RECRUITMENT PACK TRUSTEE WITH PROPERTY EXPERTISE February 2016 Dear Colleague Thank you for your interest in the role of trustee of The Marr-Munning Trust. Over the past 2 years we have enhanced our Board of Trustees by recruiting practitioners in international development and a new Treasurer from the banking sector. We are now looking for someone to join our Board who has experience of property management or property as an investment class or of property development - for example a surveyor, residential lettings senior manager or investment manager specialising in property. In this document you will find: A background note on the Trust; The Trustee Role Description and Person Specification; Details of how to apply. We are particularly keen to achieve a more diverse board of trustees and we welcome applications from people with the relevant attributes from all sections of the community. If you would like to discuss the position please contact the Trust s Director, James Fitzpatrick on: Tel: 020 8998 7747 Email: james.fitzpatrick@marrmunningtrust.org.uk Further information about the Trust and its work can be found online at: www.marrmunningtrust.org.uk The deadline for us to receive your application is 31st March 2016 but you are welcome to submit your application before then. Best wishes, Glen Barnham Chair Board of Trustees
The Marr-Munning Trust Recruitment of Trustee with Property Expertise 2016 1. Background: The Marr-Munning Trust is a grantmaking charity based in West London that exists to reduce poverty and its impact in some of the poorest places in the developing world. We make grants totalling 300,000 a year to charities/ngos - currently focussing our support on the education of children and livelihoods training for adults. Most of our income comes from residential property that we own. We are not a housing charity or social landlord. Our property is simply an asset class and we are looking for a new trustee who will help us to maximize our longterm return from it. Our property mainly consists of flats let on assured shorthold tenancies in the private rented sector in West London. The day-to-day management of these properties is managed for us by an agent under a service level agreement. We also have a set of properties around England which are let on long leaseholds. Our property portfolio is currently valued at 15m. As well as continuing to hold a residential property portfolio for the foreseeable future we are also looking at the possibility of disposing of some of our property (particularly less profitable properties) to achieve a better balance in our investments. We are now looking for someone to join our Board who has experience of property management or property as an investment class or property development - for example a surveyor, residential lettings senior manager or investment manager specialising in property. We need someone who can help also us to achieve our mission and ensure that the organisation is effectively managed. We need someone who is able to make a commitment to the Trust and devote the necessary time to the role - as well as have strategic vision and independent judgement. We are keen to maintain a diverse board of trustees and we welcome applications from people with the relevant attributes from all sections of the community. This document sets out the general skills and responsibilities required of new trustees as well as the specific attributes we are looking for in relation to property matters. 2. Structure and Governance: The charity was established in 1970 by Frank Harcourt-Munning for the relief of poverty, suffering and distress overseas. He placed everything he had into the Trust, including his own home and all his other properties and spare cash, and he then spent the remaining years of his life running the Trust until his death in 1985. The Trust a charitable company is overseen by a Board of 8 trustees who are responsible for the strategic direction of the charity. The Trust has a small staff team and day-to-day management of the charity is the responsibility of the Director. The trustee appointed under this recruitment process will become a trustee and company director. 3. Trustee / Director Responsibilities: As a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, trustees/directors will have responsibilities under Charity and Company law. These include: (a) To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations;
(b) To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document; (c) To ensure the organisation uses its resources exclusively in pursuit of its charitable objects; (d) To contribute actively to the board of trustees role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets; (e) To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation; (f) To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation; (g) To ensure the financial stability of the organisation; (h) To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity s funds; (i) To appoint the Director and monitor his/her performance. 4. Role of Trustee: The full role description for our trustees is attached. In summary, the role requires trustees: (a) To prepare for and attend Board meetings and any sub-committee or working groups as required. (b) To play an active role in the business of the Trust, communicating with other trustees, staff and other organisations as required. (c) To contribute to the establishment of the priorities and strategic objectives of the Trust. (d) To contribute to the financial and operational stability of the Trust. (e) To ensure the resources of the Trust are harnessed to best effect including the proper investment of the Trust s funds. (f) To be accountable to the Charity Commission, Companies House and other regulators. (g) To attend the Trust s events as required. (h) To represent the Trust at events and meetings as required. (i) To assist in promoting the Trust and its work. 5. Required Skills, Qualities & Experience: We are now looking for people with the following specific attributes: (a) Commitment to the aims and values of the Trust. (b) Understanding of the concept of governance. (c) Experience of sitting on committees/attending and contributing to meetings. (d) Good team working skills. (e) Good communication skills. (f) Commitment to the Nolan Principles for public life particularly impartiality, integrity and objectivity. (g) Experience in handling confidential information. (h) Commitment to attending and contributing to Board meetings. (i) Willingness to undertake induction and training offered to Board members. (j) Awareness and understanding of equal opportunities issues. (k) Property Matters: experience or expertise in property management or property as an investment class or property development. 6. Time Commitment: Board meetings are held once every two months in Ealing, West London. In addition there are 1 2 training or review days each year. There are also some duties (such as reading Board papers) which occur between meetings. Trustees may also be asked to take on additional responsibilities associated with particular aspects of the Trust s governance. The total amount of time required is equivalent to 1 day per month.
7. Co-opted Adviser to the Board: We recognise that some people with the skills we are looking for may not want to take on all the responsibilities of being a trustee particularly the time commitment associated with the other activities of the Trust (such as grantmaking). We are therefore interested in hearing from people with property-related expertise but who would prefer to play a more limited role as unpaid advisor to the Board of Trustees on property matters. The co-optee would attend the quarterly routine Board meetings as well as liaising with the Director outside these meetings. We anticipate the total time commitment involved in such a role to be the equivalent of a few hours each month. 8. Term of Office: Trustees are asked to commit to a term of office of a minimum of three years. Trustees can serve for a maximum of 5 years. 9. Expenses: The position of trustee or co-optee is unpaid. Trustees or co-optees will be entitled to claim for expenses connected with their duties on behalf of the Charity where such expenses have been approved in advance by the Chair or the Board of trustees. Expenses will be paid on the basis of proof of expenditure being provided. 10. Application Process: If you would like to apply to join us please email a copy of your CV and a covering letter (including contact details for 2 referees) explaining how you fulfil the requirements set out in Section 5 above - in particular, summarising your property-related expertise - and stating why you would like to join our charity. Please indicate whether you are applying to become a trustee or to be co-opted to advise the board without becoming a trustee. Please email your application to: Email: james.fitzpatrick@marrmunningtrust.org.uk The deadline for us to receive completed applications is 31 March 2016 but you are welcome to apply before then. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview to take place at the Trust s office in Ealing on 21st April 2016 and may be invited to attend our Board of Trustees meeting on 27th April 2016 as an observer. 11. More information: If you would like to discuss the position please contact the Trust s Director: James Fitzpatrick Director Tel: 020 8998 7747 Email: james.fitzpatrick@marrmunningtrust.org.uk Further information about the Trust and its work can be found online at: www.marrmunningtrust.org.uk The Marr-Munning Trust is a charity and company registered in England and Wales (Charity No: 1153007 Company No: 08561488)
Marr-Munning Trust Trustees role description: The duties of The Marr-Munning Trust s trustees are: 1. To ensure that the Trust complies with its governing document, company and charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations; 2. To ensure the Trust applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects; 3. To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the Trust, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets; 4. To protect and ensure the proper management of MMT s property portfolio and any other assets, and to ensure the proper investment of the Trust s funds; 5. To safeguard the good name and values of the Trust; 6. To represent the Trust at functions and meetings as appropriate; 7. To declare any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a trustee; 8. To be collectively responsible for the actions of the Trust; 9. To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Trust; 10. To ensure the financial stability of the Trust; 11. To make sure the Trust is properly insured against all reasonable liabilities; 12. To appoint and support the Director and monitor her/his performance; 13. In addition to the above statutory duties of all trustees, each trustee should use any specific knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This will involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, and providing advice and guidance requested by the Board on new initiatives, or other issues relevant to the Trust's work in which the trustee has special expertise; 14. To attend meetings, and to read papers in advance of meetings; 15. To attend sub-committee meetings as appropriate; 16. To participate in other tasks as arise from time to time, such as interviewing new staff or trustees, mentoring new trustees, helping with beneficiary liaison and monitoring etc; 17. To keep informed about the activities of the Trust and wider issues which affect its work. Trustee person specification: 1. Eligible to serve as a trustee; 2. An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship; 3. A commitment to the Trust and willingness to devote the necessary time and effort; 4. Strategic perspective; 5. Good communication and interpersonal skills; 6. Good, independent judgement; 7. An ability to think creatively; 8. A willingness to speak his or her mind; 9. An ability to work effectively as a member of a team; 10. Adherence to Nolan s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.