Chair & 3x Trustees The Sheppard Trust

Welcome from the Chair

I have been Chair of Sheppard Trust for over ten years and during this time we found a site in Hampton Court, sold our properties in Holland Park which whilst they had served their purpose for many years, had become unsustainable to meet the aspirations we wanted for our residents.

Our building project has taken over three years and in September 2026, we proudly took completion and starting moving in both current and new residents.  It is now time for myself and some of the other Trustees to move on and we are now seeking a new Chair and Trustees to take the charity forward.

This is an exciting time for Sheppard Trust, moving into a new phase of our development and you will play an important part in this.

It has been my privilege to serve as Chair, supported by an outstanding Board and we all know we leave Sheppard Trust in a very good state with an exciting future ahead.

Linda Davis
Chair
Sheppard Trust

Accessibility information

We understand that different members of the community have different access needs and have made some modifications to the way we do business to accommodate people from diverse communities and abilities. We offer the following amenities:

• Step free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms, and an accessible workstation
• Accessibility dogs are welcome
• Papers and materials can be presented in different formats

About the role

This is an important opportunity to lead The Sheppard Trust’s Board as we move from a significant period of development and expansion into one focused on operational delivery, strategic planning and long-term sustainability.

Working closely with fellow Trustees and the leadership team, our new Chair will provide strategic, inclusive and values-driven leadership, ensuring that residents remain at the heart of our decisions.

You will:

• Lead an effective, collaborative Board and promote high standards of governance, accountability and constructive challenge
• Help shape and oversee the Trust’s long-term strategic direction
• Provide appropriate oversight of our finances, investments, property assets and organisational resilience
• Develop a trusted, supportive and appropriately challenging relationship with the leadership team
• Act as an ambassador for the Trust, building relationships with residents, partners and other stakeholders.

Time commitment

This is an active Chair role requiring meaningful engagement beyond formal Board meetings. We anticipate a commitment of approximately one day per week, including:

• six Board meetings each year and an annual away day, held in person;
• regular meetings with the Chief Executive, typically weekly;
• participation in Board committees and occasional working groups;
• trustee recruitment, succession planning and Board development;
• site visits, resident engagement and stakeholder meetings; and
• preparation for Board and committee meetings and occasional external representation.

Board meetings are held in person, and the Chair will need to maintain a visible presence within the Trust. We are therefore looking for someone who is reasonably local to Hampton Court and able to attend regularly.

Who are we looking for

We are looking for an experienced and thoughtful leader who combines strong governance capability with empathy, sound judgement and a genuine commitment to our purpose.

You will bring:

• Significant Board or senior leadership experience and a strong understanding of good governance
• Previous experience as a Trustee, Non-Executive Director or member of a governing body
• Experience of chairing Boards, committees or senior decision-making groups, or clear evidence that you are ready to step into a Chair role
• Strategic thinking and the ability to help an organisation navigate change and determine its future direction
• Commercial aptitude and confidence considering strategy, risk, finance, safeguarding and performance
• The ability to build strong relationships while providing both support and constructive challengE
• A collaborative, inclusive and emotionally intelligent leadership style.

We are open to different professional backgrounds. Experience of housing, almshouses, property, charities, older people’s services, financial stewardship or other social-purpose organisations would be valuable, as would strong local knowledge and connections.

Above all, you will have empathy with older people and share our commitment to independence, dignity and community.

About the role

Our Trustees play an important role in ensuring The Sheppard Trust remains well governed, financially sustainable and focused on its charitable purpose. As we establish our new community and consider the Trust’s future direction, our three new Trustees will bring fresh perspectives, expertise and independent judgement to the Board.

Working collectively with fellow Trustees and our leadership team, you will:

• Contribute to the development and oversight of our long-term strategy
• Provide informed challenge and contribute to decisions about risk, performance, assets and resources
• Help us respond to changing resident needs and opportunities for future community impact
• Ensure residents and their wellbeing remain at the heart of Board decision-making
• Act as an ambassador for the Trust and its mission.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for three new Trustees with different and complementary skills and perspectives. You do not need to bring experience across all of our priority areas. Collectively, we want to strengthen the Board for the next stage of The Sheppard Trust’s development.

We are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience in one or more of:

• Housing, almshouses or supported housing
• Property, development, construction or asset management
• Legal services and governance
• Community engagement and place-based development
• Health, social care or services supporting older people.

Alongside your professional or lived experience, you will bring strategic thinking, good judgement and strong interpersonal skills. You will be comfortable contributing your perspective, asking thoughtful questions and providing constructive challenge while working collaboratively with others.

You will share our commitment to older women in housing need and understand the importance of independence, dignity and community.

We welcome both experienced Trustees and people seeking their first Board appointment, and particularly value perspectives and experiences that will broaden the Board’s understanding of the communities we serve.

Time commitment

The anticipated commitment is approximately one day per month, including:

• Attendance at six Board meetings each year, held in person
• Participation in at least one committee or working group
• Preparation for Board and committee meetings
• Occasional site visits, resident events and strategic planning sessions
• Participation in Board development and stakeholder engagement where appropriate.

Board meetings are held in person in Hampton Court, and Trustees are encouraged to develop a strong understanding of the Trust through engagement with residents, colleagues and fellow Trustees.