Trustee - London

Trustee

Salary Voluntary role; expenses will be reimbursed Hybrid: London and Remote

Application deadline 20/11/2026

Details

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Role Description

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that Women in Prison achieves its strategy. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity.

Please download the recruitment pack for full list of responsibilities.

Duties:

• Support and provide advice on Women in Prison’ purpose, vision, goals and activities.
• Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee Women in Prisons’ financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure that key risks are identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve Women in Prisons’ financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to Women in Prisons’ CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority.
• Keep abreast of changes in Women in Prison’s operating environment.
• Contribute to regular reviews of Women in Prisons’ own governance. Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Women in Prisons’ interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.

What we are looking for

• We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.

Terms of appointment

• Trustees are appointed for a three-year term of office, renewable for one additional three-year term. In special circumstances, trustees may be approved for a third consecutive three-year term, serving a maximum of nine years.
• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Time commitment

• Meetings: Attend four 2-hour Board meetings annually (two remote, two in-person in London) and quarterly 30-minute catch-ups with the Chair of the Board of Trustees as well as the CEO.
• Awayday: Participate in one full-day, in-person Awayday each year.
• Subcommittees: Some trustees are expected to attend subcommittee meetings, which occur prior to the Board meetings. Currently, there are two subcommittees: Finance, Fundraising, Audit, and Risk; and Nominations, Remuneration, and Culture.

How to apply

• Please submit your CV and cover letter (no more than one page) on the next page.

Please note, applications missing documents will not be considered.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role before deciding whether to formally apply, please contact Sonya Ruparel at [email protected]. You can also listen to a video recording of what it is like to be a trustee: Meet the Chair and CEO: Insights into Trusteeship at Women in Prison

Benefits

Women in Prison will offer you the following:

• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed such as your transport to and from board meetings and any childcare costs incurred to attend an interview or board meeting.
• Any reasonable adjustments you may need to participate fully as a member of the board, should you, for example, have any physical or mental health needs.
• An induction period when you join the board, with the option to ‘buddy up’ with a current board member while you learn the ropes. We will also make efforts to include you in staff training on specialist topics to ensure you are comfortable in your understanding of WIP’s work and can develop your own skills.
• All trustees are given the opportunity to visit projects, prisons and Women’s Centres, to meet women who use our services and staff to better understand the work we do.
• Trustees may be offered opportunities to represent the charity at events, awards and conferences.
• Work in a committed and passionate organisation that is achieving results.
• The opportunity to learn new skills, gain different experiences and develop your professional life.
• Opportunities to work alongside a group of committed and supportive women, meet a very diverse range of people and contribute to positive change.

Notes

Please apply with CV and Cover Letter. Applications missing either of these documents will not be accepted.