British Nutrition Foundation Trustee Recruitment

Closing date: Friday 24^th April 2026

 

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 two Trustees, we are seeking to recruit for two roles within Public Health (Practitioner or Academic) and Academic in Nutrition Science 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.

 

Applicants must be based in the UK and we will not be able to accept candidates based overseas. Trustees of UK charities must comply with UK charity law and company law. Trustees based overseas may find it more challenging to keep up with, or be legally accountable for these obligations. In addition:

• Practical governance requirements: Even with hybrid working, trustees are expected to attend a number of board meetings per year, attend Committee meetings, participate in in person strategy sessions or away days and be accessible at relatively short notice.
• The UK Charity Commission sets out expectations for “effective control”:  While international trustees are not prohibited by the Commission, it expects that charities maintain effective control by the board. For many charities like ours, ensuring this is more straightforward when trustees are UK based.
• Cost considerations: for travel and accommodation to attend in person meetings.
• Understanding of the UK operating environment:  BNF’s work is deeply embedded in UK nutrition policy, UK education systems, UK public health challenges, UK stakeholder networks and UK government and industry frameworks. We believe Trustees are  most effective when they have a strong instinctive grasp of the local context and can bring networks relevant to UK governance and strategy.

 

Role 1: Public Health (Practitioner or Academic)

 

In addition, for the public health specialist trustee we are seeking:

 

·        Significant senior-level experience in public health or closely related fields, such as serving as a Director (or equivalent), a senior academic in public health, or an expert in food policy or the government/civil service with advisory or strategic responsibilities.

·        Candidates should have an excellent understanding of current public health challenges, food-related ill health, and the influence of the food environment on health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable or underserved populations.

·        An ability to use knowledge of diverse stakeholder networks to advise the executive team.

·        An ability to be an advocate for the work of the Foundation in public health networks and from time to time, support or advise on matters of public policy, public affairs and/or communications activity.

·        Able to guide the staff team on how developments in nutrition and food policy impact public health.

 

Role 2: Academic in Nutrition Science

 

In addition, the specific skills required for this role are:

 

·        A deep understanding of current and emerging issues across nutrition science and the role of independent scientific evidence in public communications and policy engagement.

·        An ability to provide rigorous scientific scrutiny and uphold the Foundation's commitment to robust, impartial, evidence-based communication, while guiding the staff team on how nutrition science research is evolving.

·        Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to provide strategic guidance on education, research, and policy influence, and uphold the Foundation’s reputation for strong scientific scrutiny.

·        Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex science for trustees and executive leaders, policymakers and senior stakeholders.

·        Able to be an advocate for the work of the Foundation and from time to time, support or advise on public affairs and/or communications activity.

·        Desirable: Demonstrated expertise in sustainable diets and planetary health, with the ability to advise on the implications of environmental sustainability, food systems transformation, and climate‑related challenges for nutritional guidance, public health messaging, and food policy.

 

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.

 

Trustees may serve on one of the charity’s two sub-Committees which meet up to four times per year (remotely) according to the Committee workplan, or to join task and finish groups on specific issues. However, Committee membership is not mandatory. 

 

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.