Trustee Treasurer

About Us

Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) is the national charity for rural communities. We champion thriving, sustainable and inclusive rural communities that have the services and resources they need to achieve equitable outcomes for everyone. Ten million people live in the English countryside but these communities are poorly understood. Just as in our towns and cities, there are areas of affluence but these can mask real deprivation. In addition many rural communities face daily challenges as a result of where they live. ACRE is dedicated to addressing these barriers, and helping rural communities to reach their full potential.

ACRE is the only national charity speaking up for everyone in rural areas, and we work closely with our network of 37 member charities who support local communities across England. Together we campaign for change, enable local action, and unlock support for people most in need. We engage with government and other national partners to explore the issues affecting rural communities and identify solutions, so that no one is disadvantaged by where they live.

ACRE has begun an exciting new phase in its evolution. Last year we launched our strategy for 2025-30, Rural Ambition: enabling communities to thrive. It sets out our aim to help improve the quality of life for rural communities and support those in greatest need. It builds on the last five years but also marks a change in focus and pace. We will concentrate on the most important issues facing rural communities, speaking up more boldly and building new alliances. Our strategy is optimistic and ambitious, because we believe there are opportunities as well as unresolved challenges for rural communities. We are also clear that we need to be a resilient organisation if we are going to be successful. The Treasurer will play a key role in making that happen.

About the Role

We are seeking a Treasurer with strong financial skills and relevant qualifications to join our Board. The Treasurer will act as the lead trustee for financial oversight and provide guidance on budgeting, planning and sound financial management. With a solid understanding of the regulatory and governance landscape, they will chair the Finance Sub-Committee and provide ad hoc advice and support to the Finance Manager. The post holder will also be a member of the Officers’ Group, consisting of the Chair, two Vice Chairs and Chief Executive/Company Secretary. The group acts as an additional source of advice for the Chief Executive between Board meetings.

The Treasurer will also be expected to use their experience to oversee the delivery of ACRE’s new strategy and charitable objectives, to represent the interests of all stakeholders, and to act as an ambassador for the charity. This includes ensuring we have a robust financial model that will enable us to increase our impact and plan for the longer term. As we increase our financial resilience, we will also work with ACRE network members to help them increase their own, so that together we can make an even greater positive change for rural communities.

Requirements

• Four Board meetings a year – two online and two overnight meetings in person
• Three Finance Sub-Committee meetings a year – online
• Two Officers’ meetings a year – online and in person

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to achieving the highest standards of diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, traditions and ways of life.

The ACRE Team is home based. The meetings that take place in person are held in different locations in central England.

Appropriate expenses will be reimbursed in line with our policy.

How to apply

Please find the full role description below and the link to apply for the role.

Please note that we will only accept applications submitted via the form above.

Closing date: 6pm, Monday 6 April

Online interviews: Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 April

If you have any questions or require further help, please contact Kirsten Burrow at kirsten.burrow@theindispensary.co.uk, who is managing the recruitment process on behalf of ACRE.