Treasurer

Who we are

Action with Communities in Rural England, known as ACRE is the national charity for rural communities. It champions thriving, sustainable and inclusive rural communities that have the services and resources they need to secure equitable outcomes for everyone.

Ten million people live in the English countryside; many communities face significant and persistent challenges, including access to affordable housing, transport and communications connectivity, public services, isolation and loneliness, energy costs and the transition to net zero.

ACRE works through a national network of 37 independent member charities, which are embedded in local rural communities across England. Together, ACRE and its members campaign for change, enable local action and improve support for people most in need.

The organisation has a distinctive national voice and works closely with government, funders and partners to ensure rural communities are heard and understood. In 2024/25, ACRE distributed significant government funding through its network and directly to rural communities, including support for rural housing enablers and village halls.

ACRE is seeking a new Treasurer to join its Board and help strengthen the financial resilience of a national charity working for thriving, inclusive and sustainable rural communities.

This is an exciting time to join ACRE. The organisation has launched its 2025 to 2030 strategy. This sets out to develop a bolder voice and speak up more loudly for rural communities. ACRE will choose where to focus its efforts, prioritising issues where it can achieve the greatest outcomes and build the most momentum. They will pilot new ways of working with the network, make better use of collective power to maximise impact, and test new ways to support those in greatest need. The Treasurer will play a key role in ensuring ACRE has the financial insight, oversight and resilience needed to deliver that ambition.

About the role

You will join the Board as both a Trustee and a Treasurer of ACRE. You will act as the Board’s lead on financial oversight, chair the Finance Sub-Committee and provide guidance on budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and sound financial management.

ACRE has a Finance Lead in place and the Treasurer will provide strategic advice, constructive challenge and support to the Chief Executive, Finance lead and Board. You will also contribute more broadly as a Trustee, helping to oversee the delivery of ACRE’s strategy, support its charitable objectives, represent the interests of rural communities and act as an ambassador for the organisation.

The Board is looking for someone who can operate at both strategic and practical levels: someone who can chair a finance committee confidently, translate financial information for non-finance colleagues, and offer informed advice on specific issues when needed.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a qualified finance professional who can bring sound judgement, strategic financial insight and a genuine interest in the issues affecting rural communities.

You may have developed your experience in the commercial, public, charity or wider not-for-profit sectors. Previous charity governance experience would be helpful, whether as a trustee, non-executive or senior executive.

You will bring experience of providing strategic financial advice, supporting budget setting and financial planning, and engaging with audit and external audit providers. You will also be comfortable offering proportionate support and challenge to senior colleagues, including the Finance lead and Chief Executive.

You do not need to have worked in rural policy or community development before, but you will need to understand why rural communities matter and why ACRE’s mission is important.

The successful candidate will be able to think strategically, exercise independent judgement and work collaboratively as part of a board. They will be a constructive and respectful contributor, able to challenge in the right way and support a positive, thoughtful and collegiate board culture.

ACRE is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, traditions and ways of life.

Time commitment and location

The expected time commitment is about one day per month, though this will vary throughout the year. There may be slightly more around key points in the financial cycle, such as the budget and accounts.

The Board usually meets quarterly. The Board meets four times each year: two online and two in person as overnight meetings, usually starting on a Friday lunchtime and finishing on Saturday lunchtime.

The Treasurer will also chair the Finance Sub-Committee, which meets three times a year online and will join the Officers’ Group, which includes the Chair, two Vice Chairs and Chief Executive/Company Secretary. The Officers’ Group provides an additional source of advice to the Chief Executive between Board meetings and meets around Board planning and wider strategic matters.

The ACRE team is home-based. In-person meetings are held in different locations in central England.

This is a rewarding opportunity to support ACRE, strengthen its financial model, increase its resilience and deliver lasting positive change for rural communities across England.