Trustees Needed
Trustees are collectively responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of CVS Cheshire East. They develop the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with its governing document, legal obligations and regulatory guidelines, ensuring the charity operates effectively and delivers genuine public benefit.
Being a trustee is both a privilege and a responsibility. It means lending your experience, skills and insight to strengthen not just CVS Cheshire East, but the wider VCFSE sector across Cheshire East.
Key Responsibilites
Legal and Governance Duties
Financial Responsibility and Risk
Safeguarding
Strategic Leadership
Supporting the Chief Executive
Collective and Individual Responsibility for decisions
Time commitment
Trustees are expected to read all Board papers in advance of meetings and come prepared to contribute. In addition, trustees may receive requests for information or decisions between meetings and are expected to respond in a timely manner: we anticipate that in addition to the meetings outlined above, trustees will need to spend between 2-4 hours per month contributing to CVSCE governance.
Skills
CVS Cheshire East welcomes applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
What matters most is passion for the VCFSE sector, a desire to make a difference and achieve change, and the commitment and dedication to engage with the Board and senior leadership to actively drive the organisation forward.
We are particularly keen to recruit trustees who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, and those with lived experience of being an employee or trustee of one of our member organisations.
How to apply
We hope that you are excited by the opportunity to join the Board of Trustees at CVS Cheshire East in an exciting time for the organisation.
To apply, please send your CV and a supporting statement of up to two pages indicating how you meet the requirements of the person specification and why you are interested in being a Trustee at CVS Cheshire East, to Kate Little, CEO at kate.little@cvsce.org.uk by midnight on Sunday 12th July.
We hope to conduct interviews during the week of 20th July, and will make arrangements with shortlisted candidates to fit around pre-existing commitments where possible.
If you would be interested in an informal discussion of the role, please contact Andy Speed, Chair of the Board, at andy.speed@student-crm.co.uk.
For full details and more information, please see our Trustee Recruitment Pack: CVSCE Recruitment Pack - Trustee (2026)
Perks and Benefits
The chance to make a real difference – contributing directly to the strength and sustainability of the VCFSE sector across the borough. There are over 3000 voluntary and community groups in Cheshire East, and CVSCE aims to ensure that all these groups are strong, empowered and making a difference in their communities.
The opportunity to shape strategy – including playing a key role in developing CVS Cheshire East’s next strategic plan
Access to a peer network – working alongside experienced trustees and sector professionals from across Cheshire East and beyond
A comprehensive induction – including the Trustee Playbook, key governing documents, strategic plan, financial accounts and Scheme of Delegated Authority
Ongoing training and development – both individually and collectively as a Board, covering topics relevant to your role and interests
Reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses – including travel, childcare and sustenance costs incurred in carrying out your duties
Skills You'll Need
Commitment to the VCFSE sector and public benefit - Genuine commitment to CVS Cheshire East’s mission and values; willingness to act in the charity’s best interests
Strategic thinking - Ability to think strategically and contribute to setting organisational direction; able to distinguish between governance and operational matters
Critical thinking and scrutiny - Ability to analyse complex information, ask probing questions and exercise independent judgement
Financial literacy - Ability to understand and scrutinise financial reports, budgets and risk information (expert accounting knowledge is not required)
Governance awareness - Willingness to develop an understanding of charity governance, trustee legal duties and the Charity Commission’s expectations
Safeguarding awareness - Understanding of, or willingness to develop knowledge of, safeguarding responsibilities in a charity context
Specialist skills (one or more desirable) - Finance, HR/people management, legal, communications/marketing, digital, fundraising, health & social care, or sector infrastructure
Networks and connections - Willingness to use personal and professional networks to support and advocate for CVS Cheshire East
