Are you our new Chair for TransWilts CIC, the non-profit social enterprise for community, environment and transport in Wiltshire & Berkshire?

Do you have skills and enthusiasm to cooperatively govern and help us bring our growth strategy into action? If so, you could be the next Chair of our community rail social enterprise that connects and educates communities.

TransWilts (potentially changing our name to reflect our growth) is the Community Rail Partnership currently based in Wiltshire, and expanding into Berkshire, that is looking for a new Chair of our Board.

We’re a Community Interest Company, a not-for-personal-profit organisation, with a mission to maintain sustainable and environmentally-important connections between local communities. 

About our Board and our expectations

Our Directors are a collective body, with everyone equally responsible for all aspects of governance of our organisation. 

As our Chair, you will work closely with our other Directors to lead meetings and provide direction to our Board.

The role is strategic in representing our  vision and purpose, ensuring the Board and all its meetings functions properly, are inclusive and participatory, and that effective decisions are made that benefit the wider community. We work closely with Great Western Rail, Local Authorities and the Department for Transport, but we are independent and community-focused. “Community Rail is about 90% community and 10% rail.” 

More about TransWilts https://transwilts.org/

Companies House information about us https://find–and–update.companyinformation.service.gov.uk/company/09397959  

About the role

This is a high-profile appointment, for someone with strong commitment to the value of environmentally-focused local transport connections, plus an understanding of the potential of sustainable community rail.

Our Directors are the people who make the top-level decisions for our organisation. Our Board includes people with experience in community rail, and we’d expect our new Chair to have empathy with our cause. 

You don’t necessarily need prior experience of rail, but skills in Chairing meetings will be important. Some experience of committee or similar work, and a strong focus to cooperatively work with and shape the forward-looking Board are also useful qualities we are looking for.

Full induction to our organisation will be provided, plus specialist support as a new non-profit Director, including access to external training as needed. 

We are a not-for-personal-profit organisation, and we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for fresh expertise and experience from a variety of backgrounds to our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups. 

The Board meets quarterly face-to-face at Westbury Station, although this meeting location may be varied as part of our expansion into Berkshire.

You will need to dedicate an average of 5 hours per month including preparation for and attendance at Board meetings; some duties may be carried out online. This is a voluntary role and reasonable travel expenses may be claimed.

What do you get as a Director of our organisation? 

• A chance to use your leadership and chairing skills, possibly in a different context
• New skills and expansion of your experience with connected communities
• An understanding of the importance of support for those communities and the environment
• An opportunity to volunteer alongside other committed Directors
• The personal reward of giving back to the community
• Boost to your career or CV, if needed
• Induction, training, support from our organisation and from other support organisations

What do we get?

• Your leadership skills coupled to your strategic vision
• Your cooperative communication skills
• Effective Board meetings leading to our organisation’s further development
• Enhancement to our overall governance and to our Board
• Your participation in our collective decision-making, contributing to all areas of our work Your enthusiasm

What do our beneficiaries get

• The ability to continue our support to the communities of Wiltshire and Berkshire
• A well-governed organisation, sustainable for the future
• A forward-looking and agile organisation, with a well-informed Board

How to apply

This high-profile appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, a nonprofit support organisation, who offer you a no-obligation discussion at your convenience.

A detailed Role Description and Person Specification can be made available to you upon request.

Our Director appointments are subject to satisfactory references.

Your CV and supporting statement will be read by our existing Directors and an interview can be offered as soon as mutually convenient. 

I need to know more 

Contact Mike Allen intrusted@involve.community for more information and arrange to have a no obligation initial informal discussion (Teams/Zoom/phone) and explanation about this important role and about the application process.