A key way to help Coeliac UK is to become a Trustee of the charity. This is a voluntary role, but one that is both challenging and rewarding. It is similar to being a director of a commercial company.

The overall responsibility for the work of Coeliac UK lies with the Board of Trustees. They set the strategy, agree objectives and monitor and evaluate progress to ensure the charity's aims are delivered and that we achieve what we set out to do. The Trustees ensure Coeliac UK operates to a high standard of governance and act as guardians of the charity's assets. The Board is held to account by the membership at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at which it presents the Trustees' report and the financial accounts for the previous year.

The Board may comprise up to nine elected members, two co-opted and one nominated from the Health Advisory Council. The elected members are voted in by the membership at the Annual General Meeting for a three year term of office. They may serve no more than two consecutive three year terms.

Could you be our next Trustee?

For over 50 years, Coeliac UK have been the experts on coeliac disease and the gluten free diet. We help people living without gluten to live happier, healthier lives. 

We do this by providing our 60,000 plus members and around 1 million stakeholders with trustworthy advice and support, funding critical research into coeliac disease, working with healthcare professionals to improve diagnosis and championing better availability of gluten free food. We do it all so that one day, no one’s life will be limited by gluten. 

We have an income of approximately £4m and a team of around 55 staff, all led by our highly experienced CEO. The charity is governed and guided by a team of volunteer Trustees who provide their expertise and insight to help drive the charity forward. 

We have vacancies coming up for two Trustees committed to what we do, and able to contribute to our complex agenda in a fast changing environment. 

We are ideally looking for Trustees with experience in law (corporate/trademark/IP), food industry (manufacturing/retailing), and research (medical/scientific). If you also have charity sector experience, so much the better. However, if you think you have any helpful experience for us, please do apply. Even if your skills aren’t exactly what we are looking for in a Trustee right now, this can change, and meanwhile you may be able to help us in other ways. 

It’s an exciting time to join us as we think about our next strategic phase and what we need to do to increase our effectiveness and impact for our beneficiaries. 
We are a friendly, supportive and committed organisation, ultimately, all working to one common goal – to end coeliac disease. Meanwhile, there is lots to do to help our community. 

Appropriate training and inductions are provided and all reasonable out of pocket expenses are reimbursed.

Applicants do not need to be a member of Coeliac UK to apply for this appointment. Applicants are invited to submit their CV and covering letter to chiefexec@coeliac.org.uk. Closing date is 31 May 2024 but the charity may close the opportunity sooner if a high volume of applications is received.