The Role of Trustee at the Marr-Munning Trust
The Marr-Munning Trust is an independent grantmaking charity. We make grants totalling around £400,000 a year to charities/NGOs – currently focusing our support on the education of children and improving people’s ability to earn a sustainable income.
The Trust derives its income from rental properties it owns and a portfolio of listed investments. We are a small organisation with two staff – a Director, who overseas the day to day running of the Trust, and a Property Officer who manages the Trust’s rental property investments. The board of Trustees and Director work closely on all areas of operations and there is scope for trustees with individual interests or expertise to engage further outside of meetings if they wish
The charity was established in 1970 by Frank Harcourt-Munning – “for the relief of poverty, suffering and distress” overseas. He placed everything he had into the Trust, including his own home and all his other properties and spare cash, and he then spent the remaining years of his life running the Trust until his death in 1985.
As we are an incorporated charity (ie both a charity and a company limited by guarantee) the people appointed under this recruitment process will become trustees and company directors.
We currently have 6 trustees:
- Edith Parker – Chair
- Andrew MacCormack – Treasurer
- Wendy Tabuteau – Vice Chair
- Stewart Hicks
- Diletta Morinello
- Alison Mckinley
We need people who can help us to achieve our mission and ensure the organisation is effectively managed. You must be able to make a commitment to the Trust and devote the necessary time to the role – as well as have strategic vision, independent judgement, an ability to think creatively and a willingness to speak your mind.
Our offices are based in Ealing Broadway and the successful candidate will be expected to join the rest of the board here for in-person meetings 6 times a year.
We see trusteeship as a partnership, not a volunteer ‘job’ so we don’t run competitive recruitment rounds. We accept expressions of interest on a rolling basis and trustees review submissions quarterly. If you are interested in becoming a trustee please complete a form using the button at the bottom of this page. If the trustees think you would be a good fit for the Trust, the first stage would be a phone call with the Director and one trustee, then based on how both parties feel, an invitation to observe a trustee meeting and meet the other trustees.
The duties of The Marr-Munning Trust’s trustees are:
- To ensure that the Trust complies with its governing document, company and charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations;
- To ensure the Trust applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects;
- To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to the Trust, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets;
- To protect and ensure the proper management of MMT’s property portfolio and any other assets, and to ensure the proper investment of the Trust’s funds;
- To safeguard the good name and values of the Trust;
- To represent the Trust at functions and meetings as appropriate;
- To declare any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a trustee;
- To be collectively responsible for the actions of the Trust;
- To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Trust;
- To ensure the financial stability of the Trust;
- To make sure the Trust is properly insured against all reasonable liabilities;
- To appoint and support the Director and monitor her/his performance;
- In addition to the above statutory duties of all trustees, each trustee should use any specific knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This will involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, and providing advice and guidance requested by the Board on new initiatives, or other issues relevant to the Trust’s work in which the trustee has special expertise;
- To attend meetings, and to read papers in advance of meetings;
- To attend sub-committee meetings as appropriate;
- To participate in other tasks as arise from time to time, such as interviewing new staff or trustees, mentoring new trustees, helping with beneficiary liaison and monitoring etc;
- To keep informed about the activities of the Trust and wider issues which affect its work.
- Eligible to serve as a trustee;
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship;
- A commitment to the Trust and willingness to devote the necessary time and effort;
- Strategic perspective;
- Good communication and interpersonal skills;
- Good, independent judgement;
- An ability to think creatively;
- A willingness to speak his or her mind;
- An ability to work effectively as a member of a team;
- Adherence to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
- Such other specialist skills or experience as the Board may identify from time to time. Currently the Board is seeking to appoint members with experience and expertise in impact measurement for international development.
To learn more about trustee responsibilities, we recommend reading the Charity Commission guidance below.
