British Nutrition Foundation Trustee Recruitment

Closing date: Monday 14^th July 2025

The British Nutrition Foundation is a UK charity committed to evidence-based nutrition science.

Having reviewed and refreshed our Strategy in the last two years, we have recently restated our Purpose to place greater emphasis on public health.

Today, our purpose is promoting health and wellbeing and preventing diet-related ill health through evidence-based nutrition science, and we hope to be a bridge between nutrition science, government, industry, education and people, and a conduit to a healthier, more sustainable food environment for all.

With the retirement of our Treasurer, Desiree Irving Brown, we are seeking to recruit a new financially qualified Trustee to help take forward the work of the Foundation. Trustee roles are unpaid but reasonable expenses are reimbursed. 

Person specifications

All Trustees of the British Nutrition Foundation must be able to develop a thorough understanding of the charity’s core purpose, the issues it faces over the coming years and the strategy for ensuring our continued development and success, and have an understanding of, commitment to and enthusiasm for nutrition and sustainable food.

All act independently and do not in any way represent their organisations.

Treasurer / Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk Committee

The specific responsibilities of the Treasurer/Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee are to:

• Monitor the overarching strategic management of the organisation’s financial resources, and report this to the Chair and the board. Advise on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plans.
• Oversee the monitoring of the Foundation’s finances on behalf of the Board of Trustees, and report regularly on the finances to the Board
• Ensure proper systems are in place for budgeting, financial control and reporting, and for regular assessment of the strategic and operational risks facing the charity
• Ensuring accounts and other financial reports are produced in the proper form and on time as required by other bodies (such as the Charity Commission and Companies House);
• Overseeing the appointment and communications with auditors according to legal requirements
• Oversee the charity’s financial risk-management process (including the risk of fraud) and report financial health to the board of trustees at regular intervals.
• Develop a reserves policy and on an annual basis, review the Foundation’s position as a going concern.
• Develop the charity’s investment policy ensuring it aligns with the charity’s objects, ethical considerations and risk appetite.
• Chair the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee in line with its terms of reference and report findings/developments back to the Board.

In addition, the specific skills required are:

• Strategic thinking. Able to ensure the Foundation has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focussed on achieving its charitable aims
• Knowledge and experience of the UK charity ecosystem at a national or local level
• Able to take a 3 -5-year view of the issues and opportunities facing the British Nutrition Foundation and get above the day to day
• Able to act as a sounding board for the Board and senior leadership team of the Foundation (Chief Executive and direct reports) and to advise on strategic issues from time to time, as needed
• Able to understand and take on the financial and legal responsibilities of Trustees, and
• A demonstrable commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Specific skills and experience required:

• Qualified accountant
• Experience or knowledge of non-profit strategic and financial management challenges.
• Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders
• Analytical and evaluation skills, demonstrating good judgement
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship, and the Treasurer role in particular
• Good communication and leadership skills.

Time commitment

The Board meets four times a year, including a Strategy Day preceded by a Board Dinner. Two meetings per year are face-to-face in London and two are via Teams.

In addition, the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee meets 4 or 5 times per year. All Committee meetings are online. In addition, the Treasurer/Chair of the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee, with the Chair of the Board of Trustees, meets with the auditors annually ahead of finalising the Foundation’s annual statutory accounts.

From time to time, Trustees may be asked to meet the wider employee team and to share their insights or expertise, as well as provide ad hoc support to staff members.

Trustees are also invited to attend the Foundation’s Annual Conference (usually held in London in November) which presents an important opportunity for Trustees to meet wider stakeholders and corporate members.

For further information about these roles, or to speak to the foundation's Chief Executive, please contact Emma Rowley at e.rowley@nutrition.org.uk.

Please also complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and send it along with your CV and supporting statement.

Our approach to diversity is simple —it’s about embracing everyone, and everyone is welcome at the British Nutrition Foundation. We are committed to welcoming all applicants with the right skills, regardless of gender identity, orientation or expression, age, race, physical or mental ability, neuro diversity, ethnicity, social background and perspective. Diversity fuels innovation, brings diversity of thought, and connects us more closely to the organisations and people we work with.  If you need any specific arrangements to be made or considerations to be taken during our recruitment and selection process to enable you to perform at your best, please let us know in your covering letter.