We are looking for four new people to join the Board of Trustees of the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) with experience in finance, social enterprise, healthcare and digital marketing. Location: Our Head Office is based in Aylesford, Kent but we welcome applications from anywhere in the UK.

Salary: unremunerated, but pre-agreed reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Tenure: is initially for a three-year period, which will be subject to review.

About the organisation

Established in 1919, RBLI is a national charity providing employment, training and support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependents; as well as those with a disability or health condition and those who have been long-term unemployed. RBLI launched the Improving Lives 10 year strategy in 2015, with the intent to grow and further develop the charitable offering with an ever increasing national reach, modern facilities and collaborative and innovative programmes. In 2019, the charity’s centenary year, RBLI announced the Centenary village, a new £22 million development, which will provide a home to hundreds of more veterans every year.

RBLI is a charity like no other in the UK. It provides a breadth of support that is unparalleled, including employment, employability support, learning and development and accommodation. The accommodation includes emergency arrangements, family homes, specially adapted homes, assisted living and high dependency nursing across two care homes. The latest phase of the Centenary Village development has recently been officially opened, providing additional accommodation and services. Development work is also ongoing on the next phase of this exciting project.

Lifeworks, a programme supported by RBLI’s partners, is a service run at zero cost to participants. The aim is to help support veterans looking to move into sustainable employment, training or education. It also provides support to military families looking for employment. Whilst the majority of the staff working for this programme are based in Aylesford, the courses and support are provided throughout the country.

The RBLI Aylesford village contains the full care pathway, supporting younger veterans who are at risk of homelessness, assisted living for veterans and their dependants over the age of 55 and high-dependency care homes.

A key part of RBLI is the social enterprises, which currently employ over 100 people, 75% of whom are veterans, have a disability or both. Located in Aylesford, Leatherhead and Glasgow the social enterprises manufacture a range of products for both the public and private sector.

Royal British Legion Industries is a separate charity from the Royal British Legion.

Our Values

These values underpin RBLI’s activity across the organisation and are incorporated in how we interact with one another, how we interact with our customers and, crucially, how we interact with those who need our support. As impact is a key part of our mission, having this word at the heart of our values is important to us as we aim to maximise the impact we are having in everything we do.

Integrity

We are proud of the how; committed to doing what’s best while maintaining transparency and respect at all times.

Motivated

We are motivated to maximise value through challenging ideas, innovation and embracing change

People-first

People are at the centre of everything we do; we care about those we support, our colleagues, our customers and stakeholders

Accountability

We are responsible for all our actions and we inspire each other to make decisions and take ownership

Community

We take pride in our inclusive and thriving community with its unique network of support

Team work

We achieve our goals together through the strength of our collaboration and communication

Website: rbli.co.uk/

About the role Royal British Legion Industries is currently looking to appoint three or four new Trustees who will be passionate about the charity and its aims and committed to the vision of the charity. The desirable areas of expertise are noted below however please note that consideration will be given to outstanding candidates with other appropriate skills and experience.

Time commitment 4 Board meetings per year and a Strategy Day + 4 Sub-Committee meetings + Ad-hoc engagement

Role specification The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity. It oversees all aspects of the organisation, working closely with the Chief Executive and senior leadership team.

All trustees are expected to:

Ensure that the charity complies with its governing documents, charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations, and that it operates within its charitable objectives, carrying out its purpose for the public benefit Always act in the charity’s best interest and with reasonable care and skill Provide clear strategic direction and regularly review the mission, strategic aims, guiding principles and overall plans for the organisation and progress against objectives Ensure the financial stability, probity and sustainability of the organisation through effective scrutiny and challenge especially in relation to the financial aspects of the charity Safeguard the charity’s reputation and values and adhere fully to the Trustee Code of Conduct Person specification Ideally RBLI would like Trustees with some skills and experience in any of the following areas:

Healthcare: With a large part of its social mission being dedicated to providing healthcare and support through the entire spectrum, e.g. dementia care and assisted living, RBLI seeks a trustee to join its Board with extensive senior operational health and / or care experience, together with well-informed knowledge and understanding of current and best practice in the sector.

Finance: As an ambitious charity with plans to grow further RBLI is looking for a trustee who holds an accounting qualification, can demonstrate commercial awareness and knowledge, and has extensive experience of working within a finance department or professional accounting business at a senior level.

Social Enterprise: Our social enterprise is a key part of the business which we are looking to expand. RBLI is therefore keen to find individuals who are not just passionate about social enterprise but also have extensive experience of working within this area, either as part of the manufacturing or the sales side.

Digital / Online Marketing: We recognise that digital skills are essential to RBLI's success. To support our ongoing digital transformation and the planned expansion of online retail and marketing, RBLI is looking for experience in digital strategy, marketing, customer experience and management of digital infrastructure

Additional information Board Composition For more information on RBLI's Board of Trustees, please see here.

Terms of Appointment The appointment for these Trustee roles are unremunerated, but pre-agreed reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed. The tenure will initially be for a three-year period, which will be subject to review.

Diversity RBLI welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role irrespective of their background, community, industry or protected characteristics.

Timeline Deadline for applications: 31st December 2023

Candidates can expect to be contacted by: 15th January 2024

Candidates can expect the process to be completed by: 15th March 2024

If you wish to be considered for the above role, forward your CV and covering letter including a supporting statement to [email protected]

RBLI is an accredited Disability Confident Leader. We guarantee to interview disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. If you consider yourself to have a disability and would like to apply for the above role under our disability confident scheme then please submit your application to [email protected] Should you need additional support or any reasonable adjustments to support you in applying for this role please email [email protected] call 01622 795917.