Chair

The Sheppard Trust is a charitable housing trust providing independent homes for women aged 65 and over who are in housing need.

We believe a secure and comfortable home can make an enormous difference in later life. We provide affordable, well-maintained homes and support residents to maintain their independence, health and wellbeing. We are not a care provider, but help residents access health, social care and other services when needed.

Our work is underpinned by respect for independence, privacy and dignity, alongside a commitment to creating a mutually supportive community. Through our homes, support and community activities, we aim to reduce loneliness and isolation and enable residents to enjoy full and active lives.

About the role

This is an important opportunity to lead The Sheppard Trust’s Board as we move from a significant period of development and expansion into one focused on operational delivery, strategic planning and long-term sustainability.

Working closely with fellow Trustees and the leadership team, our new Chair will provide strategic, inclusive and values-driven leadership, ensuring that residents remain at the heart of our decisions.

You will:

• Lead an effective, collaborative Board and promote high standards of governance, accountability and constructive challenge
• Help shape and oversee the Trust’s long-term strategic direction
• Provide appropriate oversight of our finances, investments, property assets and organisational resilience
• Develop a trusted, supportive and appropriately challenging relationship with the leadership team
• Act as an ambassador for the Trust, building relationships with residents, partners and other stakeholders.

We are looking for an experienced and thoughtful leader who combines strong governance capability with empathy, sound judgement and a genuine commitment to our purpose.

You will bring:

• Significant Board or senior leadership experience and a strong understanding of good governance
• Previous experience as a Trustee, Non-Executive Director or member of a governing body
• Experience of chairing Boards, committees or senior decision-making groups, or clear evidence that you are ready to step into a Chair role
• Strategic thinking and the ability to help an organisation navigate change and determine its future direction
• Commercial aptitude and confidence considering strategy, risk, finance, safeguarding and performance
• The ability to build strong relationships while providing both support and constructive challengE
• A collaborative, inclusive and emotionally intelligent leadership style.

We are open to different professional backgrounds. Experience of housing, almshouses, property, charities, older people’s services, financial stewardship or other social-purpose organisations would be valuable, as would strong local knowledge and connections.

Above all, you will have empathy with older people and share our commitment to independence, dignity and community.