Deputy Chair of Trustees

Who Are We?

Our mission is to advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment, in particular by educating the public about how to adopt an environmentally friendly lifestyle and improve their ability to reduce their negative impact on the environment.

The Role

Are you passionate about environmental education and community impact? Do you want to use your leadership skills to help shape a greener, more sustainable future?

We are seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative Deputy Chair of Trustees to support the leadership and governance of our charity. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key strategic role in a small but ambitious organisation dedicated to inspiring environmental awareness, learning, and action within our communities.

Working closely with the Chair of Trustees, Chief Executive Officer, fellow trustees, staff, and volunteers, the Deputy Chair will help ensure the charity remains well-governed, financially sustainable, and focused on delivering meaningful environmental education programmes and community initiatives.

As Deputy Chair, you will provide support, guidance, and shared leadership across the Board of Trustees. You will contribute to strategic planning, organisational development, financial oversight, fundraising support, and strong governance practices. In the Chair’s absence, you may lead meetings, support workstreams, and help guide decision-making.

The Deputy Chair will: 

• Support the Chairperson in leading the Board of Trustees and maintaining strong governance
• Contribute to the development and review of the charity’s strategy and business plans
• Help monitor organisational performance and delivery against agreed goals
• Support effective financial oversight alongside the Treasurer and Board
• Assist with the annual cycle of board meetings and implementation of decisions
• Encourage trustee development, training, and effective participation
• Support the recruitment, appraisal, and guidance of the Chief Executive Officer
• Help identify and manage risks to the charity’s reputation and sustainability
• Represent the charity at events and act as an ambassador for its work
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and respectful culture across the organisation

This is an opportunity to: 

• Help shape the future direction of an environmental education charity
• Use your professional skills to make a meaningful impact
• Work alongside passionate trustees, staff, and volunteers
• Support environmental learning, community engagement, and sustainability initiatives
• Gain valuable leadership and governance experience within the charity sector

To view the full job description for this role, please email volunteering@horsham.gov.uk and we will gladly send you a copy.

What skills do I need?

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who enjoys collaborative leadership and wants to contribute their expertise to a purpose-driven organisation making a positive environmental difference.

We are particularly interested in people with experience or knowledge in:

• Charity governance • HR or organisational development
• Legal or compliance matters
• Environmental or education sectors

Previous experience as a trustee, committee member, or chairperson would be welcomed, but equally important are enthusiasm, sound judgement, and a commitment to our mission and values.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board that reflects the communities we serve.