Position Description

Stepping in at the helm of a well-established Board, and working closely with the highly experienced Executive Director, this new Chair will lead My Life Films through its next phase of growth and impact.

The new Chair will review and reinvigorate the charity’s governance, ideally including a board audit, as well as challenging and interrogating the group’s strategic plan.

This role will suit potential candidates who are ready to step-up to chair a not for profit organisation. This means they are likely to bring current or previous board experience as a non-executive or trustee. Candidates may have experience in the care sector, health sector, charity or foundation, possibly an organisation involved in supporting people living with dementia. This experience could enable candidates to draw on networks in the care, health, charity, voluntary sectors, social enterprise or foundation. It will be important that the new Chair can demonstrate a personal passion and commitment to improving the lives of people living with dementia. 

The Chair will also help guide the Executive in optimising the existing model, developing new opportunities by helping expand networks and making introductions when necessary. They will act as a critical friend to Executive Director, coaching and challenging as required and providing leadership and strategic direction to the Board.

They will hold the organisation to the highest ethical standards, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and that My Life Films is run in the best interests of its stakeholders.

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the charity and is collectively responsible for its success. All trustees must take decisions in the interests of the charity. 

My Life Films has a trading subsidiary – MLF Productions Limited – and it is expected that the Chair of My Life Films will also Chair the trading company.

Selection Criteria

When applying, we ask candidates to highlight any areas of expertise they can bring in the areas identified below. 

• Skills and Experience – 

Governance / leadership

• Any experience of operating at Board level in the voluntary, public or private sector.
• Understanding of good charity governance, including trustees’ legal duties, financial oversight and risk management. 
• Experience of chairing effective meetings and facilitating inclusive, robust discussion and decision-makingExperience of fundraising, advocacy, campaigning, or working with regulators, commissioners or major funders. 

Strategy and finance

• Ability to think strategically, interrogate complex information and focus the Board on priorities, impact and long-term sustainability. 
• Strong financial literacy and ability to scrutinize budgets, management accounts and risk registers (not necessarily as a finance professional). 

People leadership

• Track record of leading senior individuals or teams; able to coach, support and hold to account a CEO

Board composition

• Shona Clegg
• Julian Freeston
• Emma Hewat
• Alexander Kann
• Georgina Lestini
• Carolin-Marie Roth
• Maana Ruia
• Sylvia Woon

Please click here – Trustees – to learn more about the Board. 

How to Apply

If you are interested in the role, Maana Ruia a trustee with My Life Films and a member of Enter The Boardroom Community would be happy to fix up a time to talk to you. Please get in touch via maana_ruia@hotmail.com 

Please submit your application to Julian Freeston julian.freeston@gmail.com?

The application should comprise a Cover Letter detailing your suitability and desire for the role (no more than two pages) and an up-to-date CV (no more than four pages).

The application deadline is 5pm, 3rd April 2026 with appointment expected early June. 

Diversity & Inclusion

Dementia is a universal concern and we want our Board and team to draw from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to create services to support all people affected by dementia.

My Life Films welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. Applications from under-represented groups would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs we can support during the interview process.