Alopecia UK Chair of Trustees Recruitment Pack

Alopecia UK Chair of Trustees
       Recruitment Pack

Compiled: February 2022

About Alopecia UK

Alopecia UK is a charity working to improve the lives of those affected by alopecia through aims of
Support, Awareness and Research. Founded in 2004, we work to help adults, young people and
children affected by alopecia. This includes those with the condition, as well as their loved ones. We
are a small charity working nationally across the UK. Despite being small, we are the largest alopecia
charity in the UK and have big ambitions to continue our growth and development, reaching more
people and funding more research than ever before.

We have a fantastic staff team and board of Trustees, as well as a loyal network of volunteers and
supporters. This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate and innovative applicant to lead a small yet
dynamic charity and make a lasting difference to the lives of those affected by alopecia.

What is Alopecia?

Alopecia simply means hair loss. There are many types of alopecia, and the charity supports people
with all types of alopecia, because the psychological impact can be the same, regardless of cause or
type. Most people who contact Alopecia UK have Alopecia Areata, which is understood to be an
autoimmune condition. Alopecia Areata typically appears as patches on the scalp and/or beard. It
sometimes progresses to Alopecia Totalis (total hair loss on the scalp), or Alopecia Universalis (total
loss of hair from scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes and body). This dramatic change in appearance, while
not life threatening, is certainly life changing. Altered feelings around identity and sense of self can
impact on confidence and self-esteem, resulting in psychological challenges being presented in many
everyday life situations.

What does Alopecia UK do?

Support – we facilitate peer support through our UK-wide support group network, online peer support
platforms, national and regional events, and one-to-one support given to individuals via phone and
emails. We also maintain a website full of information, advice and support.

Awareness – we educate the general public about alopecia through social media, advice packs, events,
our website and podcast. We support various TV, radio, newspaper, and magazine (both print and
digital) media articles. We also advocate for the alopecia community amongst healthcare
professionals and peer charities, with a view to improving the patient experience.

Research – we distribute research grants and lead our own research, with the support of our Research
Committee and Lay Research Panel. We also support various research projects by helping to recruit
participants for them. We build awareness of alopecia research within the general public, the alopecia
community and the medical community.

Compiled: February 2022

Alopecia UK Staff Team

Following 10 years of being entirely volunteer-led, Alopecia UK moved towards having paid staff
resource in 2014, eventually culminating in the Charity’s first full-time employees in 2016. The Charity
opened its first office in the same year. We now have seven employed staff, led by our Chief Executive
Officer Sue Schilling. Our staff are skilled, enthusiastic, and passionate about delivering the Charity’s
aims.

While we have a small, paid staff team, we have a larger overall team, as we utilise a lot of volunteer
help for the Charity to provide the range of services that it does.

Alopecia UK Trustee Board

Our Trustee Board has been led by Alopecia UK’s Chair of Trustees, Simon Ray, since 2015. Simon is
planning to step down as Chair in November 2022, after seven years of service.

We currently have seven other Trustees, one of whom also has the role of Treasurer, and two of whom
sit on the Research Committee. We are also currently recruiting for a Secretary to the Board of
Trustees, as our current Secretary is also stepping down in November 2022.

The Trustee Board meets four times a year (two face-to-face meetings and two virtual meetings). Face-
to-face meetings tend to be held on Saturdays from approximately 11am-4pm. Virtual meetings tend
to be held midweek from approximately 6.30-8.30pm.

Trustees are encouraged to participate in charity campaigns and attend flagship events e.g. our Big
Weekend and Alton Towers trip.

This is a volunteer position. Only out-of-pocket expenses are payable to Trustees.

Trustees serve for a minimum period of three years.

Compiled: February 2022

Role description: Chair of Trustees of Alopecia UK

The duties of the Chair of Trustees are as follows:

    •   Chairing meetings of the Trustee board
    •   Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects by developing and agreeing a long-
        term strategy. Alopecia UK’s objects are:
            1. To promote and protect the physical and mental health of people with alopecia
               areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis and related conditions by the
               provision of support, education and practical advice.
            2. To advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to alopecia areata,
               alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis and related conditions.
            3. Conducting and commissioning research into alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and
               alopecia universalis and related conditions and to publish the results.
    •   Ensuring that the charity complies with its governing document, charity law, company law,
        employment law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations
    •   Ensuring that the charity applies its resources exclusively in pursuit of its charitable objects for
        the benefit of the public
    •   Identifying and managing risk
    •   Ensuring that the charity defines its goals and strategy, and evaluates performance against
        agreed targets
    •   Safeguarding the good name and values of the charity
    •   Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the charity, including having appropriate
        policies and procedures in place
    •   Ensuring the financial stability of the charity and creating a diverse funding base
    •   Ensuring there are proper financial planning, controls and reporting in place
    •   Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of
        the charity’s funds
    •   Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support,
        appraisal and remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer and staff team

In addition to the above statutory duties, the Chair of Trustees will also be expected to:

    •   Ensure all Trustee voices are heard, and promote an inclusive, fair and collegial culture
    •   Liaise with and motivate Trustees
    •   Lead on the development of the Trustee board, and ensure its decisions are implemented
    •   Assist with Trustee meeting planning
    •   Interview and appoint Trustees
    •   Act as a figurehead for the Trustee board, and be available to attend events, make speeches,
        write articles, be interviewed, and network with stakeholders as appropriate

Compiled: February 2022

•   Handle disciplinary/conflict issues with staff or Trustees should they arise
    •   Write Chair statement for Annual Accounts
    •   Review & sign off legal contracts
    •   Interact with the Charity Commission as appropriate
    •   Be available to handle external conflict or complaints relating to the charity – especially if
        those involve the charity executive(s)
    •   Provide mentoring and advisory supervision to the Chief Executive Officer, and support the
        staff team where necessary
    •   Attend some sub-meetings (e.g. Budget)
    •   Embrace and respect the familial culture of Alopecia UK

Please refer to NCVO guidance on board responsibilities, as well as Alopecia UK’s Charity
Commission records. You can also read Alopecia UK’s 2021-2024 strategy and Declaration of Trust.

Person specification

We are keen to create a diverse Board that is representative of the population we aim to serve.

Essential:
    •   A commitment to the charity’s mission to improve the lives of those affected by alopecia
    •   A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
    •   Strategic vision
    •   Good, independent judgement
    •   An ability to think creatively and generate ideas
    •   The confidence to challenge, question and speak their mind
    •   An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of
        trusteeship
    •   An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
    •   A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity,
        accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Desirable:

    •   Charity experience/understanding of charity sector
    •   Digital leadership skills

Compiled: February 2022

Note from our current Chair

I was appointed as AUK’s Chair of Trustees in November 2015 and having been re-elected twice now,
I am keen that the charity look to recruit a new Chair to bring new thinking, governance and
potentially strategic direction to the role.

The Chair role can be broken into several key elements. Whilst organisations like NVCO provide a
broad description of the role of Chair, I think it is important to emphasise the fluidity of the role
depending on the size, structure, and growth of the charity.

I also want to emphasise the ‘culture’ at AUK. As the current Trustees have seen, we have a loyal
and dedicated following that has been cultivated with care. I believe AUK has the feel of a wide
group of like-minded friends coming together to help each other in a variety of ways. Behind the
scenes, we have tried to build a charity infrastructure that fits a charity of our size (growing fast)
whilst maintaining that personal touch.

Your Application

Please email your CV and a supporting statement in PDF format to info@alopecia.org.uk by 10th
April, 2022.

Interview dates: To be confirmed

All interviews will be held over Zoom.

Supporting Statement:

Your supporting statement is an important part of your application. The information you provide
within your statement is key for us in shortlisting. Within your supporting statement please comment
on:

    •   Why you want to support the work of Alopecia UK as the Chair of Trustees
    •   How you meet the person specification
    •   What you feel you would bring to the Board and the charity in terms of experience, skillset
        and knowledge base
    •   What knowledge/experience you have of Alopecia UK and whether you have been involved in
        the charity’s work in the past

Your statement should not exceed 1,000 words. Please call Sue Schilling, Chief Executive Officer, on
01274 397833 if you have any questions.

Please note:

We reserve the right to close this recruitment process early should we receive a high volume of
applications. If you don’t hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume you were
unsuccessful on this occasion.

Compiled: February 2022