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SMART CJS Board of Trustees are a group of volunteers responsible for making sure the charity is running well and is doing what it was set up to do. They meet regularly with the CEO and other members of staff.
Sue is a business owner and an experienced Executive Search Specialist, Coach, and psychometric assessor. Outside of work Sue has a small property development company which has refurbished and built residential properties and volunteers for other charities based around homelessness and education as an Enterprise Advisor and Careers Mentor. Sue has worked as a consultant to the boards of multiple businesses which has given her insight into successful companies and how they operate. She brings this understanding of both business and people to her role of trustee and is committed to supporting the role of SMART in providing safe spaces for people experiencing homelessness.
Fergus’s involvement with Bedford’s homeless goes back decades to taking part in soup runs, in which he is still involved today. He also worked with the Prebend Street Day Centre (now Hub) and BeChar, a local charity which merged with SMART in 2017. In those roles the importance of his contribution was recognised by eventual appointment as a trustee and later deputy chair. His professional background is in construction engineering and waste regulation, which enables him to bring to SMART experience of organisational management, interpretation of regulations and dealing with public sector agencies.
Keara has extensive management experience with national charitable bodies. In those roles she developed skills in putting forward proposals to funding agencies which, once approved, she set up and subsequently saw through to completion. She currently runs a consultancy that manages projects in the not-for-profit sector as well as advising charitable and voluntary bodies on running their organisations efficiently and effectively. Her interest in SMART was sparked by her own lived experience of addiction and SMART’s person-centred vision in a field which she knows to be important.
Adrian has over 25 years’ experience working for housing associations, development companies and councils in various roles including tenancy, property and care management, as well as developing 4000 new homes.
He has a Degree in Housing Development and Management, a Diploma in People Management and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, Chartered Management Institute and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, where he held positions on the Regulatory Tribunal and Governing Council.
A single parent for many years, when not busy at work and home, Adrian enjoys photography, fishing, catching up with friends, eating out and travelling.
Being a charity trustee is a fulfilling and rewarding experience that can have a positive impact on both the organization you serve and your personal life. Here are some of the benefits of being a charity trustee:
Hours: Attendance at four board meetings a year. There is an expectation that trustees will wish to become actively involved in the charity which requires attendance at fundraising and other key events.
Salary: This is a voluntary role. In line with the Charity Commission regulations, no payment will be made for Trustee positions.
Location: Travel to Bedford for meetings and for key events.
How to apply
Download and read the information pack and complete the application form. Send your completed application and up to date CV (no more than 3 pages) by email to the Deputy CEO, Jen Robus at jen.robus@smartcjs.org.uk.
Board meetings (4 per year) and, in line with Charity Commission regulations, no payment is made.
In return we can offer you the following:
Rewarding work in a committed and passionate organisation.
The opportunity to learn new skills, gain different. experiences & develop your profession and personal life
Occasions to meet a diverse range of people and give back to the community and society.
There is an expectation that trustees will wish to become actively involved in the charity which sometimes requires attendance at fundraising and other key events.
Trustees will be appointed for an initial period of 3 years and eligible to serve for one further term of 3 years.
We are looking for people who have experience in at least ONE of the following areas:
Housing/social/affordable housing sectors
Fundraising, bid and/or grant application experience
Subject matter expertise in homelessness or rough sleeping
Networks and contacts e.g. business networks, academia, public sector organisations (Local Authorities, NHS) or voluntary sector organisations in Bedford or Milton Keynes