Are you passionate about inspiring the next generation of designers, technologists, problem solvers, innovators and engineers?

The Design & Technology Association is looking for trustees to join the board of this prestigious organisation and contribute to its work, shaping design, engineering and technology education in the UK and helping to inspire more young people to develop critical, creative skills.

Background

The Design & Technology Association is a charity dedicated to the advancement of high-quality education delivered in the UK. It promotes and supports continuous improvement in the delivery of education and training in design, technology and engineering.

Design & Technology is the study of design thinking, creating, and making a better world: innovating new products, services and experiences from concept through to design, manufacture and use. It is part of the English National Curriculum and provides all primary and secondary school pupils with the opportunity to learn about a wide range of industry and societally relevant skills.

The subject offers a unique introduction to the design, creative, engineering, manufacturing, and digital sectors. It prepares young people for a broad and ever-expanding range of exciting career pathways. Students develop higher-level thinking skills, creativity, and technological capabilities, which are critical to meeting future skills needs and local, national and global challenges, such as creating ethical and sustainable futures and addressing complex issues, such as climate change.

Our Board

Our Board of Trustees comprises leading figures from business and education, who are passionate about supporting schools, colleges and universities in developing skillsets that the UK economy and society needs.

We are looking for exceptional individuals with a passion for education and the ability to support the Design and Technology Association as part of its Board of Trustees. This is an opportunity to recruit new talent to further strengthen our knowledge and experience in the following areas:

• Finance – high level oversight to monitor and scrutinise financial performance against our active and proposed annual budgets, as well as our three-year and cashflow forecasts. Applicants do not need to hold finance qualifications but must be experienced in the processes involved in setting and monitoring organisational budgets.

• Fundraising/Funding – experience of fundraising/funding of a similar organisation to provide guidance and support, but to also monitor progress and scrutinize existing bidding arrangements. Applicants should have experience of submitting bids to business/industry and charitable foundations.

• Design/creative industries background – experience and knowledge of the design and creative industries sector to provide helpful insights and contacts within this sector.

If any of the above could be combined with a background in PR and Marketing/Communications that would be desirable.

Trustee role

Our Trustees review and approve the strategy and plans for the Association, providing the high level of governance and oversight that you would expect for a leading UK institution. Trustees are also ambassadors for the Association and promote its activities to key government, education, and industry stakeholders. The Board meets five times a year (a combination of virtual and face-to-face) with several sub-committees, comprised of trustees with an interest or expertise in specific aspects of the Board’s responsibilities.

One of these; the Finance and Audit Committee, meets (virtually) for an additional five times a year, and the newly appointed Trustee with financial expertise would be expected to join and attend this sub-committee; and, potentially, to take on the role of chair after a suitable period of induction.

Details are available on our website for our current trustees, their backgrounds, and the role of the Board

Expenses/supply cover

Travel expenses can be reimbursed for attending Board meetings or events that are attended in trustee capacity. Supply cover cost is available to claim for schools that can release a teacher to attend trustee meetings (£190 for face-to-face meetings and £100 for half day virtual meetings). Trustee roles are voluntary and not remunerated.

Contact/Apply

If you are interested in applying for the role of Trustee of the Design and Technology Association and would like more information, please contact Brenda van Beijnum, Operations and Finance Manager: Direct telephone: 01789 473907 or email brenda.vanbeijnum@designtechnology.org.uk

We will review applications as they come in and progress these with meetings and possibly appointment as ideally new trustees would join our face-to-face Board meeting in Warrington on 21 March. However, we have also set a final deadline for applications of 29 March 2024.