Treasurer - The Hardman Trust

Who we are

The Hardman Trust (www.hardmantrust.org.uk) helps people serving long sentences in England, Wales, and Scotland get their lives back on track.

Every year, we give over a hundred “Hardman Awards” each of up to £1,000 to people serving their sentences in open prison conditions and also to female prisoners in closed conditions. To obtain such an Award, the recipient will have demonstrated considerable progress during their time in prison and will have emerging plans for their future out of prison.

The role

Our existing Treasurer reaches the end of his second 3-year term in June 2023. We would be pleased to hear from anyone who meets the criteria below and interested in being considered for such a position, ideally with a handover period from April (the existing Treasurer’s last Board meeting) and the end of June when he will formally step down.

Criteria for all Trustees

· Ability to work effectively as a member of a team

· Commitment to the organisation

· Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort, including availability to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis

· Strategic vision

· Good, independent judgement

· Ability to think creatively

· Willingness to speak their mind

· Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of a Trustee

Additional criteria for Treasurer

· Financial qualifications (ideal but not essential)

· Some experience of charity finance– ability to read and make sense of the accounts

· The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences

· Preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the board

· See also ‘Role responsibilities’ in the attached Appendix

Time commitment:

The approximate time commitment of a Trustee are as follows:

· We hold four Board meetings per year, usually in central London but currently alternating between face-to-face and virtual online ‘Google Meetings’. Each meeting lasts around 2-3 hours. Advance reading of Board papers is expected.

· One half-day ‘Strategy’ event per year. Advance reading of any papers is expected.

· Reasonable travel expenses for attending in-person meetings will be reimbursed on request.

Additional time commitments of the Treasurer are (estimated equivalent of four days per annum)

· Preparation of monthly management information and quarterly board reports.

· Presentation (usually for 20-30 minutes) of financial updates at each of the quarterly Board meetings.

· Oversight of completion of annual accounts.

· Weekly payment authorisation.

In addition, any Trustee (including the Treasurer) may wish to become involved with other Trust activities

Treasurer – Role responsibilities

· Maintain an overview of the charity’s affairs ensuring its financial viability

· Advise on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic plans

· Prepare and present a financial report to the board at its quarterly Board meetings

· Prepare annual budgets for Board approval

· Make a formal presentation of the accounts at the AGM each October and draw attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way

· Ensure that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place

· Liaise with the Chair of the Trust and with the Bookkeeper, about financial matters as and when required

· Ensure that the charity has an appropriate reserves policy

· Ensure that the charity has an appropriate investment policy

· Ensure that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of the charity

· Ensure the Trust’s compliance with legislation and that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies, e.g. The Charity Commission

· Ensure that the accounts are scrutinised in the manner required (independent examination or audit) and any recommendations are implemented

· Keep the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities

· Act as second signatory for Trust payments (physical and online)

Act as Chair of the Finance and Remuneration Sub-Committees