Chair of the Board of Trustees

Chair of TrusteesReady to make a difference as a Chair of Trustees? We’d love to hear from youAnna Freud is seeking a Chair of Trustees to join our world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families. More information about Anna Freud is available on our website: www.annafreud.org/about/.Our EDI commitmentWe are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and being an equal opportunities employer, whereby equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our recruitment practices. All candidates who meet the job criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities and care experience.We ask candidates to share their diversity dimensions with us to help us identify, tackle and prevent bias across the employee lifecycle. We believe a diverse workforce enhances our ability to support mental health and wellbeing, allowing us to better meet the needs of the children, young people and families we serve.As a Disability Confident employer, disabled candidates meeting our criteria are guaranteed an interview. Applications are submitted anonymously and assessed using a fair evaluation process based on the criteria set out in our job profiles.What we offerWe offer a range of benefits and you can view them all here: staff benefitsWhat you’ll doThe Chair of Trustees provides strategic leadership, ensures strong governance and financial sustainability, and represents Anna Freud externally while supporting the Chief Executive and Board to deliver the charity’s mission.Leading the Board with strategic clarity, effective oversight, and alignment to long-term organisational goals.Acting as a supportive yet appropriately challenging partner to the Chief Executive.Representing Anna Freud publicly, strengthening its profile, and building relationships with partners, funders, and policymakers.Ensuring robust, transparent governance and supporting financial sustainability through oversight and advocacy for a diverse income base.Championing inclusion, equity, lived experience, and collaboration across sectors to advance the charity’s mission.What you’ll bringAs the ideal candidate you will be an experienced and credible senior leader with strong governance expertise, strategic insight, inclusive leadership values, and the confidence to represent Anna Freud externally while supporting the Chief Executive and Board to deliver the charity’s mission.Proven governance experience at board level, ideally as a Chair, with the ability to provide strong oversight and sound judgement.Significant senior leadership experience within complex, high-profile organisations across the public, private, or voluntary sectors.High credibility and influence, with networks that support advocacy, partnerships, and fundraising for the charity.Commitment to inclusive leadership and ensuring diversity, equity, and lived experience are central to governance.Strong emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and the ability to act as a trusted, collaborative partner to the Chief Executive.Key detailsHours: Approximately three days per month, including four Board meetings a year and regular contact with the Chief Executive.Salary: This is a voluntary role with reasonable expenses covered.Location: London site (4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH) We are keen to encourage Trustees to attend Board meetings in person, whenever possible to build relationships and foster effective communications. However, remote participation will be provided as and when necessary.Contract type: An initial term of three years, renewable by mutual agreement.Next stepsClosing date for applications: Friday 16th January 2026Preliminary meetings with Starfish: w/c 26th January 2026Final interviews with Anna Freud: Monday, 9 February 2026How to apply:To make an application, please go to starfishsearch.com/jobs/anna-freud-chair-of-trustees and click on the apply now button, with the following prepared:Your CV (no more than three sides).A covering letter that sets out your motivation for the role and describes the specific experience you can bring to the appointment.We would also be grateful if you would complete the Equality and Diversity monitoring form on the online application process. This form is for monitoring purposes only and is not treated as part of your application.Questions?For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact Katy Giddens at katy.giddens@starfishsearch.com or Rebecca O’Connor at rebecca.oconnor@starfishsearch.com who will be pleased to arrange a call.