Finance and Audit & Risk Trustees

Bath & Wells Diocesan Multi Academy Trust is recruiting two new Trustees to join its Board: one with a strong finance background and one with professional expertise in audit and risk. With more than 45 Church and non‑Church schools across the South West, BWMAT is a large, inclusive and values‑driven trust committed to ensuring every child experiences “life in all its fullness.”

These roles offer the opportunity to shape strategic direction, strengthen governance, and support the CEO and senior leaders in delivering excellent education across diverse communities. Whether your background is in financial management, audit, compliance, risk oversight or assurance, this is a chance to use your professional skills to make a meaningful difference to thousands of children.

Finance Trustee
The Trustee with a background in finance will help oversee the Trust’s financial performance, ensuring public funds are used wisely, transparently and in direct support of children’s education. You will scrutinise budgets, forecasts and management accounts, support value‑for‑money decisions, and contribute to long‑term financial planning and risk mitigation. Your insight will help ensure the Trust remains solvent, sustainable and able to invest confidently in its priorities.

You will bring: 

• Experience in finance, accounting, investment, commercial management or financial governance
• Ability to analyse complex financial information and ask constructive, probing questions
• Understanding of financial controls, compliance and value‑for‑money principles
• Confidence contributing to strategic financial planning and oversight

Audit & Risk Trustee
The Trustee with an audit and risk background and experience will help to provide rigorous oversight of internal controls, compliance and risk management. You will review risk registers, audit reports and assurance processes, ensuring the Trust operates safely, legally and effectively. Working closely with auditors and senior leaders, you will help strengthen governance, safeguard public funds and ensure risks are understood, monitored and mitigated.

You will bring: 

• Experience in audit (internal or external), risk management, compliance or regulatory oversight
• Ability to interpret audit findings, identify gaps and strengthen assurance systems
• Understanding of risk frameworks, statutory requirements and governance expectations
• Confidence chairing or contributing to audit/risk discussions at Board level

Time commitment

• Approximately 12 meetings per year (Board + committee), typically 3–4 hours each
• Reading papers, preparing questions and reviewing reports
• Occasional school visits, training sessions and stakeholder meetings
• Taking a lead portfolio linked to either Resources (Finance) or Audit & Risk
• Optional involvement in temporary support for Local Governing Committees

Meetings are a mix of in‑person (daytime) and online (evenings), with flexibility around other commitments.