The Whiteley Homes Trust
Trustee Recruitment
at Whiteley Village
Becoming a Trustee at Whiteley
The Trustee board has been recruited to provide specific skills and experience. Trustees are appointed for an initial term of three years with the option to renew for a second term by mutual agreement. A Trustee role for a charity has the same responsibilities as being a Non-Executive Director for a company, providing oversight of the organisation’s performance, ethics, finances and risks. It is the Trustee’s role to ensure the Charity complies with charity law, that it is well run and in good financial shape. It should be delivering its charitable objectives to the best of its ability.
The Board maintains a broad overview of the Trust’s strategic challenges and adopts strategies to drive the organisation forward to achieve long- term goals. The strategies to be delivered by the Executive fall under the leadership of our Chief Executive, Amina Graham.
Background
Whiteley Village in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, is a historic almshouse community for older people of limited financial means. There are over 400 residents who are mainly, but not all retired. The village was established at the bequest of William Whiteley, the founder of Whiteley’s department store in London, with £1 million to provide for the purchase of land and the erection thereon, “of buildings to be used and occupied by aged poor persons of either sex as homes in their old age”.
The village is owned and managed by The Whiteley Homes Trust, one of the oldest charities in Surrey, which was founded in 1907. Believed to be the first purpose-built retirement village in the UK, building began on the 225-acre site in 1914 and the first resident, Eliza Palmer, moved into her cottage on 10th October 1917. Designed in the arts and crafts style around an octagon, Whiteley Village is a conservation area with over 260 Grade II-listed almshouse cottages and other buildings, many beautiful green spaces, a lake and extensive woodland. The first trustees originally planned for twice the number of almshouses on the estate, but the charity ran out of money. It is part of our future ambition to fulfil their original vision.
Most residents at Whiteley Village live independently in one- and two-bedroom cottages. For those who need more support, the Village offers Huntley House – Surrey’s first extra care facility, with 51 apartments.
Community is very important to everyone living and working at Whiteley Village, and there are numerous clubs and activities, most of which are organised and run by residents themselves, supported by the Trust. The village also features various sporting facilities, a shop and Post Office, a church, clubhouse and bar and a village hall. Our charity is working towards a model of co-production, where appropriate, to encourage and enable greater involvement by our beneficiaries in the development and delivery of their services and other activities. Part of the estate is also let to outside sports clubs and pre-school nurseries, providing valuable income for our charity.
Who are we looking for?
All trustees are collectively responsible for the strategy and governance of the Trust. In addition we look for one or more of the following specialist areas of knowledge and experience. If you fit one of these areas and are interested in finding out about being a trustee at The Whiteley Homes Trust, we would like to hear from you.
Finance
A qualified accountant who can demonstrate the ability to, and experience of, operating at a board level. Sector experience is less important, although housing or charity experience would be useful.
Housing regulation
Experience of operating in an organisation regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing. The Whiteley Homes Trust became a Registered Provider of social housing in May 2024. This brings new reporting and other regulatory requirements which are being implemented at the Trust.
Estate management
The village is set in 220 acres of parks and woodland. Experience of land management or tree management would be helpful.
Asset and facilities management
Experience of maintaining an extensive property estate, with planned and unscheduled maintenance, particularly listed properties as Whiteley Village is Grade 1 listed.
Community engagement and fundraising are also areas of interest.
What’s involved in being a trustee?
Trustees’ main responsibilities:
- Act as guardians of The Whiteley Homes Trust’s vision, principles and our charitable objects
- Are active members of the Board in exercising its responsibilities and functions and serve on Committees or groups as appointed by the Board
- Use their specific knowledge or experience to help the Board reach sound decisions
- Contribute at four Board meetings per annum, and on a committee as appropriate
- Contribute at a Board Strategy Day and annual board dinner
- Take personal responsibility for developing a particular understanding of a key aspect of the Trust’s activities
The current committee structure is as follows:
- Housing Property and Asset Committee; Healthy Communities Together Committee; Finance & Audit Committee and Renumeration Committee
- In addition, there is a Health & Safety Committee and a Clinical Governance Committee
Trustees are encouraged to attend events in the Village throughout the year. Trustees are voluntary, that is, unpaid, although reasonable travel expenses may be reimbursed.
Equal Opportunities
Whiteley Homes Trust is committed to equal opportunities for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.
Meet our current Board of Trustees here. (link back to ‘Chair and Executives’ page)
If you are interested in finding out more, please email: jobs@whiteleyviallge.org.uk and we can arrange an informal discussion with a current Trustee.
Find out more
If you’d like to find out more about Whiteley Village, our facilities or our services, please call us on