Latest News Trustee vacancies 21st May 2024 Recruitment pack for new Trustees Contents Overview Welcome letter Your application and the recruitment process About us About the role Overview This is an exciting time to join the Trust to help us deliver our strategy 2024 to 2028. 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 interested in recruiting suitably qualified male trustees to help support a good gender balance on the Board. As well as welcoming applications from everyone, we are therefore particularly keen to encourage candidates with disabilities, male candidates, people with neurodivergence and those from black and minority ethnic groups to apply, and local community representatives. We are looking for Trustees who have skills and experience in one (or more) of the following areas: Lived experience of special education needs, disability and diversity is crucial to our focus of work, the Paralympics. Leadership/Chairing trusts. Financial Leadership understanding and experience in budgeting, cashflow and accounts. Income generation with a particular focus on building commercial partnerships or fundraising. Understanding of the education sector to inform our engagement and learning work. Understanding of the disability sports sector. 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. You might for example have a particular skill set but not Board experience. 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 operational seven years (2017-2024) 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, Keighley, Milton Keynes, the Olympic Park London and Gunnersbury Park in London. We are now focused on developing our digital offer, with a Global Paralympic Museum and diversifying our collections across all areas of disability sport working in particular with the National disability sport organisations. For more information click this link to our 2 pager summary strategy: https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/what-we-do It has been a pleasure for me to have been a part of this journey but now some of our Trustees, including myself are coming to the end of our term working with the NPHT and in order to support us on the next stage of our exciting innovative journey we are looking to appoint: A new Chair of the NPHT – from January 2025 A new Chair of the Finance and Development Committee – from August 2024 One additional Trustee You could be drawn from the world of culture, heritage, disability, 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. Having an understanding of, and access to, networks or contacts in the sport and/or heritage or disability 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. We are particularly keen in broadening our Board across all areas of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and welcome local community applicants as well as people from further afield. Nigel PurseChair Your application and the recruitment process Please find below details of the selection process, to assist you in completing and tailoring your application. 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] 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] Closing Date - applications should be received by noon on Monday 24th June 2024. 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 take place be either face to face in Stoke Mandeville or via video conferencing on the 15th and 16th July, 2024. Interviews will be carried out by a Nominations Committee acting on behalf of The Board of 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, Chair: [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 Chair and five independent Trustees who bring experience from the heritage, sporting and commercial worlds. This recruitment is for a Chair of Trustees, a Chair of Finance and Development and one additional Trustee. For more detailed information about the NPHT and a list of Trustees, please visit our website at www.paralympicheritage.org.uk The Trust is now a year into its new 5-year strategy, phase 2. This strategy is set out here: https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/becoming-seamlessly-inclusive-strategy About the role Skills and Experience We are looking for Trustees who have skills and experience in one (or more) of the following areas: Lived experience of disability, special education needs and diversity is crucial to our focus of work, the Paralympics. Leadership/Chairing trusts Financial Leadership understanding and experience in budgeting, cashflow and accounts Income generation with a particular focus on building commercial partnerships or fundraising. Understanding of the education sector to inform our engagement and learning work. Understanding of the disability sports sector 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. You might for example have a particular skill set but not Board experience. Key responsibilities (jointly with other Trustees): Ensuring that the Trust has a clear vision and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these. Commitment to the successful delivery of our Phase 2 strategy 2023 - 2028. Being responsible for the overall performance of the Trust and for its culture and ethos. Ensuring that the Trust complies with all legal and regulatory requirements. Acting as a guardian of the Trust’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application. Ensuring that the Trust’s governance and probity is of the highest possible standard. Person specification - You may have all or just some of these A strong and visible passion and commitment to the Trust and its aims and ambitions. A broad understanding of the heritage/sporting landscape in the UK, including the political environment, at national and local level, would be ideal. An interest in/lived experience of disability issues, including but not limited to sport, is desirable. A knowledge of the trust and foundation landscape in the UK in order to support the fundraising needs of the Trust. The ability to develop and maintain the Trust’s strategic focus and direct the organisation towards its future. Be able to make a commitment to the Trust and devote the necessary time. Have strategic vision, independent judgement, an ability to think creatively and a willingness to speak your mind. A clear commitment to improving diversity and equality. Have knowledge of good governance and commitment to highest standards. Have good independent judgement combined with the ability to work collaboratively and effectively as a member of a Trustee team. 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. The Chair of the Finance and Development Committee will need to commit to an additional four Finance and Development Committee Meetings. 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 recruiting suitably qualified 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, people with neurodivergence and those from black and minority ethnic groups to apply, and local community representatives. Manage Cookie Preferences