Chair of Board of Trustees at Catalyst Stockton on Tees Ltd

Role Type: Trustee

Application deadline: Thursday, April 30, 2026 - 00:00

Salary: £

Role description: Chair

About Catalyst

Catalyst is a forward thinking and contemporary strategic infrastructure organisation, facilitating leadership for the voluntary, community & social enterprise sector (VCSE) in Stockton-on-Tees.

Our vision is to be the best practice infrastructure organisation in a strong, healthy VCSE sector. We have a vision of a coherent and single sector, working together in partnership with public bodies and private businesses as well as VCSE organisations to deliver services to the communities in the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees and the Tees Valley.

Our Values

Connecting and Collaborating
Ethical and Trustworthy
Empowering Leadership
People-focused and Inclusive
Proactive and Resilient

The Opportunity

Catalyst is seeking an exceptional individual to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

This is an exciting opportunity to provide strategic leadership to a committed Board and to work in close partnership with the Chief Executive to guide Catalyst through its next phase of development.

The Chair plays a pivotal role in ensuring:

Strong governance and regulatory compliance
Clear strategic direction
Financial sustainability
Effective Board performance and culture
Constructive support and challenge to the Executive team

Role of the Chair

The Chair is responsible for leading the Board of Trustees and ensuring that it operates effectively, in line with charity law and best practice governance standards.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Board Leadership

Chairing Board meetings effectively and inclusively
Setting agendas in partnership with the Chief Executive
Ensuring trustees receive accurate and timely information
Promoting a culture of openness, respect and constructive challenge

2. Strategic Oversight

Ensuring clarity of mission, vision and values
Overseeing development and delivery of the strategic plan
Monitoring organisational performance and impact

3. Governance and Compliance

Ensuring compliance with charity law and regulatory requirements
Overseeing risk management and safeguarding frameworks
Supporting trustee recruitment, induction and development

4. Relationship with the Chief Executive

Acting as line manager and critical friend to the CEO
Supporting performance appraisal and succession planning
Serving as a sounding board and ambassador

5. External Representation

Representing Catalyst at key stakeholder events
Supporting fundraising and partnership development where appropriate
Acting as an ambassador for Catalyst’s mission and values

Person Specification

We are seeking a Chair who brings:

Essential

Previous Board-level experience (Trustee, Chair or Non-Executive Director)
Strong understanding of governance and strategic oversight
Ability to provide supportive but robust challenge
Excellent communication and facilitation skills
Commitment to Catalyst’s mission and values
Integrity, sound judgement and independence of thought

Desirable

Experience in the charity or voluntary sector
Experience leading organisational growth or change
Fundraising or stakeholder engagement experience
Financial literacy sufficient for Board-level oversight
Experience promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at governance level

Time Commitment

The expected commitment is approximately:

4–6 Board meetings per year
Committee meetings as required
Regular monthly meetings with the Chief Executive
Occasional events and stakeholder engagements

The role is voluntary, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

Term of Appointment

The Chair will serve an initial term of three years, renewable in line with Catalyst’s governing document.