Young Trustee recruitment at Wembley National Stadium Trust

Type: Voluntary (with expenses paid)

Location: London

Contract: 3-4 days per year. Trustees are usually appointed for 3 years, which is renewable

About Wembley National Stadium Trust

The Wembley National Stadium Trust (WNST) is an independent charitable grant-making foundation, distributing (pre-covid-19) around £1million per year through programmes which seek to enhance the range and quality of community sport activities available to people of all ages and abilities.   The funding comes from an agreed annual slice/percentage of Wembley Stadium’s income e.g. income generated from hosting events such as concerts, boxing and football matches.

We live in a world rich with a diversity of people and communities, in which we can all improve our physical and mental well-being.  WNST aims to use all of its resources – our money, our people and our knowledge– to help create equitable and inclusive sporting opportunities for individuals, levelling the playing field and breaking down barriers to participation.  WNST is London-based, with a specific interest in the London Borough of Brent, where Wembley Stadium is located, but we also deliver London wide and national programmes through partners, for example we have funded England Cricket Board, England Hockey and England Netball for a London girls programme and EFL Trust to deliver a national disability football programme.

Providing opportunities for young people is a key priority for WNST and the organisations we fund.   To support our decision making reflecting young people we work with, we are now seeking to appoint a new trustee(s), to add fresh skills, knowledge and experience to our Board.  Importantly, we are keen recruit new trustees under the age of 30 (and ideally under 25) to help provide a better connection to young people.

We are also keen to ensure that our Board reflects the wide diversity of the communities we serve, and are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in everything that WNST does from Board Trustees to participants engaging in funded activity.   We are an equal opportunity organisation and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, and appointments will be made based on merit.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in one of the country’s high-profile charitable grant-makers within sports and physical activity.  By getting involved in WNST, it will help you understand and build your knowledge of the role that sport/physical activity can play in promoting better physical and mental well-being, reducing social isolation and improving lives within local communities.

We welcome applications from young people who have an enthusiasm and passion for grassroots sport and physical activity, an interest or experience in equity, diversity and inclusion and confidence to represent young people.

The Board of Trustees is legally responsible for the charity – this is a significant responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly.  Working alongside your fellow Trustees, you will support the decision making and responsibility to ensure that the charity is well run, financially secure and doing the work it is meant to be doing.   You can find out more information about the role of charity’s and Trustees at the Charity Commission.

As well as legal duties, you will also be involved in setting the vision, values and objectives of WNST; developing the strategic direction; be responsible for financial decisions including which grants are funded to organisations applying from across the country; and in representing WNST.

Our expectation is for Trustees to commit to 3-4 meetings per year, held in London, plus the opportunity to visit projects and attend other occasional events.  The role is voluntary but reasonable out-of-pocket expenses are paid.  Mentoring, training and support will be provided to help you fulfil your role as a WNST Trustee, with support from an exceptionally experienced group of Trustees.

Next Steps

  • To apply, send a letter (no more than two sides of A4) or a video (3min max), outlining why this opportunity excites you, any other positions or experience you have to draw on and what you would bring to WNST – to stewart@wnst.org.uk
  • Please include the name and contact details of someone in a position of authority (e.g. a mentor, line manager, coach) that we can talk to you about your application.
  • The deadline for submission is Friday 8th October.
  • For a conversation about the role, please contact the Chair of Trustees, Dinah Cox OBE or Chief Executive Officer, Stewart Goshawk, on 020 7332 1055 / 07944 518065 or email, as above.
  • Please note that WNST is GDPR compliant and you can download our Privacy Statement here.
  • A small number of applicants will be invited for an informal interview to join the WNST board.
  • The successful applicant must comply with WNST safeguarding requirements, including a DBS check and safeguarding training.