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Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Trustee

Samworth Foundation
Remote working

Posted: 25 Sep 2026

Deadline: 4 Oct 2026

Compensation: N/A

Volunteer Remote working

Job description

The Trustee role

Trustees share responsibility for governing the Foundation and directing how it is managed and run. You will help us effectively distribute our money to organisations working to address social and environmental issues in the UK and overseas.

Trustees are not paid, but reasonable expenses incurred whilst on trustee business, for example travel costs to attend a meeting, will be reimbursed.

You can find out more about the responsibilities of a trustee here.

About you

We are looking for someone who shares our commitment to the Foundation's vision and can contribute effectively to the board's work — whether this would be your first trustee role or you've served as a trustee before.

We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and as outlined above, we would like to hear from people who have experience of farming, particularly farming that benefits nature and climate. For example, this may be as a farmer or grower, a farm advisor, an agronomist.

Trustee role profile

• Salary: Unpaid. None of our trustees are paid. We will reimburse reasonable expenses incurred while travelling to and attending meetings or events for the Foundation.
• Hours: Four meetings a year, each usually up to four hours long. Trustees are also invited to other events and activities relevant to the role. Estimated time commitment, four hours per month.
• Term: Trustees are initially appointed for a term of three years. A trustee who has served for three consecutive terms may not be appointed for a fourth consecutive term.
• Other: Four trustee meetings are held each year. Two in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, one in London (or elsewhere), and one online, all during office hours (usually 10am-2pm)

Main purpose of the role

Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the Samworth Foundation, its financial health, probity of its activities, and for setting and overseeing the delivery of the organisation’s aims and objectives.

Under the Charities Act 2011, trustees are responsible for:

1. Ensuring the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.
2. Complying with their charity’s governing document and the law.
3. Acting in the charity’s best interests.
4. Managing the charity’s resources responsibly.
5. Acting with reasonable care and skill.
6. Ensuring the charity is accountable.

Person specification

The following skills, knowledge, and experience, would be helpful for the role of Trustee:

• Lived or learned experience of farming or the farming sector, for example as a farmer, grower, farm advisor, agronomist, or through work supporting sustainable agriculture.
• An understanding of the charity/not-for-profit sector, and an interest in staying informed about developments in modern slavery and sustainable agriculture between meetings.
• A commitment to the aims and objectives of the Foundation.
• Good communication skills.
• Good, independent judgement and strategic vision.
• The confidence to constructively express your views.
• The ability to quickly get to grips with and engage actively with new or complex issues outside of your own area of expertise.
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Willingness to learn about and take responsibility for the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a charity trustee, including financial oversight and safeguarding.

Application information

Please send a written statement and a CV (each document should be no more than two sides of A4) to nathalie@samworthfoundation.org.uk. The written statement should outline:

1. Why you are interested in the role.
2. How your skills are an asset to this role.
3. The value you would bring to the Foundation.
4. The difference you hope to make to the Foundation.

If you would like a discussion before you apply or any help with your application, please contact Nathalie Walters, Director on 07984 317808 or email nathalie@samworthfoundation.org.uk

Interviews: Wednesday 11 November 2026 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

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