Chair of Trustees

Chair of Trustees - Mary Frances Trust

Location: Surrey / Hybrid

Time Commitment: Approx. 1–2 days per month

Remuneration: Voluntary (expenses reimbursed)

Term: Three-year term, with potential for reappointment for up to two further terms.

We are open to reasonable adjustments and flexible approaches to the role

Make a Lasting Impact on Mental Health in Surrey

Mary Frances Trust (MFT) is a leading mental health and emotional wellbeing charity supporting people across Surrey to live fulfilling, empowered lives. We work alongside individuals experiencing any kind of mental or emotional health challenge, offering long term, community based support co produced with people with lived experience.

As we enter an exciting new phase of growth, we are seeking a Chair of Trustees to guide our Board and help shape the future of our organisation. This is a pivotal leadership role for someone who is passionate about mental health, strong governance, and community impact.

About Us

For over 30 years, MFT has delivered high quality, person centred services in partnership with the NHS, local authorities and the voluntary sector. Our values Inspiring, Inclusive, Agile and Respectful underpin everything we do.

Our Board is friendly, collaborative, and committed, providing strong governance and strategic oversight while supporting our dedicated staff and volunteers.

The Role

As Chair, you will:

• Lead the Board, ensuring effective governance and strategic direction.
• Support and constructively challenge the Chief Executive, including annual performance review.
• Foster strong relationships between Trustees, staff, volunteers, Members, the Advisory Group and external partners.
• Act as an ambassador for MFT where appropriate.
• Plan and chair Board meetings and the AGM, ensuring balanced discussion and clear decisions.
• Oversee Board effectiveness, succession planning and compliance with legal and regulatory duties.
• Champion MFT’s values and our commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing across Surrey.

Person Specification

You will bring:

• Strong governance and leadership experience.
• The ability to chair meetings confidently and inclusively.
• Sound judgement and the ability to support and challenge constructively.
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic and communication skills.
• Understanding of the mental health, wellbeing or wider voluntary sector.
• Capacity to commit 1–2 days per month.
• Commitment to MFT’s mission, values and community impact.

Desirable (not essential):

• HR / people governance experience.
• Experience handling escalated complaints or appeals at Board level.
• Experience of co production or lived experience led approaches.
• Lived experience of mental health issues or caring responsibilities, we value lived experience alongside governance and leadership skills

How to Apply

Please send:

• Your CV
• A covering letter outlining your interest and how you meet the person specification

To: kerry@maryfrancestrust.org.uk

We welcome applications from people under represented in charity governance (including disabled people, people from minoritised ethnic communities, and people with lived experience of mental health challenges)

Deadline:3rd June 2026

Interviews: June 2026 Anticipated appointment: July 2026 (with handover period)

For an informal, confidential conversation, contact: Sam Greenhouse, Chair of Trustees (sam@maryfrancestrust.org.uk)