We’re seeking a Chair for the Board of Pride Wide Trust (registered charity).
About Pride Wide
Pride Wide is a nonprofit publisher, broadcaster and growth consultancy, advancing LGBTQIA+ rights and lives.
Structure
Pride Wide Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (1208890), and it is this organisation for which we seek a chair.
The larger Pride Wide organisation also consists of Pride Wide Inc, a registered nonprofit in Delaware, currently registering for 501(c)(3) status, and Pride Wide CIC a nonprofit Community Interest Company, registered in England and Wales. They are not directly related to this recruitment, however all three organisations are closely aligned.
The Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees oversees the strategy and governance of Pride Wide Trust, ensuring the charity delivers its mission and adheres to its values of unity, openness, and excellence. It acts as the ultimate authority for directing the organisation, ensuring it remains solvent and well-run.
The role of the Chair
The Chair is Pride Wide Trust’s most senior volunteer leader. The Chair holds trustee/ director office on the UK board, providing unifying leadership across the whole organisation.
The Chair also co-chairs the Pride Wide Global Governors’ Council, along with their counterpart from Pride Wide Inc, our US nonprofit.
Pride Wide needs a Chair who is a visible, credible public champion for the organisation and the movement, and who personally initiates and develops the partnerships and relationships that bring in revenue and funds. This is an important feature of the role and a key focus during our recruitment process.
The Chair also leads the board effectively, and discharges the legal duties of the role (set out below). As Pride Wide is a start-up with a working board, the Chair leads from the front – opening doors, representing Pride Wide externally, supporting and leading the executive team and setting the tone for an engaged, hands-on board.
Key responsibilities
Board leadership and the executive
Lead the board, set agendas, build consensus, and act as the principal partner and sounding board to the executive team. Appoint, support and hold to account senior executive staff.
Strategy and mission alignment
Lead the board’s contribution to strategy and ensure the organisation stays focused on its mission and priorities. Ensure all activities advance the charity’s stated charitable purpose for public benefit.
External leadership and profile
Act as an external champion and a public face for the organisation and movement, representing it to funders, partners, and other stakeholders across the communities it serves.
Partnerships and revenue
Personally initiate, develop and – in partnership with the executive – steward strategic partnerships that generate revenue and funds; open networks and broker relationships at the most senior level.
Fundraising and movement building
Lead and role-model fundraising and movement-building, including identifying prospects, making introductions and participating directly in outreach and asks.
Governance, legal compliance and financial oversight
Ensure the boards govern effectively and comply with legal and regulatory requirements in the UK (with support – see “How the role is supported”). Ensure the budget, financial controls and assets are managed responsibly and the organisation remains solvent.
The Chair’s duties in law
Because the Chair holds office as a charity trustee of Pride Wide Trust (England and Wales), the role carries legal duties that cannot be delegated away, whatever the external focus of the role.
As a UK charity trustee, the Chair must: ensure Pride Wide acts only to further its charitable purposes for public benefit; comply with its governing documents and the law; act in the charity’s best interests; manage its resources responsibly; act with reasonable care and skill; and ensure the charity is accountable (in line with Charity Commission guidance, “The essential trustee”).
The Chair is also expected to lead the board in meeting these obligations and to uphold the Nolan Principles of public life.
Importantly, deep prior governance or chairing experience is not a requirement. What we need is sound judgement, integrity, and a genuine willingness to understand and accept these duties. The governance load is shared and supported, so the Chair provides sufficient focus on external and partnership-building priorities.
How the role is supported
Vice-Chair / board officers: a Vice-Chair and experienced trustees share governance leadership and can carry day-to-day governance detail.
Treasurer & financial oversight: a Treasurer leads on financial scrutiny and reporting.
Governance / company secretary support: support with legal compliance, board administration and regulatory filings in both jurisdictions.
Executive leadership: provides detailed reporting, strategic plans and operational support.
Specialised committees: the Corporate Partnerships Board (corporate partnerships), Development Council (resources and fundraising) and Operations Council (people and organisation).
Working groups: volunteer groups set up to support the development and delivery of projects.
Commitment
This is a voluntary role, but it is more demanding than a general trustee role. Realistically, expect:
Around two to four days per month (roughly 16-32 hours) on average, with more in busy periods such as funding rounds, recruitment or key external moments.
Board meetings: chairing six board/Council meetings a year (approx. 90 minutes each, held virtually), plus preparation and agenda-setting.
Executive partnership: regular (typically monthly) check-ins with the executive lead.
External and partnership activity: representation, introductions, partnership and fundraising conversations, which vary month to month.
Term: a three-year term, ideally renewable once.
Person specification
We are especially interested in external reach and partnership-building ability. Governance experience is welcome.
Essential
Fundraising leadership: willingness and ability to lead and role-model fundraising, including making introductions and direct asks.
External profile and credibility: a credible external presence and genuine comfort being a public face and senior champion for an organisation, business or movement.
Leadership: ability to lead an organisation, build consensus and bring people with you. Formal chairing experience is welcome but can be developed in role.
Mission commitment: a demonstrable, deep commitment to LGBTQIA+ equality and Pride Wide’s mission.
Judgement and integrity: sound, independent judgement, integrity, and commitment to the Nolan Principles of public life.
Acceptance of legal duties: willingness to understand and accept the legal duties of a trustee/director (care, loyalty, obedience). Deep prior governance experience is NOT required.
Desirable
Prior board / chairing experience: previous experience as a trustee, director, chair or board member.
International / cross-border experience: experience working across different identities, geographies and jurisdictions.
Diversity and inclusion
Diversity is central to who Pride Wide is. We actively welcome candidates who broaden the diversity of our leadership, defined broadly – including lived experience, identity, nationality and geography, professional and sector background, age, disability, and socioeconomic background. We particularly encourage applications from people who would bring a perspective currently under-represented on our boards. You do not need to fit a particular profile or tick every box to apply.
Next steps
To apply or have an informal, confidential conversation about this role, please contact [email protected]. For the Chair role we expect to follow an informal conversation with a meeting with members of the board. We are accepting applications until 03 July 2026 aiming for a September 2026 start date.