Chair of the Board of Trustees

We are looking for a Chair to join and lead the Board of Trustees and ensure it governs the Society effectively, in line with the BSBI Strategy, vision and mission. The role works closely with the Chief Executive, Trustees, President and Chairs of BSBI Standing and Country Committees.

We are seeking someone with good leadership and communications skills and experience of charity governance, as well as a strong commitment to our cause and an understanding and commitment to our members’ passion for plants. Further training and support can be provided in the role. Most of all we need someone with the enthusiasm and time to help us make a difference for botanists, botany and wild plants.

The BSBI aims to be transparent and inclusive in the way we recruit and support our Trustees. We welcome and value diversity and recognise that difference brings a wide range of perspectives that is valuable to our work.

The role - responsibilities and tasks

The overall role of the Chair is to lead the Board of Trustees in strategy, good governance and policy development. The Chair plays a key role in helping the Board of Trustees to discharge its responsibilities by overseeing the Society’s performance, its resources and assets. The Chair advises on minimising risks; ensuring that robust policies, systems, controls and budgets are all in place. As a Trustee, the Chair also contributes towards decisions to develop our charity and our work, in line with our Strategy and policy.

The duties of the Chair include the following:

• Chair and facilitate Board of Trustee meetings, a minimum of 4 per year.
• Chair the Annual General Meeting and the Forum meeting (once a year) and where appropriate represent the BSBI at other functions and meetings.
• Active and committed membership in the Nomination, Awards and Governance (NAG) Committee (normally as Chair but chair role can be devolved to another member of NAG).
• Give a lead to the Trustees, Chief Executive and Committees (3 standing committees, 4 country committees) in ensuring we meet our charitable objectives, adhere to the BSBI Articles of Association and Governance Handbook and take forward the Society’s Strategic Plan.
• Undertake reviews with each Trustee to ensure they are able to maximise their contribution to the Society.
• Give direction to Board of Trustees policy-making, bring impartiality and objectivity to decision making and ensure implementation of policies and strategies of the society by Trustees.
• Maintain contact with and support the Chief Executive and key staff in delivering the Strategic Plan and associated work programme, for example through regular catchups with the Chief Executive and by occasionally joining staff meetings.
• Undertake the annual performance appraisal review of the Chief Executive.
• Maintain regular contact with the President.
• Attend other meetings as necessary including sub committees of the Board of Trustees and activities of particular relevance to the Society’s business such as revisions to the BSBI Strategy.
• With the Chief Executive and Hon Gen Secretary:
• Plan the annual cycle of Board of Trustees meetings, the AGM and Forum meeting.
• Set agendas for the Board of Trustees meeting and AGM.
• Develop the Board of Trustees, including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning.
• In the event of any conflict arising within the Board of Trustees and within the Society, address this in liaison with relevant Trustees, President and staff.

Should the Chair decide a Vice-chair role is necessary, this role will be put in place and the Chair and Vice- chair will work together to mutually agree their respective responsibilities.