Hft is a national charity supporting nearly 2,800 adults with a learning disability to live the best life possible. Over the last few years, we have moved from a period of real worry and challenge into a new phase of stability, confidence and forward momentum. We have reduced our deficit by 75%, strengthened our leadership, and are now focused on delivering consistently excellent, values-led support while growing our wider impact.

Our current Chair’s term of office comes to an end in 2026. They have played a key role in helping guide Hft through this period of difficulty and into a far more stable and optimistic place. As we look ahead to a planned and well-supported transition, we are renewing and expanding our Board. Alongside recruiting several new Trustees with a range of skills and lived experience, we are now seeking a new Chair of the Board to lead, develop and galvanise this next iteration of Hft’s governance.

We are entering the next stage of our journey – moving from “credible” to truly “incredible” in what we do for the people we support, our colleagues, and the sector. This is a rare opportunity to Chair an important national charity at a pivotal and positive point in its story – with a clear strategy, an energised Executive Team and a Board that is ready to lean into its role as steward, challenger and champion.

The role
As Chair, you will lead the Board of Trustees as it oversees the delivery of Hft’s strategy and supports the organisation through its next phase of transformation. You will ensure the Board is cohesive, confident and focused on the things that matter most: the quality of life of the people we support, the wellbeing of our workforce, our financial sustainability and the impact we have in the wider social care system.

You will:

• Set the tone for high-quality governance and constructive challenge, ensuring the Board is strategic, outward-looking and aligned with Hft’s values.

• Lead a diverse group of Trustees – including new appointees – so that they work effectively together, bring their skills to the table, and have a clear golden thread between Board, committees and the Executive.

• Work in close partnership with the Chief Executive as a trusted, thoughtful counterpart – offering support and scrutiny in equal measure, and ensuring clarity of roles between governance and management.

• Champion Hft externally, representing the charity with credibility and warmth to commissioners, partners, sector bodies, funders and families, helping to strengthen confidence in Hft and amplify the voices of people with a learning disability.

You will also play an active role in shaping and mentoring the wider Trustee cohort – helping newer Trustees to grow into their roles, ensuring our committees are effective, and modelling a culture of openness, learning and collective responsibility.

What we are looking for
We are looking for an experienced Board leader who is motivated by both impact and improvement – someone who can help us hold the gains we have made, whilst inspiring the next stage of our journey.

You will:

• Have substantial experience of chairing at Board or equivalent level, with the confidence to lead a multi-disciplinary Board through complex, change-oriented discussions.

• Be able to bring people together around a shared purpose, creating space for different voices while guiding the Board towards clear, timely decisions.

• Bring a strong grasp of governance, risk and financial stewardship, and the ability to translate complex information into clear, balanced judgements.

• Be an excellent relationship-builder – able to work effectively with Trustees, the Chief Executive, the Executive Team, people we support, families, commissioners and sector partners.

• Be comfortable operating in an organisation that is ambitious, learning-oriented and still evolving – seeing change not as a risk to be managed away, but as an opportunity to be shaped well.

In addition to these qualities, we are keen that the Chair brings expertise in at least one of the following areas:

• Oversight of large, complex organisations (ideally with multiple sites/locations and diverse stakeholders)

• Operational leadership in regulated social care, ideally learning disabilities

• Strategic People, OD, EDI or change

• Charity CEO experience

• Business development in commissioned services

• Commissioning experience in a Local Authority

• Safeguarding

This is an unremunerated position. Reasonable expenses are covered.

This is a significant role, but also a deeply rewarding one. If you want to lead a Board that is aligned, engaged and determined to make a tangible difference and you feel you can help Hft take the next step in its journey, we would be very pleased to hear from you.