Trustee Treasurer

In a typical year, one in four children in an average classroom will leave primary school unable to read well. These children are more likely to struggle in school and beyond and are at risk of joining the seven million adults in the UK who experience difficulty with basic reading on a daily basis. Literacy affects far more than academic attainment—it underpins the ability to read a road sign, understand a safety manual, complete a job application, or read a medical prescription.

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately affected: four in ten children eligible for free school meals are unable to read well by the age of 11. Poor literacy outcomes are linked to limited employment prospects, poorer health, low self-esteem, and reduced life expectancy.

Bookmark’s mission is simple and urgent: every child should be able to read.

As a leading reading charity for primary-aged children, Bookmark partners with schools to build whole-school reading cultures and deliver one-to-one reading support. Through its flexible, volunteer-led programmes, the charity provides children with the reading skills and confidence they need to access a fair chance in life. Bookmark has successfully delivered the first year of its three-year strategy and is working towards partnering with 1,000 primary schools, enabling 500,000 children to benefit from a Bookmark literacy programme.

Bookmark is seeking to appoint three new Trustees to join its Board:

Treasurer, to support the financial health and statutory responsibilities of the charity

Trustee with experience in AI, digital or technology

Trustee with experience in education or literacy

Applicants with strong skills, experience or knowledge that support the effective and efficient administration of the charity are welcomed. Bookmark is also keen to increase diversity on its Board, in its widest sense, including diversity of background, lived experience, career path and perspective.

Core Trustee responsibilities The duties of a Bookmark Trustee include:

Working collaboratively with fellow Trustees to shape, drive and monitor the charity’s strategy and ensure a clear strategic direction

Preparing for and actively participating in Board meetings and one or more sub-committees or advisory boards, with each Trustee expected to chair a sub-committee or advisory board

Applying relevant skills, knowledge and experience to support effective decision-making, including scrutinising Board papers, leading discussions, and providing guidance on new initiatives

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion at Board level, working with the Senior Leadership Team to improve practice and communicate diversity strategies across staff, volunteers, schools and stakeholders

Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the charity, including appropriate policies and procedures

Ensuring compliance with charity law and all relevant legal and regulatory requirements

Defining organisational goals and evaluating performance against agreed targets

Safeguarding the charity’s reputation, values and public benefit, and promoting the charity externally

Ensuring resources are applied exclusively in pursuit of the charity’s objects

Supporting financial stability, risk management, and the protection and appropriate investment of the charity’s assets

Additional responsibilities – Treasurer The Treasurer will also be responsible for:

Overseeing the charity’s financial health, including budgeting, financial controls, cash flow and reserves

Ensuring compliance with statutory financial reporting requirements and supporting the preparation of the annual report and accounts

Providing oversight of audits and liaising with external auditors or independent examiners

Advising the Board on the financial implications of strategic and operational plans

Overseeing Bookmark’s approach to financial risk management

Essential Relevant experience aligned to the responsibilities outlined above

A strong commitment to social change and to Bookmark Reading Charity’s mission and strategic objectives

A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

An understanding of the charity as a commercially-driven, fast-paced and…