Chair of Trustees for Anti-Bullying Charity
An opportunity to lead an award-winning, respected charity at a defining moment in its journey. With a strong track record of empowering children, young people, and adults affected by bullying behaviour, BulliesOut is entering an exciting new phase - building on its established success while shaping a refreshed vision that responds to today’s challenges and opportunities, all while remaining true to its core values and mission.
BulliesOut is a multi award-winning charity dedicated to creating safer, kinder environments where children, young people, and adults can thrive free from bullying behaviour. Through education, training, mentoring, and support services, we empower individuals, schools, workplaces, and communities to recognise, prevent, and respond to bullying behaviour in all its forms. Our vision is a society where respect, inclusion, and kindness are the norm, enabling everyone to reach their full potential.
Experience and Charity Governance
As BulliesOut continues to grow and evolve, we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to bring their strategic insight, governance expertise, and collaborative approach to the role of Chair. Previous trustee experience and a strong understanding of charity governance are essential.
Main duties for the Chair
Working closely with the Chief Executive, you will provide leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring effective governance, strategic direction, and sound decision-making. You will champion the charity’s mission, support organisational development, and help shape policies and priorities that enable BulliesOut to maximise its impact and deliver meaningful change for those affected by bullying behaviour.
Key responsibilities of the Chair include:
- Providing constructive support and appropriate challenge to the Chief Executive, acting as a trusted sounding board while always prioritising the best interests of BulliesOut.
- Working closely with the Chief Executive and Board to develop meeting agendas and ensure trustees receive timely, relevant information to support effective decision-making.
- Chairing Board meetings to ensure discussions are focused, inclusive, and lead to clear actions and outcomes.
- Leading the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities, ensuring that decisions are implemented and that the charity operates in line with its legal and regulatory obligations.
- Promoting effective Board succession planning, trustee recruitment, induction, and ongoing development to maintain a diverse and skilled Board.
- Overseeing regular reviews of Board effectiveness and supporting a culture of continuous improvement.
- Leading the annual appraisal and performance review of the Chief Executive, providing guidance, support, and accountability while recognising the unique demands of being the charity’s sole employee.
What are we looking for?
We are seeking an individual who believes deeply in BulliesOut’s mission and is committed to creating a world where everyone can live, learn, and work free from bullying. You will bring a collaborative and compassionate leadership style, alongside proven experience of governance, strategic thinking, and organisational oversight. Your approach will be guided by the Principles of Public Life (the Nolan Principles): selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.
As Chair, you will champion the charity’s values and inspire confidence across the Board, staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters. You will be an effective communicator with the ability to build consensus, provide constructive challenge, and foster a positive and inclusive culture. Most importantly, you will have a genuine desire to make a lasting difference to the lives of those affected by bullying behaviour.
The Chair will also play a key role in ensuring that trustees are engaged, well informed, and able to make meaningful contributions to the charity’s governance and strategic direction.
In addition, the Chair will:
- Encourage trustees to engage with BulliesOut’s work wherever possible, including attending events, training sessions, campaigns, or other activities that provide insight into the charity’s impact and the communities it serves.
- Ensure that the Board regularly reviews the principal risks facing the charity and that appropriate systems and controls are in place to identify, manage, and mitigate those risks.
- Promote high standards of governance, accountability, and ethical decision-making, ensuring that BulliesOut continues to operate effectively and in the best interests of its beneficiaries.
BulliesOut is seeking a Chair with previous experience as a charity trustee, non-executive director, or in a senior leadership role, who combines strategic insight with an inclusive, collaborative, and values-driven approach to leadership.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- The ability to build and maintain a trusted, supportive, and constructive working relationship with the Chief Executive.
- A commitment to fostering an engaged, inclusive, and high-performing Board culture where trustees can contribute effectively.
- The confidence and enthusiasm to act as an ambassador for BulliesOut, championing its mission through personal and professional networks.
- Responsiveness and sound judgement. As a small charity with a lean team, there may be occasions when timely guidance, support, or decisions are required from the Chair.
- An understanding of the environment in which BulliesOut operates and a commitment to upholding its values, strengthening public confidence and trust in the organisation.
- Excellent communication, listening, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
- Professional, commercial, governance, or leadership experience that can support the charity’s strategic development and long-term sustainability.
- A genuine passion for preventing bullying behaviour and promoting kindness, inclusion, and respect, together with the time and commitment needed to make a meaningful contribution in this important voluntary role.
What difference will you make?
As Chair of BulliesOut, your leadership and commitment will play a vital role in strengthening and shaping a charity that works to create safer, kinder environments free from bullying behaviour. You will help ensure we continue to deliver high-quality support, education, and prevention work that makes a real difference to children, young people, and adults.
You will contribute to the governance of a respected national charity, supporting its ongoing development as it evolves and grows in response to changing needs and emerging challenges.
You will use your experience and networks to act as an advocate and ambassador for BulliesOut, helping to raise awareness of our work and amplify our impact.
As Chair, you will receive a full induction and ongoing support, with access to relevant training where needed to help you succeed in the role.
This is also an opportunity to bring your leadership experience to a purpose-driven organisation, working alongside the Chief Executive to strengthen strategy, governance, and long-term sustainability, while making a meaningful contribution to preventing bullying and promoting positive change.
Interested?
- Previous experience as a Chair, trustee, or in a senior leadership role within a charity or similar organisation is preferred.
- To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your relevant skills, experience, and motivation for the role.
