Chair of Trustees – Mary Frances Trust

Location: Surrey/Hybrid

Time commitment: : Approx. 1–2 days per month

Remuneration: Voluntary role (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Term: Three-year term, with potential for reappointment for up to two further terms.

We are open to reasonable adjustments and flexible approaches to the role.

Deadline: 25 August 2026.

About Mary Frances Trust

Mary Frances Trust (MFT) is a mental health and emotional wellbeing charity that works alongside people experiencing any kind of emotional or mental health issues, supporting them for as long as needed to restore and maintain their wellbeing. We provide a range of community-based services, co-produced with people with lived experience of mental health issues. We work closely with partners across the health sector (including NHS), local authority and the voluntary sector.

We believe that anyone experiencing mental or emotional health issues should feel confident to ask for help and receive appropriate support for as long as needed, to live a fulfilling life.

Our values are: Inspiring, Inclusive, Agile and Respectful.

We are a charitable company limited by guarantee with a Board of Trustees responsible for our overall governance, strategy and compliance.

Board culture: Our Board is friendly, established and committed, working collaboratively to provide strong governance and support MFT’s mission.

Please note, Mary Frances Trust reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

The Role

We’re seeking a Chair of Trustees to provide leadership to the Board as MFT embarks on its next phase of growth and development. This is an exciting strategic role offering the opportunity to drive meaningful change and shape the future of our organisation. You will work closely with a committed team of Trustees, staff and volunteers to set direction, provide governance and ensure MFT continues to deliver real impact for the Surrey community.

The Chair will:

Lead the Board and support the organisation to fulfil its charitable purpose.

Ensure effective working relationships between the Board and staff, volunteers, the Advisory Group, Members and key external stakeholders.

Act as spokesperson and figurehead for the charity where appropriate.

Supervise and support the Chief Executive, including an annual performance review.

Plan and prepare Board meetings and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) with the Chief Executive and other staff members as appropriate.

Chair Board meetings effectively ensuring balanced discussion, clear decisions and actions are assigned and followed through.

Lead regular reviews of Board effectiveness and support good succession planning for the Chair role.

Work closely with the Chief Executive and fellow Trustees to ensure MFT meets its legal, regulatory and constitutional duties while staying true to its vision and values.

Person Specification

In addition to the skills and experience required of all MFT Trustees, the Chair will bring:

Strong governance and leadership capability.

The ability to chair meetings well and enable inclusive, balanced discussion and clear decisions.

Sound judgement, and the ability to support and constructively challenge the Chief Executive.

Tact, diplomacy and strong interpersonal skills.

Understanding of the mental health and wellbeing sector and/or the wider voluntary sector context.

The time and capacity to commit to around 1–2 days per month.

Commitment to MFT’s values and to improving mental health and wellbeing in the Surrey community.

Previous experience as a Chair or Vice Chair (in a charity, public, or non-profit setting) is desirable, but we also welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate strong governance and leadership experience and the ability to step into this role.

Additional experience that would strengthen the Board (desirable):

HR / people governance experience.

Capacity to support Board‑level oversight of complaints or appeals (staff or client related) where matters are escalated.

Experience of Co‑production, lived‑experience‑led work, or collaborative approaches to service design and governance.

Lived experience of mental health issues and/or caring experience (we value lived experience alongside governance and leadership skills).

Download our Chair of Trustees Pack here.

Time Commitment

The Chair is expected to commit approximately around 1–2 days per month.

These include:

Preparing for and chairing approximately six Board meetings a year.

Attending the Annual General Meeting (in the autumn).

Regular meetings with the Chief Executive.

Occasional representation at external meetings and events.

Eligibility

You must be eligible to serve as a Charity Trustee and Company Director under UK law and be willing to complete the necessary eligibility and declaration checks.

All successful candidates will be required to undertake Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks as well as reference checks. These will be a condition of any offer of volunteering post being made.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of mental health issues.

How to apply

Please send:

Your CV

A covering letter outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the person specification.

To: Kerry Winteridge at: kerry@maryfrancestrust.org.uk

We welcome applications from people under‑represented in charity governance (including disabled people, people from minoritised ethnic communities, and people with lived experience of mental health challenges).

For an informal, confidential conversation about the role, please contact Sam Greenhouse, current Chair of Trustees at: sam@maryfrancestrust.org.uk