a holistic approach to safe and healthy relationships.
• Rachel Gegeshidze - CEO of Tempo - uniting public, private, and community sectors to uplift communities.
• Fred Kastner - Co-Founder of TERN - supporting refugee entrepreneurs to build thriving enterprises.
• Yasmin Khan - CEO of Staying Put - working with communities to prevent abuse and build a world free from violence.

Our 2025 Impact Report reflects the strong foundation we have built through the UK Fellowship, Foundry, and our growing partnerships. Building on this, we are looking to recruit up to three new Trustees to join the UK Acumen Academy board - helping carry UK Acumen Academy into its next chapter and deepening the reach, delivery, and impact of our programmes and our Fellows.

We have identified three areas where we are particularly seeking expertise - Fundraising & Partnerships, Networks & Ambassador, and Finance & Treasurer (see the appendix) - and we anticipate recruiting for all three roles. However, we remain open to the right people: depending on the experience and expertise of candidates, we may recruit across some or all of these positions, or consider individuals who bring a compelling combination of skills across more than one area.

If you are unsure which role best fits your background, we encourage you to apply and tell us what you bring - we will work with you to find the best fit.

Trustee Roles, Responsibilities and Duties

The Board of Trustees plays a pivotal role in stewarding the mission, ethos, and impact of UK Acumen Academy. As a Trustee, we look to you to:

• Be a committed champion of our mission.
• Celebrate what we are doing well and demand we do more.
• Support the Director as a thought partner and critical friend.
• Model the leadership qualities we aim to cultivate in others.

Core Responsibilities

Trustees act as strategic advisors to the Director - not operational staff - across the following areas:

• Governance: Ensure the charity is legally compliant, well managed, risk-aware and mission-aligned.
• Strategy: Shape, review and monitor organisational strategy, and ensure it can be implemented.
• Financial oversight: Ensure financial sustainability and sound decision-making on resource allocation.
• Partnerships & networks: Make strategic introductions and help secure funding and in-kind support.
• Ambassador: Promote the work of Acumen Academy and represent our values externally.
• Thought partnership: Act as a generous thought partner to the Director and team, offering support while respecting operational boundaries.

See the appendix for more detailed responsibilities across Fundraising & Partnerships, Networks & Ambassador, and Finance & Treasurer.

Time Commitment:

• Four 2-hour board meetings annually (mix of in-person and virtual).
• Approximately 2 hours per month of additional engagement (reading materials, supporting the Director, etc.).
• One half-day strategy day annually (in-person)
• Attendance at periodic community events, where possible.
• During key moments - such as strategy reviews or recruitment - some Trustees may choose to contribute more, and this is warmly welcomed.
• An initial board term of up to three years.

Diversity & Inclusion

UK Acumen Academy is committed to building a board that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability. We particularly encourage applications from those with lived experience of the social issues our Fellows work on. We believe that diversity of perspective and experience makes us a stronger, more effective organisation.

Next Steps

If you are inspired by our mission and believe you have something meaningful to contribute, we would love to hear from you.

To apply, please send a CV and a short cover note by email to or via the button below, telling us why you want to join the UK Acumen Academy board and what you would bring to the role.

Our process is as follows:

• Application: Share your CV and cover note by an email to
• Conversations with Trustees: Two 45-minute conversations (online or in person) with members of the Board to explore your motivations and experience, and to give you an opportunity to learn more about the organisation and the role of the Board.
• Board Meeting Observation: Where possible, shortlisted candidates will be invited to observe a Board meeting (currently planned for late-May) before a final decision is made.

If you have any questions before applying or would like an informal conversation ahead of submitting, please don't hesitate to get in touch at the same address.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage you to get in touch as soon as possible.

Appendix

Fundraising & Partnerships Trustee

The Fundraising & Partnerships Trustee provides strategic oversight and guidance on income generation, supporting the Director to develop a resilient funding model that combines philanthropy, partnerships, and earned income.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Income Guidance: Advise on fundraising and earned income strategies, ensuring they are ambitious, coherent, and mission-aligned.
• Model Sustainability: Support the organisation to build diversified, reliable income streams that match our long-term mission and ambition.
• Thought Partnership: Provide insight and feedback on funding proposals, partnership design, and positioning.

Networks Ambassador Trustee

The Networks Ambassador Trustee plays a vital role in expanding UK Acumen Academy's reach and influence - opening doors, accelerating introductions, and connecting us to the people and organisations who can amplify our work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Introductions: Proactively identify and facilitate introductions to potential funders, partners, Fellows, and collaborators.
• Network Leveraging: Cultivate relationships across philanthropy, business, civil society, and aligned movements for social change.
• Values-led Stewardship: Ensure all relationship-building reflects Acumen's ethos - rooted in dignity, trust, and long-term thinking.

Treasurer

The Treasurer provides financial stewardship and oversight, supporting the Director to ensure UK Acumen Academy remains financially healthy, transparent, and well-positioned to deliver on its mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Oversight & Reporting: Review financial reports, ensuring the board has a clear and accurate picture of the organisation's financial position at all times.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Support the Director in developing annual budgets and longer-term financial forecasts that reflect strategic priorities and funding realities.
• Financial Sustainability: Advise on financial risk, reserves policy, and the financial implications of key decisions.