Chair and Trustees

SIA is the expert, guiding voice for life after spinal cord injury. Its vision is simple and ambitious: a fulfilled life for everyone affected by spinal cord injury. People living with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at the heart of SIA's work. The charity provides specialist support and advocacy, connects people to a national network of services and community support, builds specialist knowledge across health and care through training and education, and campaigns for systemic change.
SIA is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The Board is the charity's governing body and Trustees are also directors for the purposes of company law.
Our next Chair 
The Chair will lead the Board at a significant point in SIA's development. The Chair’s primary role is to create the conditions for an effective, inclusive and high-performing Board, drawing out the contribution of every Trustee while maintaining clear accountability and a constructive relationship with the Chief Executive. They will line-manage and support the CEO to maintain momentum behind Strategy 2030 and ensure that the Board keeps focus on its three goals, the impact of SIA's four strategic approaches, organisational capacity, financial resilience and the voice of people with SCI.
What we are looking for in the Chair 
• Lived experience of spinal cord injury and a strong personal commitment to SIA's vision and purpose. • Significant leadership experience at Board-level (Executive or Non-Executive), with the credibility and judgement to lead a national charity Board. • A strong understanding of good governance and the distinction between strategic oversight and executive management. • Experience of bringing people together around a shared purpose and building consensus without suppressing challenge. • Excellent interpersonal, listening and communication skills, with a collaborative and inclusive leadership style. • Strategic perspective and the ability to navigate complexity, ambiguity, risk and change. • Confidence as an ambassador and relationship-builder across diverse stakeholder groups. • The time and commitment to be visible, engaged and available beyond formal Board meetings.
What we are looking for in all Trustees
First-time Trustees are welcome Previous Trustee experience can be helpful, but it is not essential for the Trustee roles. SIA will provide induction and support, and values curiosity, judgement, lived experience and the willingness to contribute as part of a collective Board.All four appointees will have SCI. Beyond that shared lived experience, SIA wants to appoint people with varied backgrounds, skills and perspectives who can collectively strengthen the Board. Essential qualities • A clear commitment to SIA's vision, purpose and values. • The ability to use lived experience thoughtfully at Board level while recognising the breadth and diversity of the wider SCI community. • Strategic thinking and the ability to understand complex issues, assess evidence and focus on what matters most. • Sound, independent judgement and the confidence to ask constructive questions. • An ability to work collaboratively, listen well and respect different views and experiences. • Strong personal integrity and a clear understanding of collective responsibility. • A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. • A willingness to learn about and fulfil the legal duties and responsibilities of a charity Trustee and company director. • Sufficient time and energy to prepare for and participate in Board, committee and development activity.
Trustees are appointed for a three-year term, with the potential for renewal for up to two further terms, subject to SIA's Articles and the needs of the Board. The positions are voluntary and reasonable expenses are reimbursed. Time commitment Trustees should expect to commit time (amounting to approximately eight days per year) to: • Preparing for and attending at least four Board meetings each year. • Participating in at least one Board development or strategy day annually. • Serving on a Board committee and preparing for and attending its meetings. • Ad hoc meetings, working groups or calls where required. • Occasional SIA events, member engagement, stakeholder meetings or ambassadorial activity. 
The Chair will need to commit additional time for contact with the Chief Executive, Board planning, Trustee support and development, and external representation. The exact pattern will be discussed with shortlisted candidates but amounts to approximately 25 days per year, which varies depending on business need. 
Appointment process 
If you are interested in these opportunities, we encourage confidential conversations with our recruitment partners Public Leaders Appointments: • Anna Jay – MD – anna@publicleadersappointments.com • Melissa Stewart – Consultant – melissa@publicleadersappointments.com 
How to apply 
Please submit: • A CV, no more than three pages. • A supporting statement, no more than two pages, explaining your motivation and how your experience, skills and lived experience meet the requirements set out in this pack. • As part of Public Leaders Appointments’ commitment to inclusive recruitment, we invite candidates to complete a short, confidential equality monitoring questionnaire. Participation is voluntary and the information is kept separate from the selection process. It is used only for anonymised reporting and to help us evaluate the reach and inclusivity of our recruitment work. Equality monitoring form: PLA Diversity Insights – Equality Monitoring – Fill in form (Please use code: SIA-BOARD-26)  
Application details Closing date: Midday on 9th October 2026 Shortlisting: Week commencing 19th October Meeting with CEO and Team :Week commencing 9th November Interviews [In person at our HQ in Milton Keynes/online]: Week commencing 9th November Appointed Chair and Trustees will be invited to join our Board meeting on 21st November at SIA House, Milton Keynes/online. 
Applications to be submitted to: applications@publicleadersappointments.com