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Government seeks ‘Transition Trustees’ for new waterways charity

31st Jan 2011

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is seeking to appoint seven ‘transition trustees’ to establish a new ‘national trust’ for the waterways in 2012.

The news follows the Government’s announcement that, as part of its Big Society plans, it would transfer British Waterways as a public body in England and Wales into civil society as a new charitable organisation.

The move, which will create one of the largest charities in the country, is intended to improve the long-term financial sustainability of the nation’s historic canals, rivers and docks and give a greater role to their users and stakeholders. British Waterways cares for the third largest collection of listed structures in the UK and generates investment from a wide range of commercial and partnership projects. There is widespread support for its move into the third sector and strong evidence of the support the country’s waterways are likely to attract under a national charity.

This is a unique opportunity for individuals with significant board level experience in large and complex organisations to contribute to the establishment of a thriving, sustainable waterway network.

Unique opportunity

Details on the vacancies were published in The Sunday Times (30 January) and are also available through the job pages of the Guardian, Cabinet Office and Defra.

The Government is seeking four new Transition Trustees from any sector, but particularly with expertise in business and finance, heritage, navigation and boating, the environment, civil engineering, volunteering, fundraising and community engagement. A further three members of British Waterways’ existing Non-Executive Board will be selected to ensure continuity. Once the charity is fully functioning, it will need to appoint its own Trustees in accordance with its new governance structure, however it is anticipated that the Transition Trustees will form part of the first Board.

Defra has set up an independent Advisory Panel to provide advice to the Secretary of State for the Environment on the appointment of these first trustees. For further information visit the Defra website.

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Last updated: 03/02/2011

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