Position Description

AAT is seeking to appoint one Trustee Board member, who will serve as a charity trustee, a non-executive director, and a member of the Finance and Performance Committee.

Candidate profile

As a charity trustee, you will share collective responsibility for the overall governance and strategic direction of AAT. This includes ensuring the organisation effectively fulfils its mission, maintains strong financial stewardship, and operates in line with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

You will work collaboratively with fellow Trustees to shape AAT’s future, safeguard its assets, and maximise its impact for members, students and the wider profession.

Trustees are expected to draw on their skills, experience and sound judgement to support effective decision-making. This may involve leading or contributing to discussions, identifying key issues, offering insight on new initiatives, and providing advice in areas where you hold particular expertise.

The legal responsibilities of Trustees are set out in charity and company law, where they are referred to respectively as ‘trustees’ and ‘company directors’. Board members may be AAT members or independent appointees.

Responsibilities of Board members

• Contribute to the Board’s role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Ensure the charity complies with its governing document, charity law, company law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Ensure the charity pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.

Selection Criteria

Knowledge and experience

• Understanding of charity governance, the role of trustees and knowledge of the charity sector and current issues affecting it.
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a trustee.
• A broad experience of good governance in business, the public sector or not-for-profit organisations.
• Awareness of the social, political, and economic context in which the charity operates.
• Understanding of financial management and charity accounting practices.
• Previous board or committee experience (as part of a formal corporate governance structure), with the ability to think independently and challenge constructively.
• Experience in a leadership or management role, including the resilience and ability to make difficult decisions.

Specific Finance and Performance Committee experience

• Financial management or accounting expertise.
• Experience in investment management or oversight.
• Strong financial literacy.
• Ability to interpret investment reports.
• Understanding of organisational performance frameworks.

Skills and qualities

• Commitment to equality and diversity principles and embedding them in decision making.
• Strategic vision and the ability to focus on practical issues.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Digital literacy and comfort with using technology for board work.
• Open-mindedness and willingness to learn.
• Enthusiasm for the role and its responsibilities.

Essential legal requirement

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Be properly appointed according to the charity’s governing document.
• Not be disqualified by law, which includes:
  • having an unspent conviction for certain offences
  • being subject to a bankruptcy order or undischarged bankrupt
  • being disqualified as a company director
  • having been removed as a trustee by the Charity Commission or the court

How to Apply

For full details, please read the recruitment pack at https://www.aat.org.uk/files/aat-board-members-advert.pdf.

Applications should be submitted by emailing governance@aat.org.uk (reference: AAT Board member role 2026).
Please ensure to include:

• your CV
• cover letter

The closing date for applications is 18.00 on Monday 13 April 2026.

As a Disability Confident employer, we will guarantee an interview for people with disabilities who meet all the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please let us know.