Trustee / Director

EFDSS is seeking up to three Trustees/Directors to join its Board in November 2025. This is a wonderful opportunity for the right people to work with this unique organisation and support the continued development of EFDSS as the national development organisation for the folk arts.

We are open to receiving applications from candidates who will bring:

 an enthusiasm and support for the aims and objectives of EFDSS;

 a belief in the power of culture and education to transform and enrich people’s lives

and a commitment to support the work of those involved in it;

 a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and widening access;

 An understanding of the arts and cultural landscape in England/UK.

We are particularly interested in receiving applications from those with professional experience and knowledge in Finance, Libraries and/or Archives, and Digital Transformation.

As a national organisation, we also encourage applications from people living anywhere in England.

As part of our commitment to build greater diversity so our organisation better reflects 21 st Century England, we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, perspectives and identities.

To be a Trustee/Director you will have:

 A willingness to meet the minimum time requirement and engage in training as and when required.

 An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.

 An understanding of the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

 A commitment to EFDSS’ vision, goals, and values.

 A willingness to respectfully speak their mind.

 Good, independent judgement.

 An ability to think creatively.

 Strategic vision.

 Enhanced DBS certificate /willingness to acquire one (https://www.efdss.org/safeguarding)

 To become a member of EFDSS (started membership is £24 pa).

 A willingness to use contacts and network for the benefit of EFDSS.

This is a voluntary role but out of pocket expenses to attend meetings and other EFDSS events will be reimbursed.

Documents

Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association:

efdss.org/images/present/Docs/Documentation/ArticlesOfAssociationNovember2021.pdf

Annual Reports and Accounts: efdss.org/about-us/who-we-are/annual-reviews

Induction and Support

New Board members will be given an induction, including time with EFDSS staff and other

board members.

EFDSS Trustee/Director Recruitment

As a Trustee your responsibilities will be:

 being a legal director of the company and a trustee of the charity, and those related responsibilities;

 ensuring decisions taken at board meetings are implemented;

 overseeing good practice and compliance;

 scrutinising of decisions and finances;

 building connections and opportunities;

 challenging and advising;

 supporting and championing equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout the organisation and in the wider folk sector;

 ensuring all policies and procedures are regularly updated and enforced;

 supporting the Chair and, through her, the staff team;

 supporting EFDSS’ fundraising efforts by sharing contacts, encouraging your networks to support EFDSS, helping with EFDSS’ fundraising campaigns;

 advocating and championing EFDSS and the folk arts.

Trustees are expected to:

 have read board papers for each meeting and contribute to discussions;

 attend board meetings (four times yearly, scheduled in advance, held in London/virtually);

 be willing to join subcommittees and working parties (virtually/in person);

 attend events and activities run by EFDSS at Cecil Sharp House and at other locations.

Eligibility

Before you apply, you should make sure that you are legally able to become a trustee. The following is from the gov.uk guidance on being a trustee:

 You must be at least 16 years old in order to be a trustee of a charity that is a company (for safeguarding reasons we would prefer trustees to be at least 18 years old);

 You must not be disqualified from being a company director;

 You must not act as a trustee if you are disqualified unless authorised to do so by a waiver from the Charity Commission. The reasons for disqualification are shown in the disqualify reasons table and include:

o Being bankrupt or having an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA).

o Having an unspent conviction for certain offences (including any that involve dishonesty or deception).

o Being on the sex offenders register.

 You must have or be willing to have an enhanced DBS certificate;

 You must be properly appointed following the procedures and any restrictions in the charity’s governing document.

Further information can be found on the website of the Charity Commission.

Legal information

Our information can be found at Companies House. EFDSS is committed to safeguarding the welfare of our staff, our volunteers, our partners, and the people involved in our activities. Applicants will be asked about any previous convictions, cautions, reprimands, including those that are considered ‘spent’ as defined by the Rehabilitation Offenders Act

EFDSS Trustee/Director Recruitment

1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amended 2013). Appointment to this role is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check (with children’s barred list check) and references.