Help Shape the Future of St Andrew’s First Aid
St Andrew’s First Aid is inviting a new charity Trustee Finance Lead to join the Board at an important stage of its journey.
The charity’s purpose is simple. To save lives.
Every day, through volunteers and training, St Andrew’s First Aid provides first aid where and when it is needed across Scotland. The charity is strengthening the organisation, modernising how it works, and delivering a refreshed strategy and vision for the years ahead.
Who We Are and Why We Matter
St Andrew’s First Aid is Scotland’s dedicated first aid charity and the country’s leading provider of first aid training and event first aid services. Its role is to equip people with the skills, confidence and support to act in an emergency.
The charity delivers impact through a clear and sustainable dual model. Each year, St Andrew’s First Aid trains people in first aid, health and safety and mental health first aid, working with employers, public sector organisations, schools and individuals across Scotland.
Alongside this, its volunteer network provides first aid cover at events of all sizes, from major national occasions to local community events. More than 650 trained volunteers give their time and expertise, contributing thousands of hours each year to help keep people safe.
What Being a Charity Trustee Involves
Charity Trustees of St Andrew’s First Aid play a strategic, non-executive role.
Together, the Board provides leadership, oversight and constructive challenge, helping to guide the long-term direction of the charity and ensure it remains well-governed, sustainable and focused on impact.
Charity Trustees are not involved in the day-to-day management of the organisation. That responsibility sits with a capable and experienced Executive Leadership Team.
The Board’s role is to set direction, support good decision-making and ensure the right frameworks are in place for the charity to succeed.
Role Purpose
The Finance Lead supports the Board of charity Trustees in fulfilling its collective governance responsibilities under Scottish charity law.
The role brings additional financial insight to help ensure the charity is well-governed, financially sustainable, and compliant with the requirements of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, OSCR.
Legal Duties
All charity Trustees share equal responsibility and must act in accordance with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.
Trustees must:
- Act in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries
- Ensure the charity acts in furtherance of its charitable purposes
- Act with care and diligence
- Ensure compliance with OSCR regulations and other relevant legislation
Key Responsibilities
Governance and Strategic Oversight
- Contribute actively to Board decisions and strategic planning
- Ensure financial considerations are integral to strategic decisions
- Support the development and review of policies, including financial regulations, reserves, and risk management
- In conjunction with the Chief Executive, ensure effective systems of internal control are in place
Compliance and Accountability
- Support compliance with OSCR reporting requirements, including the annual return and charity Trustees’ Annual Report
- Liaise with external auditors and/or independent examiners as required
- Ensure appropriate financial records are maintained in line with legal and regulatory requirements
Financial Oversight
- Provide oversight and scrutiny of budgets, management accounts, financial forecasts, and annual reports and accounts
- Support the Board in understanding financial information and financial risk
- Contribute to long-term financial planning and sustainability
- Ensuring effective financial policies are adopted and implemented
- Ensuring an appropriate reserves policy and plans to achieve it
- Advising on the financial viability to meet strategic and operational plans
- Keep abreast of changes of external matters relevant to the charity finance
- Ensuring investments are well managed
- Regular liaison with the Chief Executive and Executive Director of Corporate Services
- Contributing expertise to the financial aspects of the strategic Risk Register
Support and Constructive Challenge
- Offer professional insight and constructive challenge on financial matters
- Support and advise the Chief Executive and senior management, where applicable
- Be a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee
Person Specification
Essential
- Strategic level experience in one or more of the following areas: accountancy, financial management, auditing or business finance
- Sound judgement and a commitment to exemplar governance
- Ability to work collaboratively within a Board environment
- Commitment to the charity’s values and objectives
- Willingness to meet the time commitment required
Desirable
- Knowledge of the financial obligations facing charities in Scotland
- Previous charity Trustee or non-executive experience
- Relevant professional qualification, for example CA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent
Time Commitment
Estimated to be about 2 days per calendar month as follows:
- Four Board meetings per year
- Four Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee meetings per year
- Preparation time for meetings, reading papers in advance
- Ad-Hoc meetings with senior staff on relevant business matters
- Personal administration, checking and responding to emails on a weekly basis
What’s in it for you?
- Gain valuable experience in governance, strategy, and leadership while contributing to meaningful, positive change in a leading Scottish charity
- Charity Trustee induction, training, and governance support
- Reimbursement of all associated expenses
How to Apply
You can apply via the St Andrew’s First Aid website:
https://www.firstaid.org.uk/trustees/
For an informal chat about the role, please contact St Andrew’s Chief Executive, Derek Robertson at:
derek.robertson@standrewsfirstaid.org
Applications close June 2026.