Trustee opportunity
Trustee Recruitment
Help shape the future of Trade Justice
Transform Trade is seeking new Trustees to join our Board at a moment of significant opportunity in our journey. We are currently looking to appoint up to four new Trustees as part of a planned and thoughtful programme of Board renewal and leadership succession.
As part of this process, the Board is also beginning to plan for the future transition of its Chair, creating an opportunity to strengthen the Board's leadership over the coming years while ensuring continuity, stability and effective governance.
For over 40 years, we have worked alongside producers, workers and their organisations to challenge unfair trading systems and support alternatives that enable people and communities to thrive. Today, we are entering a new phase of ambition, building on this legacy to accelerate efforts to transform the systems and relationships that shape global trade.
As the global context shifts across trade, development and the wider political economy, there is growing momentum behind more locally led, equitable and sustainable approaches. This creates both urgency and opportunity for organisations like Transform Trade to deepen impact and help shape what comes next.
In this context, we are looking for committed and thoughtful individuals to join our Board. Trustees will play a key role in guiding the organisation through its next phase of development, strengthening governance, supporting long-term strategic direction, and contributing to the Board's future leadership as part of our succession planning.
We are particularly interested in individuals with expertise in finance, audit and risk, funding, income generation and partnerships, communications and public engagement, though we also welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
This is an opportunity to contribute to an organisation that is helping to transform global trade systems and reimagine international development through locally led approaches, participatory funding, accompaniment and systems change.
We would be delighted to hear from individuals who are motivated by this opportunity to help shape that future.
About Transform Trade
Transform Trade works with producers, workers, social enterprises and civil society organisations to create fairer, more sustainable trading systems.
We support people to develop and scale alternative business models that prioritise people and planet, while also influencing the policies, practices and market systems that shape opportunities and outcomes for producers and workers.
Transform Trade has its origins within the Traidcraft movement, which is shaped in part by a Christian response to poverty and economic injustice. Transform Trade is a values-led organisation working with people of all faiths and none, this heritage continues to inform our commitment to justice, dignity and fairness in global trade.
Our current strategic priorities focus on:
• Strengthening producer-led businesses and social enterprises, and supporting fairer and more sustainable supply chains
• Influencing trade, climate and economic policies
• Growing public support for trade justice
• Building participatory models that shift decision-making power closer to communities
• Working across three key sectors: small-scale agriculture, garments/fashion, and tea
• Strengthening our organisational effectiveness and resilience, ensuring we have the systems, leadership and culture needed to deliver high-quality work and sustain impact
Our vision is a world where all people are valued in trade; where everyone can earn a fair living free from exploitation; and where trade protects the planet we all depend on.
Why trade justice matters now
We are operating in a period of significant global economic and political change. Traditional models of international development are under pressure, with reductions in aid budgets and increasing recognition that long-term, systemic change requires more sustainable and locally led approaches.
At the same time, trade is becoming a more prominent part of global economic and political debate. From shifts in supply chains to rising attention on tariffs, regulation and economic sovereignty, there is growing recognition that trade policy and systems play a critical role in shaping poverty, inequality and opportunity. In this context, trade justice is more relevant than ever.
Transform Trade works to address the structural conditions that keep people in poverty within global trade systems. We support producer-led solutions, stronger and fairer supply chains, and policy and market change that shifts power closer to those most affected.
We believe this moment presents both urgency and opportunity: urgency to confront persistent inequality in global trade, and opportunity to help shape more equitable, resilient and sustainable systems for the future.
This evolving context is shaping how we think about our role, our partnerships and our governance.
A distinctive organisation
Transform Trade is recognised as part of a growing movement reshaping how international development is practised.
We are intentionally moving beyond traditional delivery models towards a role as:
An advocate for more equitable systems
A facilitator, connector and accompanier of locally led change
A resource partner
Our grant-making and partnerships increasingly seek to place resources, decision-making and influence closer to the people and organisations most affected by the issues we work on.
This commitment is reflected not only in our programmes and partnerships, but also in how we think about leadership and governance.
With a Kenya-based CEO, an internationally distributed team and partnerships across Africa and Asia, we are continuing to build governance structures that reflect both our global mission and our responsibilities as a UK-registered charity.
Governance and organisational structure
Transform Trade was originally established in 1986 as Traidcraft Exchange, as part of the wider Traidcraft movement. While our legal name remains Traidcraft Exchange, we operate under the name Transform Trade, adopted in 2022.
Transform Trade is an independent UK charity. The Traidcraft Foundation is a separate charitable trust that has historically played a governance role in relation to Traidcraft Exchange/Transform Trade, including appointing trustees and safeguarding the organisation’s founding principles and Christian heritage. The Foundation also currently holds ownership of the Traidcraft brand, which is licensed exclusively to Transform Trade.
Following the closure of Traidcraft Plc in 2023, the wider governance arrangements are being reviewed, including the future role of the Foundation.
As Transform Trade continues to evolve as an internationally focused UK charity, we are committed to ensuring our governance remains transparent, proportionate and fit for the future, while respecting the organisation's heritage and values.
The Role of the Board
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance, effectiveness and strategic direction of Transform Trade.
Working collectively, Trustees ensure the organisation remains focused on its mission, financially sustainable, well governed and accountable to its stakeholders.
Trustees provide strategic oversight and independent judgement while supporting and constructively challenging the Chief Executive and senior leadership team.
The Board’s responsibilities include:
Stewarding organisational purpose, values and strategy
Safeguarding financial sustainability and organisational assets
Providing oversight of risk, compliance and performance
Promoting integrity, accountability and inclusion
Ensuring effective governance and Board effectiveness
Supporting organisational reputation and external relationships
Championing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and responsible use of power
Board renewal and the expertise we are seeking
As part of a planned programme of Board renewal, we are seeking to strengthen the Board’s collective expertise, perspectives and lived experience.
We are looking to complement and deepen existing skills in the following areas:
1. Finance, Audit and Risk
Senior experience in financial management, audit and assurance, investment oversight, risk management and/or organisational stewardship.
We are particularly interested in individuals who can support the Board to take a strategic view of long-term financial sustainability, including experience of complex or multi-stream funding environments, scenario planning, and stewardship of organisational resources in a values-led context.
2. Funding, Income generation and Partnerships
Experience developing and overseeing diverse income strategies across a range of funding models. This may include trusts and foundations, major donors and philanthropy, institutional funding, corporates, and increasingly blended and alternative approaches such as earned income, social enterprise models, catalytic finance and strategic partnerships.
We are particularly interested in individuals who understand how funding landscapes are evolving, and who can help the organisation think creatively and strategically about building a resilient and diversified income base aligned with mission and values.
3. Communications and Public Engagement
Senior experience in strategic communications, public affairs, media engagement, campaigns, reputation management and/or audience development, including experience of how digital platforms and tools can be used to strengthen reach, engagement and influence.
We are particularly interested in individuals who understand how narrative, framing and influence contribute to systems change, and who can help strengthen Transform Trade’s visibility, credibility and public engagement across traditional and digital channels.
Additional areas of interest
We would also welcome experience in:
Trade, economic justice or ethical business, including their intersections with climate and environmental sustainability
Private sector engagement, social enterprise and impact investing, including experience of building partnerships and developing sustainable, market-based approaches to social impact
Governance and organisational transformation
Social justice movements
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)
Who we are looking for
We are seeking individuals who bring:
Commitment to Transform Trade’s mission, vision and values
Strategic thinking and sound judgement
The ability to balance support and constructive challenge
Experience operating at senior leadership, executive or governance level
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
Curiosity, humility and openness to learning
Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
An appreciation of the distinction between governance and operational management
Ability to work constructively within a charity shaped by the origins of the Traidcraft movement
We recognise that strong governance benefits from a diversity of experiences, perspectives and lived realities, and we actively welcome applicants who may be considering their first trustee role.
Building a diverse and effective board
Transform Trade is committed to ensuring that our governance evolves alongside our mission and values.
We are seeking a Board that brings together a rich mix of professional expertise, geographical perspectives, lived experience and sector knowledge. As a UK-registered charity with an international mission, we believe effective governance requires both a strong understanding of our UK regulatory responsibilities and meaningful connection to the contexts, communities and movements that shape global trade justice.
We welcome applications from candidates based in the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia and other regions, who share our commitment to trade justice and can contribute to thoughtful, accountable and inclusive decision-making.
We are particularly keen to hear from people and communities who are underrepresented in charity governance and leadership, including those with lived experience of the issues we work on.
Time commitment
The role is voluntary and unpaid.
Reasonable expenses incurred on Board business will be reimbursed.
Trustees are normally appointed for an initial term of three years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further term.
The anticipated commitment is approximately 10 –12 days per year and includes:
Four Board meetings annually (held virtually)
One in-person Board retreat every two years
Participation in at least one Board committee or Working group
Preparation and review of Board papers
Strategic discussions and occasional external engagement on behalf of Transform Trade
We are committed to ensuring Trustees receive a comprehensive induction and ongoing support to contribute effectively.
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to contribute to an organisation with a long history of challenging injustice and a clear ambition for the future.
You will join a committed Board and leadership team working to create fairer systems of trade, strengthen producer-led alternatives and support a more equitable and sustainable global economy.
If you are excited by the opportunity to contribute your skills, experience and judgement to this work, we would be delighted to hear from you.
How to apply
Please submit:
A CV or professional profile; and
A supporting statement (maximum two pages) explaining:
Why you are interested in joining the Board
What you would bring to Transform Trade
How your experience aligns with the needs of the organisation
You may also choose to submit a short video or audio statement (up to 5 minutes) in place of a written supporting statement if you prefer.
Applications should be submitted to: recruitment@transform-trade.org
Closing date: Wednesday 16 September 2026
Recruitment process (indicative)
As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted applicants may be invited to an informal conversation with a member of the nominations committee and Chief Executive before formal interviews.
We anticipate the recruitment process will take place as follows:
Applications close: Wednesday 16 September 2026
Informal conversations with shortlisted candidates: Late September to early October
Interviews with the nominations committee (virtual): 13-24 October 2026
Board conversation with final candidates (virtual): Thursday 29 October 2026
Formal appointments at the Annual General Meeting: Tuesday 1 December 2026
Please note that these dates are indicative and may be subject to change.