Join the board of ACRE and help us champion vibrant, sustainable and inclusive rural communities

ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) is an independent charity formed in 1987 with the aim of improving opportunities for people and communities in rural England. Today, ACRE works to create thriving, inclusive and economically active rural communities which have access to the services they need. We are the national body of the ACRE Network – England’s largest rural grouping of community support charities. Our work includes the coordination of nationally funded projects, programmes and research and contributing to public policy-making that impacts rural communities.

It is an exciting time to join ACRE’s Board with a newly appointed Chief Executive and a new government. We are about to begin work on developing our latest strategy which will see us grow, develop and increase our impact. We are looking for up to three new trustees to join us, who share our commitment to supporting rural communities and ensuring the voices of local people are heard.

We are looking for people who can bring diverse backgrounds, experiences and views to the board. It is key that our board represents our society, and we are looking to develop our board’s lived experience of rural life and ensure it is diverse in terms of age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender balance and cognitive diversity. We are especially interested to hear from those currently under-represented on the board such as young people, people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with lived experience of rural disadvantage.

We are also looking for trustees who can bring different professional experiences to the board. This might include but is not limited to, finance, commercial acumen, experience of partnerships between the corporate and charity sectors, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), community building and engagement, transport, utilities, housing or digital connectivity and communications.

The board meets quarterly with an annual strategy away day and an AGM. Board meetings are usually held in person twice a year and virtually twice a year. There are opportunities to engage with our executive and our membership throughout the year. We expect the time commitment, inclusive of board meetings, preparation, and ad hoc discussion with the executive and board to be the equivalent of up to a day a month.

This role is being recruited on ACRE’s behalf by Peridot Partners. Please click here for more information and to apply.