Chair and Vice Chair
The Norfolk Wherry Trust is looking to appoint a new Chair and Vice Chair to lead the work of the Trustees. These will be honorary appointments without remuneration. The Trust relies entirely on volunteers who are all required to be Members of the Trust. Wherry Albion and the Trust’s Base in Ludham are the main physical assets of the Trust but both require co-ordination of finances, investments and people to ensure both the short and long term sustainability of the Trust and the furtherance of its primary aims.
The Trust was formed in 1949 and became a Company Limited by Guarantee in 2001. The main reason for the existence of Norfolk Wherry Trust is to promote Albion and maintain her as one of the most well-known icons of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads. Information about the Trust and its activities are available on the Trust’s website https://wherryalbion.com
Job description for the Chair – from CEF (Charity Excellence Framework):
- Lead the board to ensure its effectiveness in.
- Setting and implementing the charity’s culture, direction, and strategy.
- Approving the annual operations (business) plan, budget and risk management plan and.
- Monitoring these to ensure delivery.
- Focus the board on strategic matters, prioritising long-term goals and planning.
- Maintain high standards of governance, fostering transparency and ensuring the charity holds itself accountable to its stakeholders.
- Ensure trustee awareness and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including.
- The requirements in their constitution and.
- The Charity Commission guidance on trustee roles and responsibilities.
- Ensure that the trustee board annually reviews its structure, effectiveness, delegations and key policies, and implements agreed changes as necessary.
- Liaising with the Secretary to arrange meetings and set agendas and chairing meetings to ensure these are well run and focussed on delivering the charity’s work.
- Act as a representative and spokesperson for the charity.
- Manage trustee relationships to foster a positive board culture, including.
- Ensuring the Board has the policies it needs.
- Leading on the appraisal and development of trustees and.
- Encouraging them to support the charity’s fundraising efforts.
There are four Main Committee meetings each year and the AGM in July with other committees meeting prior to the quarterly meeting and on an ad-hoc basis as necessary. A significant proportion of meetings which the Chair would be expected to chair or attend are held “virtually” particularly during the winter months. Nevertheless, the Chair is expected to visit our Ludham Base on a regular basis throughout the year – Thursday mornings are the main regular volunteer meeting time.
Expressions of interest as Chair or Vice Chair are invited from the current Committee (Trustees), Members and from anyone with an interest in historic sailing vessels and sympathy with the aims of the Trust. Please make contact in the first instance by an email to the out-going Chair Martin Hills using the form below before 30th June 2026.