Chair

CPRE Avon and Bristol

Seeks a new Chair

to lead its work to enhance and protect our local countryside

Location: Bristol/Surrounding Area
Salary: Voluntary / Unremunerated / Expenses Paid
Time Commitment: As required

Who We Are

CPRE Avon and Bristol is an independent charity that exists to protect and regenerate the countryside around Bristol, Bath and the surrounding rural areas of North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. It sits within the highly respected network of CPRE charities that operate in almost every English County headed by the influential National Charity HQ in London.

We work with our members, local communities and volunteers to protect our countryside from unsustainable development and practices. We run projects that connect people from diverse groups to their local countryside.

A flagship project, that has been funded for five years now, is ‘Hedgerow Heroes’. We train volunteers and communities in the traditional craft of hedgelaying and also plant new hedgerows to aid biodiversity and climate change resilience.

Our staff consists of one part-time Charity Co-ordinator and a Project Lead and Assistant for Hedgerow Heroes. Other services such as communications and additional fundraising are provided by freelancers.

About the Role

We are now seeking to appoint a new Chair of the Board of Trustees to provide strategic leadership, uphold strong governance, and work closely with our Board of Trustees as the Charity ends a successful year celebrating 100 years of protecting the countryside and enters an exciting new strategic phase. The Chair will guide our committed and experienced Board, ensuring it remains focused on our mission, delivers measurable outcomes, and continues to innovate within an evolving rural landscape amid challenging political times.

What You Will Be Doing

• Providing strategic leadership to the charity and supporting fundraising, membership and engagement initiatives
• Ensuring board and subgroup meetings and our AGM are held on a regular basis according to the rules set out by the constitution
• Building relationships and representing CPRE at community, council and partnership meetings
• Liaising with local CPREs, regional groups and national CPRE
• Supporting trustees, employees and volunteers, and identifying candidates for succession.
• Providing or arranging line management of any employees
• Safeguarding the good name and values of our charity
• Advocating the work of CPRE through public speaking and media interviews
• Leading strategy on particular projects such as our successful ‘Hedgerow Heroes’. The project has run for 5 seasons and this year, our volunteers planted 2.7 km of new hedgerow and restored 380 metres through hedgelaying
• Discussing other initiatives to build on this success and help support the latest CPRE campaign ‘On the Edge’ by empowering local communities to manage overlooked countryside and green spaces on the edges of our urban life
• Guiding communication strategy for the charity, both internally and externally

Who We’re Looking For

• We are keen to hear from individuals with senior leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector, whether through executive roles, non-executive positions, or significant voluntary involvement.
• You will bring strategic insight, sound judgement, and a collaborative leadership style.
• And, most importantly, you will bring your passion and commitment to countryside and environmental matters to affect change where it’s needed and to create tangible benefit for all our diverse communities within the region.
• By applying your skills and experience you can make a real difference and be a central part of a friendly and active charity. We would love to hear from you.

Desirable

• Strong understanding of charity governance and board effectiveness, including experience of leading or chairing boards or committees
• The ability to oversee organisational performance, risk, and assurance through effective committee structures
• Financial acumen, with the confidence to interpret financial information and support long-term financial sustainability for the Charity
• And we ask our Chair to represent our charity by being the voting member at national CPRE