Leading the Board:

• Sets the tone for the Board, adopting a culture of integrity, transparency, accountability and good governance. Ensures the Board remains focused on long-term goals aligned to the organisation’s mission and values, and the organisation is well placed to expand when the opportunities are right and navigate the challenges confidently.
• Must ensure the meetings are productive and all members contribute effectively, and decisions are made in a timely and efficient manner. Ability to draw the best from the expertise round the table.
• Provides strategic oversight, working closely with senior management, to deliver the agreed organisation’s Strategic Plan.
• Work with the Board Secretary to plan the Board meetings effectively.
• Relationship with the Senior Management Team / Director
• This is crucial for the prosperity of the organisation. The Chair acts as a mentor/adviser/line manager and manages the performance of the Director. The Chair has the responsibility to embed mutual respect, trust and open communication.

External Representation:

• This involves communicating the organisation’s vision and listening/addressing the concerns and challenges. The Chair must acquire adequate knowledge in relation to Home-Start operational work and strategic objectives to be able to promote and speak on behalf of the organisation when opportunities arise.

Risk & Financial Management:

• Responsibility in overseeing the organisation’s risk management and financial framework. Work closely with the Senior Management Team to ensure that mitigation strategies are in place and monitoring the effectiveness of the strategies. Work with the Board and management to ensure the organisation is prepared to face both anticipated and unforeseen challenges.

Ethical Standards:

• Responsibility to ensure highest ethical standards, a culture of ethical behaviour and ethical decision making and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. The Chair must lead by example.
• Performance Management:
• The Chair manages the performance of the Director and the individual Trustees to ensure they are fulfilling their responsibilities delivering the organisation’s objectives effectively. The Chair is also responsible for overseeing the work of sub-committees (eg Finance & Audit and Performance Through People).

Succession Planning

• To ensure continuity and stability and help the organisation maintain its momentum and achieve its objectives. The Chair is responsible to identify and develop potential leadership talents within the organisation and plan for eventual transition of key roles, including the Director and Board members.

Conflict Resolution:

• The Chair can be called to mediate conflicts within the Board or between the Board and management. The Chair must have strong interpersonal skills, the ability to remain impartial and a focus on finding solutions that are in the best interest of the organisation.