25th April 2022

Recruitment pack for new Trustee

Contents

Welcome letter

Many thanks for your interest in becoming a Trustee of the National Paralympic Heritage Trust (the Trust).

The Trust, which was established on 11th November 2015, exists to enlighten and inspire future generations by celebrating, cherishing and bringing the Paralympic heritage and its stories of human endeavour to life.

In our first six years we have achieved a lot for a small organisation. As well as opening our Heritage Centre at Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire we have had temporary exhibitions across the country in Norwich, Bradford and Gunnersbury Park in London. We have plans in place for future exhibitions in Bath and on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London and well as further developing our digital offer, which has become even more important in recent months.

In order to support us on the next stage of our journey we are looking to appoint one independent Trustee.

You could be drawn from the world of culture, heritage, disability or sport, or beyond, but you will share our passion for preserving and celebrating the heritage of the UK as the birthplace of the Paralympic movement and it is likely you will have an understanding of, and access to, important networks or contacts in the sport and/or heritage sectors. You will also need to be committed to our aims and values, and to equality and diversity.

Whatever you bring, we want to be clear about what we are looking for from you and this pack is designed to help you understand more about us, and the role, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Nigel Purse
Chairman


Your application and the recruitment process

Please find below details of the selection process, to assist you in completing and tailoring your application.

In order to apply you should submit:

  • An up-to-date CV which shows your full career history – we recommend that this is no longer than two pages.
  • A supporting statement explaining why you are interested in this role detailing how you meet the skills we are seeking – we recommend that this is no longer than two pages.

Please send your application, by email to [email protected] 

You will receive an acknowledgement and we suggest that if you don’t receive this you should contact us to confirm your application has arrived.

Interviews will be either face to face in Stoke Mandeville or via video conferencing. 

Interviews will be carried out by a Nominations Committee acting on behalf of The Board of Trustees which will be comprised of Nigel Purse, Chairman, and up to three other Trustees.

We very much see these as a two-way opportunity for us to find out more about each other.

Please do contact us if you wish to have an informal discussion about the role/organisation or if you have any other questions to help you decide whether to apply.

You can contact:

Nigel Purse, Chairman:  [email protected] or 07803 436454

Vicky Hope-Walker, CEO:  [email protected] or 07776 471066

We look forward to hearing from you.


About Us

The National Paralympic Heritage Trust exists to enlighten and inspire future generations by celebrating, cherishing and bringing the Paralympic heritage and its stories of human endeavour to life.

Our statement of purpose is to cherish, capture and explore the heritage of the British Paralympic Movement past, present and future, for generations to come.

The United Kingdom has played a critical role in the history and development of the Paralympic movement from its early beginning at Stoke Mandeville Hospital led by the inspirational Professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann to the global spectacle it now is.

The Trust has three founding members which are the British Paralympic Association, Buckinghamshire Council and WheelPower – British Wheelchair Sport, each of whom provide two trustees.

In addition the Trust has an independent Chairman and five independent Trustees who bring experience from the heritage, sporting and commercial worlds.

This recruitment is for one independent Trustee.

Over the next 3 years the Trust aims to:

  • Continue to deliver regional exhibitions including in London and Bath;
  • Continue to develop our dynamic learning and engagement programme that includes a range of direct and virtual delivery;
  • Review and deliver the cataloguing programme for collections and archives;
  • Develop permanent exhibition plans for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London;
  • Devise and begin the delivery of a long-term strategy and sustainability plan.

The Trust was awarded a National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant of over £1M in 2016 towards its objectives. In addition, the Trust has secured funding from its member organisations, the Wellcome Trust, Arts Council England, The Rothschild Foundation, HS2 and a range of other grant giving bodies and is now on a programme of work through to 2027.

For more detailed information about the NPHT and a list of the Trustees, please explore the website.


About the role

Skills and Experience

We are specifically looking for candidates who have skills and experience in income generation as we enter into a new phase of development towards becoming more sustainable and broadening our funding mix.

We may also consider candidates who can show an understanding of the schools and FE sector to inform our engagement and learning work or those who have experience of working in heritage and collections management.

A track record of leadership and operating at Board level in the private, public or voluntary sector is helpful but not essential.

Key responsibilities (jointly with other Trustees):

  1. Ensuring that the Trust has a clear vision and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these.
  2. Being responsible for the overall performance of the Trust and for its culture and ethos.
  3. Ensuring that the Trust complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
  4. Acting as a guardian of the Trust’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application.
  5. Ensuring that the Trust’s governance and probity is of the highest possible standard. 

Person specification

  1. A strong and visible passion and commitment to the Trust and its aims and ambitions.
  2. A broad understanding of the heritage and sporting landscape in the UK, including the political environment, at national and local level, would be ideal.
  3. An interest in disability issues, including but not limited to sport, is desirable.
  4. A knowledge of the trust and foundation landscape in the UK in order to support the fundraising needs of the Trust.
  5. The ability to develop and maintain the Trust’s strategic focus and direct the organisation towards its future.
  6. Be able to make a commitment to the Trust and devote the necessary time.
  7. Have strategic vision, independent judgement, an ability to think creatively and a willingness to speak your mind.
  8. A clear commitment to improving diversity and equality.
  9. Have knowledge of good governance and commitment to highest standards.

Time and commitment

Trustees are expected to attend each of the four Board meetings per annum. Whilst these have been virtual for the last two years we have started to meet again in person and anticipate a hybrid approach going forward, with meetings in central London/Aylesbury/Stoke Mandeville, retaining the option for people to join virtually as required.

Trustees are also expected to support the Board sub-Committees and also encouraged to meet with funders and stakeholders as required.

In addition, you will be encouraged to attend events to increase the awareness and profile of the Trust.

Terms

The appointment is for a three-year term, and up to three consecutive terms can be served.

The independent Trustees are appointed by the Board through an open recruitment process led by a Nominations Committee made up of Board members.

The role is voluntary. Travel and other reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Commitment to equality and diversity

We value diversity throughout our organisation and through our Equality and Diversity Policy we are striving for a diverse Board of Trustees. 

We are specifically looking to increase the representation of people with a disability and the ethnic diversity of our board.  We are also keen to recruit male trustees to help support a good gender balance to the Board.

As well as welcoming applications from everyone, we are therefore particularly keen to encourage candidates with disabilities, male candidates and those from black and minority ethnic groups to apply.

You can download a pdf version of the recruitment pack here. If you would like it in a different version please contact us at: [email protected]