James Reckitt Library Trust Seeks New Trustee
30th August 2023
A vacancy has arisen for a trustee to join the Board of the James Reckitt Library Trust.
The Trust, which is an independent body regulated by the Charity Commission, controls and manages a charitable endowment established by Sir James Reckitt in 1892. This endowment exists to help develop public library provision throughout the city of Kingston upon Hull.
The projects and activities funded by the Trust are designed to stimulate a love of reading and learning, particularly among children and young people, to encourage those who might not normally use public library services to do so, and to raise awareness of what modern public libraries can offer. In the past fifteen years it has made grants amounting to more than £6 million to support the development of a wide range of innovative library services in Hull.
The Trust has also developed a strategic consultancy role, and in recent years has made a series of bold interventions into thinking about the future of public libraries. Our views have attracted national and international interest.
As a Trustee you will use your specific knowledge and expertise to assist the Board of Trustees to make sound decisions about the management of the endowment and the award of grants. You will be expected to contribute to the management of the Trust, to help implement its strategic initiatives, and to act as a champion for both the Trust and public libraries. You will need to become familiar with the Trust’s strategic thinking.
For an introduction to the generic role of a Trustee, please refer to the Charity Commission’s publication Charity Trustee: what’s involved. This can be found at:
The role of Trustee is voluntary. The Trust meets four times a year in person in Hull and holds additional virtual meetings during the year. Trustees can expect to be involved from time to time in other meetings and activities with partners and stakeholders in the city.
We welcome applications from candidates with the relevant skills and experience to undertake the role effectively, and who have a strong commitment to the role of public libraries in the 21st century. In the case of this specific appointment, we are particularly interested in candidates with experience of strategic leadership in private, public or voluntary sector organisations. Candidates will also need to be knowledgeable about Hull, and be readily available to attend meetings in the city. In making an appointment, the Trust will take account of its commitment to increasing the diversity of the Board.
If you are interested in applying for this role, please email a statement detailing your relevant skills and experience, and setting out your reasons for wishing to become a Trustee, to: Louise Hawkins, Clerk to the Board of Trustees, ([email protected]).
The closing date for applications is Friday 6 October 2023. It is expected that interviews will take place on 24 October with an appointment to be made with effect from 21 January 2024.
If you wish to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Richard Heseltine, Chair of Trustees ([email protected]).
