Breast Cancer Now Information Pack for Trustee Recruitment April 2018
Contents Page 1. Welcome from Lynne Berry, Chair of the Board of Trustees 3 2. Breast Cancer Now The Organisation 5 3. Breast Cancer Now Trustee Role Profile 7 4. Time Commitment and our Offer in Return 10 5. Recruitment Process 11 6. Trustee Code of Conduct 12 2
April 2018 Dear Applicant Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Trustees of Breast Cancer Now. Three years ago, to bring renewed focus to research in breast cancer and to create a single strong voice to advocate for access to treatments, the Trustees of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Campaign agreed to merge the two charities to create Breast Cancer Now. As Breast Cancer Now we have undertaken a challenging and inspiring journey and both I and our inspirational Chief Executive, Delyth Morgan are delighted with the progress we have made and continue to make. However, there is more to do if we are to achieve our ambition that, by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live and live well. The successful launch of Breast Cancer Now coincided with an increased focus on charity governance and accountability, on fundraising regulations and on the role of Trustees. The Board is very aware of the importance of good governance and we are determined to be at the forefront of good practice. After a year, we undertook a Governance Review and agreed to put in place several changes to increase our skill base. We also put in term limits and as a result we have the opportunity to appoint a Trustee to join the Board to help ensure the charity has maximum impact and to oversee the fantastic work being undertaken by our dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters to save and improve the lives of those diagnosed and affected by breast cancer. It s important that the Board has a blend of experience and expertise and that this appointment extends our range of knowledge and skills. We, therefore, welcome interest from active leading researchers with a strong track record in their chosen research field who have demonstrable governance and/or management experience at Board level. We want people who are passionate about our work and can use their skills to ensure good governance through their strategic insight, sound advice and constructive challenge to help the Board undertake their responsibilities of scrutiny and support. 3
If that sums you up, why not get I touch and apply to be a trustee of this progressive and ambitious charity. I hope you find the information in this pack (including information on the roles and responsibilities of Trustees) helpful and I look forward to hearing from you. Lynne Berry Chair of the Board of Trustees, Breast Cancer Now 4
Breast Cancer Now The Organisation We re Breast Cancer Now, the UK s largest breast cancer charity. Established in April 2015 following the merger of Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer we have an annual turnover of 28.3 million and a headcount of 159. We are based near Tower Hill in London with an office in Edinburgh and operate across the UK. We also fund medical research in Ireland and have opened a grant round to main land Europe. We bring together patients and supporters with researchers and healthcare professionals to tackle breast cancer. We are dedicated to funding world-class research and driving progress in the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer. To do this we: Support nearly 400 of the UK and Ireland s brightest researchers; Promote public health awareness campaigns that reach millions; Develop and deliver hard-hitting policy work and campaigning on behalf of patients and their families; Raise valuable income through our fundraising teams to ensure our work continues. Right now, breast cancer is at a tipping point. More women are surviving, but more are being diagnosed than ever before. One in eight women in the UK will face breast cancer in their lifetime and every 45 minutes, another woman dies from the disease. Our cutting-edge research is focused entirely on breast cancer and we believe that if we all act now, by 2050, no one who develops breast cancer will die from it. But we ll only reach that point by working in a new, collaborative way. Right now, we re funding over 26 million worth of ground-breaking research projects, supporting nearly 400 of the world s brightest researchers at more than 30 institutions across the UK and Ireland. Together, they re working to discover how to prevent breast cancer, how to detect it earlier and how to treat it effectively at every stage so we can stop the disease taking lives. We re also committed to nurturing talent and encouraging potential by championing PhD students and those at the start of their breast cancer research careers. It means we re combining prestige with pioneer, expert with innovator, to tackle the disease from all angles. It means we ll always stay one step ahead. 5
Our Research Centre in London established in partnership with the Institute of Cancer Research, the first of its kind in the UK, houses over 100 researchers across eight multidisciplinary teams. For every 1 we invest in research at the Research Centre, our researchers bring in another 2. Our Tissue Bank opened in 2012 as the UK s first ever national breast cancer tissue bank. It currently makes tens of thousands of samples from patients available to researchers across the UK and Ireland. These samples are vital to helping our researchers understand in exact detail how breast cancer develops and interacts with surrounding tissues in the body. But research on its own isn t enough. Everything we do is rooted in the realities of women and men affected by breast cancer. We re the catalyst that connects the laboratory bench with the hospital bedside, the GP s office, the MP s surgery and the policies that govern our health service. And it s only by working together that we ll truly make an impact on this devastating disease. Every aspect of our work supports our aim to end this disease s power over our lives. Through our policy work, we take the discoveries we make in the lab and work tirelessly to make sure that progress improves the lives of everyone affected by breast cancer whether that s campaigning for an innovative new treatment to be made available on the NHS or promoting proven ways to reduce the risk of the disease in public health messaging. Our campaigns make the voices of patients and their families heard. We work with the health service to champion patients needs and improve the services they re offered. Our effective public health campaigns are designed to give everyone impartial, evidenced information about breast cancer, its treatments, the signs and symptoms, and the risk factors for the disease. By arming women with the facts, we empower them to take action. If we all act now, we believe that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live and live well. We need to invest at least 300 million in research over the next 10 years if we re to achieve these ambitious goals. Further Information about Breast Cancer Now can be found at: http://breastcancernow.org/ and http://breastcancernow.org/about-us/what-wedo/annual-report-and-accounts 6
BREAST CANCER NOW TRUSTEE ROLE PROFILE Purpose To provide governance, strategic direction and leadership through the regular review of the strategic aims and plans of Breast Cancer Now and the evaluation of performance against agreed targets. Board members must act in the best interests of Breast Cancer Now, sharing the responsibility with other board members for making sure that the charity is well run. They should use any relevant knowledge, skills or experience they have, to help the Board of Trustees to reach sound decisions. This may involve leading discussions, identifying key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, and evaluating or offering advice on other areas in which the trustee has particular expertise. Main responsibilities of board members 1. To ensure that Breast Cancer Now is financially stable and well managed. This includes the adoption and oversight of the annual budget; the oversight of fundraising and income generation; the protection and management of the charity s property; and the proper investment of the charity s funds. 2. To ensure that Breast Cancer Now complies with its governing document (its Articles of Association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations. 3. To ensure that Breast Cancer Now applies its resources exclusively in the pursuance of its objectives and not on other activities no matter how worthwhile they may be. 4. To be responsible for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the Chief Executive including holding them to account for the achievement of Breast Cancer Now s goals, and to provide them with regular, constructive feedback on leadership, management and overall achievement. 5. To ensure that Breast Cancer Now has policies and practices which help it to achieve its aims and that these are regularly reviewed. 6. To ensure that Breast Cancer Now develops strong organisational controls and manages its risks well. 7. To oversee project/programme planning and evaluation. 7
8. To communicate openly with all stakeholders about the work and performance of Breast Cancer Now and to take into account feedback from them. 9. To promote Breast Cancer Now and to safeguard its good name, reputation and values (Freethinking, Affirming and Bright). 10. To ensure that Breast Cancer Now strives to achieve best practice in all areas of its activities that adds to public confidence and trust in the charity. In order that you fully understand the commitment and responsibility of a Trustee, please also read our Trustee Code of Conduct (page 12) and the Charity Commission guidelines: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-toknow-cc3 8
BREAST CANCER NOW TRUSTEE PERSON SPECIFICATION The Board is looking for: an active leading researcher with a strong track record in the candidate s chosen research field; demonstrable governance and/or management experience at Board level; a broad knowledge of breast cancer research and the breast cancer research ecosystem. The Board would welcome applications to extend the diversity of its membership and expertise. It particularly welcomes interest from senior health professionals active in the NHS; active research clinicians from disciplines such as surgery or radiology; and nonclinical researchers. Personal attributes Each Trustee must: Have a commitment to the mission and values of Breast Cancer Now Understand, and have the ability, to apply strategic leadership Demonstrate intellectual rigour and analytical insight Build a positive culture and constructive working relationships Communicate clearly and have the confidence and a willingness to speak their mind Demonstrate business and emotional resilience Apply good, independent judgement with an understanding of the need to balance commercial and charity objectives Demonstrate an innovative and entrepreneurial approach Have an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship including the willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their responsibilities Have an ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of Breast Cancer Now Demonstrate a willingness and ability to positively represent Breast Cancer Now externally Act in accordance with Nolan s seven principles of public life: Selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership 9
TIME COMMITMENT AND OUR OFFER IN RETURN Length of term The term of office is three years. At the end of three years, you may stand for reappointment for a further term of three years. Meetings and time commitment The Board of Trustees generally meets six times a year normally in Central London, one of which is extended as a Strategy and Board development session. Standard meetings typically last 3.5 hours. Trustees are expected to prioritise attendance at all meetings of the Board. Trustees are expected to serve on at least one sub-committee where appropriate dependent on the Trustee s area/s of expertise and at the request of the Chair. For this role, the trustee will serve on the: - Science Strategy Committee and depending on their background potentially the - Risk and Internal Audit Committee or - Finance and Investment Committee In addition, Trustees are encouraged and will have the opportunity to take part in fundraising and social activities and events. The total time commitment for an individual Trustee is the equivalent of approximately 10 to 15 working days per year. And in return You will join a welcoming and respected Board whose style is collaborative and whose expertise, dedication and skill has successfully stewarded Breast Cancer Now to this point. We offer a full induction programme (including the opportunity to visit a research centre) to fully immerse yourself into the charity and are currently developing a Trustee training programme. Your skills and commitment will serve to enrich the capability of the Board and move Breast Cancer Now forward towards the achievement of its mission. In short you will be making a valued contribution to saving lives. Perks of the job don t get any better than that. 10
RECRUITMENT PROCESS To be considered, you must provide the following: A supporting letter of no longer than two sides of A4, explaining how you believe your skills and experience match the requirements of the role, directly addressing the person specification; A comprehensive CV of no longer than two sides of A4 including details of your achievements in each role; Details of two referees, who will not be contacted without your prior knowledge or consent. Applications must be sent to Graham Vigor, Head of People & OD, at graham.vigor@breastcancernow.org If you have any questions about the role or the process, please contact Graham at the above e-mail address or on the following telephone number 0207 280 4258. Closing date for receipt of applications The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 1 May 2018 at 11:59pm. Candidates are also asked to note other important dates in the recruitment timetable. As with most Trustee roles this one is unremunerated, but reasonable out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed. Shortlisting Will be held in early May 2018. Selection process Interviews will be held at Breast Cancer Now s premises in London Preliminary Interview date: 10 May 2018 Final Panel Interview date: 23 May 2018 Breast Cancer Now is committed to equal opportunity and diversity and is an inclusive charity. Candidates who requre any support in making their application should please advise us and we will look to reasonably adjust the process accordingly. 11
TRUSTEE CODE OF CONDUCT Breast Cancer Now operates under the Good Governance Code and we ask trustees to read and be aware of its contents. In addition, it is the responsibility of Trustees to: Act within the governing document and the law being aware of the contents of Breast Cancer Now s governing document and the law as it applies to the organisation; Act in the best interest of Breast Cancer Now as a whole considering what is best for the organisation and its beneficiaries in decision making and avoiding bringing Breast Cancer Now into disrepute; Manage conflicts of interest effectively registering, declaring and resolving conflicts of interest in line with Breast Cancer Now s policy. Not gaining materially or financially unless specifically authorised to do so; Respect confidentiality understanding what confidentiality means in practice for Breast Cancer Now, its board and the individuals involved with it; Have a sound and up-to-date knowledge of Breast Cancer Now and its environment understanding Breast Cancer Now s vision and strategy, how the organisation works and the environment within which it operates; Attend meetings and other appointments or give apologies attending a minimum of four out of six Board meetings a year, missing no more than three in a row, and considering other ways of engaging with the organisation if regularly unable to attend trustee meetings; Prepare fully for meetings and all work for Breast Cancer Now reading papers, querying anything you don t understand and thinking through issues in good time before meetings; Actively engage in discussion, debate and voting in meetings contributing positively, listening carefully, challenging sensitively and avoiding conflict; Act jointly and accept a majority decision making decisions collectively, standing by them and not acting individually unless specifically authorised to do so; 12
Work considerately and respectfully with all championing and demonstrating Breast Cancer Now s leadership values, respecting equality and diversity, different roles and boundaries, and avoiding giving offence; Maintain the Board s strategic focus focusing on strategic matters, expecting the Chief Executive to lead and manage the organisation and report to the board. Holding the CEO to account for the charity s performance and committing to scrutinise, support and challenge; Engage with Breast Cancer Now primarily as a trustee while Trustees are encouraged to participate in events and activities and to represent the charity at networking events subject to their time availability, there is an understanding that a Board member s primary role is to be trustees and that any specific expertise given to the organisation is separate to that role. 13