Cogges Heritage Trust 3 x Trustees Voluntary Roles
Are you looking for an opportunity to ‘give something back’ by using your life and business skills within a charitable organisation?
Cogges Heritage Trust which is an independent charity is seeking new Trustees to add to its well-established Board, some of whom will be retiring during the next 12 months. The trust was formed in 2011 and is the charity which cares for and manages Cogges Manor Farm, a unique and diverse historic site, in Witney, West Oxfordshire. There is also a wholly owned subsidiary (Cogges Heritage Enterprises Ltd) which is responsible for the café and weddings business and has its own board of Directors.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, and stiff economic headwinds Cogges has continued to invest in the visitor offer and are well placed for the future. This included a significant grant from the National Lottery, which has allowed the charity to improve and add interpretation around the site, make the Manor House more accessible, re-thatch the visitor entrance and improve welfare facilities for our wonderful volunteers. We believe that this investment will allow for expansion of the offer and attract new audiences.
Cogges Heritage Trust is now seeking to appoint 3 Trustees to its well-established Board of Trustees, some of whom will be retiring during the next 12 months. In addition, there is opportunity for an Independent Director to join the Board of Cogges Heritage Enterprises.
The Board provide collective governance leadership of the organisation in support of its charitable objects. Trustees play a key role in setting the strategic direction of the organisation and overall policy, defining goals, establishing targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are eager to be part of the next phase of Cogges’ development. You will share our passion for making the Farm relevant and rewarding to a wide range of audiences, and be willing to challenge and bring fresh thinking, new ideas and entrepreneurial qualities to enable Cogges to continue its progress of recent years. This is an exciting stage in our development which is something we hope you would like to influence and be part of.
Trustees should ideally have skills & experience in one or more of these fields: Fundraising, Marketing, Events, Heritage/Tourism, Business Development, Farming & Animal Welfare, Catering/Hospitality.
There are four Board meetings (on site) and up to six sub-Committee meetings (mostly online) per annum. Board members will serve on a voluntary basis (although reasonable expenses will be paid if required).
These unremunerated roles are open to all, and we encourage anyone who feels they meet the criteria to apply. Please submit a CV and a brief accompanying letter outlining what you could bring to the role, and explaining how you meet the requirements.
In the first instance this should be sent to the current Chair of Trustees at paul.evans@cogges.org.uk.
Download the Cogges Trustee Recruitment Guide 2024 (PDF)
Download the Trustee role description (Word document)
Apply by 12pm midnight on Sunday 19th May 2024.
