Trustee

Be a force for change – join our Board

Are you looking to make a difference in your community? We are looking for people with new ideas and a fresh perspective to join our committed and friendly board. 

Diverse Academies is a multi-academy trust with a vision to inspire, to raise aspirations and to create brighter tomorrows. Across primary, secondary and special settings, we share a common mission to nurture curiosity, develop wellbeing and empower children and young people to go beyond their aspirations. Together, we believe we can make a difference in our diverse communities, and in the lives of those who learn with us and work with us. 

We empower. We respect. We care.

Being a trustee is a hugely rewarding form of voluntary work 

Trustees make a real difference to our students, pupils and our local community by actively contributing to the success of our academies. As strategic leaders of the academy trust, it is vital that the Trust board is connected with, and engages, the communities and stakeholders it serves.

We would like to hear from people with a range of skills and experiences. In particular, we welcome applications from people with experience in:

• strategic leadership in education 

• audit and financial management  

• corporate governance 

• legalities and compliance 

• human resources

You don’t need to be a leader in education to join a board of trustees for a multi-academy trust – we want people with diverse skills, fresh perspectives and new ideas that complement the experience of our executive leadership team.

Becoming a trustee can also be good for your career. Holding a position on a board of any kind tells prospective employers that your skills and experience are highly valued. It marks you out as a leader in your field, whether that’s in HR, marketing, finance or any other area. By joining the board of an educational organisation, you are directly contributing to the future success of thousands of children.

If you’re passionate about education, then becoming a board member is a great opportunity to drive change in this sector – and we will provide you with support and guidance in your journey from our experienced trustees.

If you’d like to know more about the role and how you can apply, email Jenni Harrison-Hill at jharrisonhill@diverse-ac.org.uk 

Your commitment

The Board is responsible for setting the Trust’s vision, ethos and strategic direction. A rewarding and valuable role, our trustees are also responsible for:

• holding executive leaders to account for educational and financial performance

• maintaining stability and the management of a dynamic structure

• contributing to financial planning for sustainability and potential growth

Our Board meets on Wednesday evenings at 5pm six times per year at the Diverse Academies Trust head office in Retford, Nottinghamshire. Trustees are also asked to support two of the sub committees which meet virtually via Microsoft Teams up to six times each a year and are held from 3pm onwards dependent on the committee. Meetings typically last up to two hours and trustees devote additional time to prepare for meetings and attend training. 

Diverse Academies and its Governors are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in their care and expects everybody working for the organisation to share this commitment. Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. To this end any appointments will be subject to safer recruitment checks and clearances.

This is a volunteer role, but travel expenses will be reimbursed in line with our expenses policy.