Finance Trustee

Location: Remote/Hybrid (4-6 in-person meetings in London)

Time Commitment: Approximately 2 days per month (Board meetings, preparation, committee involvement)

Term: 3 years with potential to extend for a second term

Remuneration: Voluntary with reasonable expenses reimbursed

Are you an experienced finance professional who wants to use your skills to support sustainable freedom from modern slavery? 

We are looking for a Finance Trustee to join our Board, strengthen our financial oversight and contribute to effective strategic decision-making.

You will work alongside our trustees, CEO and finance team, and chair our Risk and Finance Committee. 

Our Mission and Strategy

Mission

Founded in 2011 by Sophie Hayes, a British woman trafficked into sexual exploitation overseas, Sophie Hayes Foundation’s work has always been centred around sustainable freedom. Sustainable freedom means freedom from exploitation, slavery, and trafficking; and freedom to look to the future with renewed confidence, rebuilt skills, and a sense of purpose for survivors.

Whilst our mission of sustainable freedom has continued over the last 15 years, forms of exploitation, as well as the landscape of support to survivors of exploitation, has changed beyond recognition. To adapt and respond to this, our new clearly defined and executed mission, coupled with enhanced brand awareness, and with survivor voice at its heart, will enable us to raise awareness, provide leadership, and develop the conversation on modern slavery and human trafficking in the UK.

Freedom from modern slavery, and human trafficking must be achieved through creating a community of survivors whose voices are amplified to challenge assumptions about slavery and trafficking and to work with policymakers and businesses to understand and tackle root causes of the exploitation of vulnerabilities.

We will build on our core strengths to consolidate, expand, and diversify our funding streams for the immediate benefit of our services and the long-term stability and growth of our organisation, opening up and seizing opportunities and partnerships which arise, to expand and improve our support to survivors.

Our strategy will bring stability and transformation, will be created through collaboration and inspirational leadership, will provide foundational support to survivors and empower them as actors for change.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The people that we work with come from all over the world and have a wide variety of beliefs, experiences, and backgrounds. We are committed to sharing in and reflecting this rich diversity amongst our staff, volunteers and trustees and would strongly encourage applicants from minority and under-represented groups, and from those with lived experience. We are committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are.

The role

As a trustee of SHF, you will work collectively with fellow board members to provide financial insight, effective governance, oversight and strategic support to support good Board decision-making.

You will work with the Chair, CEO, finance team/advisers and the Risk and Finance Committee. Day-to-day financial management remains with the Executive Team.

Person specification

• Commitment to SHF’s mission, values, survivor-centred practice, safeguarding and inclusion.
• Understanding of, or willingness to learn about, the modern slavery sector.
• Strong independent judgement and balanced, ethical decision-making.
• Ability to work collaboratively, think strategically and engage constructively with complexity.
• Willingness to devote the necessary time, preparation and engagement to the role.

Time commitment

Trustees are appointed for a three-year term, with an eight-month probation period and the potential for a second three-year term.

The expected commitment is around two days per month, including:

• Quarterly Board meetings in central London, currently weekdays 4.30pm–7.30pm, plus an annual strategy half-day.
• Upcoming Board meeting: Wednesday 2 December 2026; 2027 dates to be confirmed by the end of September.
• Committee meetings four times a year online, currently at 8.00am or 8.30am.
• Attendance at two to three major SHF events each year.

Process and timetable

Please send a CV or LinkedIn profile and covering letter of no more than 1,000 words to boardrecruitment@sophiehayesfoundation.org by midnight on Monday 12th October.

Interview timetable

Thursday 15th October EOP: shortlisted candidates notified.

Tuesday 20th October or Wednesday 21st October 8:30am – 1pm: one-hour preliminary online interview with the trustee nominations panel.

Wednesday 4th November: final in-person panel interviews.

Monday 9th November EOP: candidates notified.

Monday 30th November Post begins.

SHF Board Meeting Wednesday 2nd December at 4:30pm

How to apply: Please email your completed application and CV to boardrecruitment@sophiehayesfoundation.org