Chair and Trustee
Voluntary role • Meetings held in London / remote
After experiencing the trauma of war, violence and persecution, refugees have been forced to leave everything behind. The loss of the life you have always known is crushing. Refugees want to feel safe and stable again. But finding and settling into a new community when you don’t know anyone is harder than most of us can imagine.
As the nation’s refugee charity, the Refugee Council’s response is simple. Together with community groups, partners and volunteers, we help people who have escaped war and persecution to rebuild their lives, integrate into communities, and play their part in Britain. Since 1951, we have offered a steadfast vision of decency and compassion, rooted in dignity and shaped by the belief that everyone deserves the chance to live in stability and to thrive.
We have undertaken a significant process of transformation and consolidation over the past year, including new systems and structures. We are delighted that Katie Ghose will take up the helm as our new Chief Executive in the autumn, with a focus on completing this essential organisational work whilst also looking outward and forward, creating an inspirational vision for how we work with refugees, the new government, partners across the sector and beyond, local communities, and society at large.
So it’s a great time to join our Board, shaping the organisation’s future and helping to create a more compassionate and effective environment for people seeking safety in the UK. Whether you are interested in becoming our Chair or a Trustee, we want to hear from candidates who have a good understanding of charity governance, of charity finances, and of the context in which we work; who are courageous, inclusive and values-led; who recognise both the seriousness and the opportunity of joining the Refugee Council.
Personal refugee experience is a critical part of the insight and human understanding on which our strategy is built. We would love to hear from candidates with lived experience of the refugee system.
Please visit https://www.shape-refugeecouncil.co.uk/ to find out more and to apply. If you need candidate materials in an alternative format or have questions not covered on the microsite, please contact Cadence Partners at refugeecouncil-chair@cadencepartners.co.uk
Closing date: Sunday 6th September 2026
We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you require any adjustments to participate fully, please contact us.
If you have any questions about the role or your application after reviewing the candidate materials, please get in touch.
Please ensure you have carefully read the ‘How to Apply’ section in the candidate materials before completing this form.
Some questions in this form relate to equal opportunities monitoring. These responses are anonymous and not shared with the hiring panel or used in shortlisting decisions. They help us understand the diversity of people engaging with our process, monitor how effective our approach is, and ensure we’re achieving what we set out to do. You can always choose “prefer not to say” if you wish.
If you have any questions about the role or your application after reviewing the candidate materials, please get in touch.