Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk committee and three Trustee roles

Organisation: Galapagos Conservation Trust
Location: London, meetings are currently virtual
Specific Location: Galapagos Conservation Trust, 7-14 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4YR
Employment Type: Voluntary 
Remuneration: Unremunerated with reasonable expenses
Closing date: 24/01/2022

Join the board of the only charity in the UK working solely for the conservation of the Galapagos Islands through restoring habitats, protecting species and driving sustainable solutions.

As the inspiration for Darwin’s theory of evolution, the Galapagos Islands are truly awe-inspiring, home to an incredible array of species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The Galapagos Islands are one of the most unique and ecologically important but vulnerable areas in the world. They are also under threat from the effects of climate change and increasing human presence.

Galapagos Conservation Trust is the only UK charity to focus exclusively on the conservation and sustainability of the Islands. We raise funds and awareness in the UK to support and deliver conservation projects in Galapagos focusing on restoring natural habitats, conserving threatened species, and driving sustainable solutions. We work with a wide range of delivery partners, both in Galapagos and the UK, and, raising just over £1 million in income, we punch well above our weight and are ambitious to continue our growth and impact.

We partner with Ecuadorian authorities, NGOs, local communities, and leading researchers both in Galapagos and the UK to support impactful science and conservation programmes and deliver education and community outreach across the Archipelago. Our flagship projects include making the Galapagos plastic pollution free once again, because, even as one of the most pristine ecosystems in the world, the Galapagos is not exempt from this destructive issue. Our Plastic Pollution Free Galapagos programme is a multi-million, multi-year project which feeds into the broader work tackling pollution across the Eastern Pacific region.

Given the impact of climate change in our world and following the global pandemic we are needed more than ever to ensure the protection and conservation of the Galapagos and all the endangered species found on Darwin’s enchanted isles. Our current strategy has three main pillars to drive our growth, invest in our organisation and develop our communications so we can continue to amplify our voice and impact to provide more sustainable solutions for the future. We are growing and although we are a small organisation, we are well respected and highly regarded as a knowledgeable and trusted voice on climate change, sustainability, conservation, and everything we do with ensuring the protection of Galapagos.

In 2022, we will be planning our next three-year strategy, where we want to build on our growth and impact. As an ambitious and passionate team we are looking for four new Trustees who will support us to build a new innovative and strategic plan for the coming years.

After serving the maximum three terms, both Jonathan Lea and Michael Drake will come to the end of their terms in summer 2022.
With this in mind, we are looking for two new Trustees as their replacements:

• A new Chair of our Finance, Audit and Risk committee. This person will be a passionate strategic finance professional with an understanding of the charity sector.
• A Trustee with legal expertise. We are looking for a Trustee who can apply legal critical thinking in their role on our Board and help support the team with ad hoc legal queries.

We are also looking for two additional Trustees who are passionate about tackling climate change and halting the devastation of wildlife in Galapagos and who share our vision and ambitious mission. The successful applicants should bring a broad range of skills and experience, including but not limited to:

• Expertise and knowledge of climate change, the environment and sustainability;
• A connection to Ecuador;
• Knowledge of conservation projects, programmes and operating overseas;
• Digital expertise including website development and fundraising; and
• Strategic thinking combined with an ability to challenge, support and advise.

The Board meets four times a year (currently virtually) and we have three sub committees which usually meet four times a year; Finance, Audit and Risk, Programmes and Grants, and Fundraising and Communications. We also have a Nominations and Recruitment committee that meets less frequently. We have an annual strategy away day and our Trustees can attend our other events a number of times throughout the year. We expect the time commitment to be up to a day a month and this is inclusive of preparation for meetings, reading board papers, communication with staff and Trustees and attendance at events.
This is an opportunity to lead an organisation through an exciting period of growth and to impact and transform our world and lives for the future.

Closing date: Monday 24th January 2022

Please click ‘Apply’ to be directed to the Peridot Partners website and to contact the advising consultants to discuss this role in more detail.