The Walcot Foundation has been a part of Lambeth life for centuries. Founded in 1667 by a bequest from Edmund Walcot, we focus on helping children and young people in Lambeth to thrive, and breaking generational cycles of poverty. Proudly place-based, they exist to help people overcome economic, social, educational, structural and systemic disadvantage. Their vision is a Lambeth in which all young people can thrive.

Unfortunately, the need for the Foundation’s support has never been greater. Fully 43% of Lambeth's children are growing up in poverty, and 20% of working people in the Borough are paid less than the London Living Wage. Poverty is no longer experienced as temporary misfortune, where a well-timed helping hand can get someone back onto an even keel; for more and more people, it is an increasingly structural and inescapable burden.

The Foundation think this has to change, and are responding to the challenge with courage and creativity. Their strategy is to develop a system-level approach that addresses the root causes of disadvantage in Lambeth, and have begun to move from traditional grant-making to a longer-term ‘trust-based philanthropy’ approach that focuses on building relationships of parity between the charity and those they support. So there couldn’t be a more exciting to time to join the Foundation as their next Chair.

We’re looking for someone with an unusual blend of skills: a commitment to social change, expressed through a track record of community impact; a sophisticated understanding of charity governance, and a strong portfolio of general leadership skills; and a deft approach to bringing together people with a range of backgrounds and perspectives in the service of a positive vision. Compassionate and openminded, you’ll bring an engaging energy and a genuine interest in seeing the world through the eyes of others.

They are on the cusp of a new chapter in the Foundation’s long and celebrated history, where they can shape a radically new and collaborative vision of their role as part of a wonderful community. If you’re excited by the opportunity to make a direct, lasting and transformative impact on the lives of Lambeth’s young people, we very much look forward to meeting you.

Find out more at www.walcot-chair.co.uk. If you require the candidate materials in an alternative format, or if you have any questions which are not answered on the microsite, please contact us at walcot@cadencepartners.co.uk.

Closing date: midnight, 15 June 2025.