Chair of the Board of Trustees

CIMSPA is recruiting for a Chair of its Board of Trustees. Lead the strategic direction of a sector that matters and is integral to the health and wellbeing of the nation, to economic growth, and to supporting vibrant, inclusive communities.

CIMSPA, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, is the UK's professional body for the sport and physical activity workforce. We champion and support the sector by developing professional standards, building a recognised system of professional status, and ensuring the workforce has the credibility and recognition it deserves. As Chair of the Board of Trustees, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of this vital sector, leading CIMSPA at a pivotal moment of growth, transformation, and national impact.

The sport and physical activity sector is increasingly recognised as central to the UK's ambitions around health, wellbeing, education, productivity, and social cohesion. With growing expectations on the sector to contribute to health-condition prevention, rehabilitation, and long-term community development, CIMSPA plays a critical role in ensuring the workforce is properly trained, professionally recognised, and strategically deployed.

Your leadership will be instrumental in guiding this vision forward.

Why this role matters

We are seeking an exceptional individual to provide visionary leadership to our Board of Trustees. The Chair will shape and oversee the strategic direction of CIMSPA, working closely with the Chief Executive Officer to guide the institute through an ambitious phase of growth and innovation.

You will serve as a key figurehead for the sector, representing CIMSPA with credibility and influence to government departments, national agencies, sector partners, and other key stakeholders. The Chair will help navigate the evolving needs of our sector, lead the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities, and ensure that CIMSPA continues to serve as a beacon of professionalism across the UK.

This is an exciting time to join CIMSPA because our impact has never been greater. Through collaborative partnerships, sector-wide initiatives, and data-led workforce planning, we are helping to shape the future of sport and physical activity in the UK. As Chair, you will be at the heart of this momentum.

The Chair's role is to lead the Board of Trustees to ensure CIMSPA delivers its charitable objectives and strategic goals.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Providing visible and effective leadership to the Board and the wider organisation.
• Ensuring clarity of purpose, setting and reviewing strategic objectives, and evaluating performance.
• Holding the Chief Executive to account for the delivery of strategic aims and operational plans.
• Ensuring robust risk management, financial integrity, and compliance with regulatory and legal requirements.
• Creating a positive and inclusive board culture that encourages rigorous debate, collective decision-making, and continuous development.
• Representing CIMSPA externally, enhancing our influence and building trust with national stakeholders.
• Supporting the ongoing development of trustee skills, succession planning, and governance best practice.
• Support the Board to regularly review CIMSPA's priority risks and provide advice and counsel to CIMSPA Executive Team.
• Liaise regularly with the Treasurer to maintain oversight of CIMSPA's financial position, ensuring full and timely financial transparency to the Board.
• Appraise and constructively guide the performance of the CEO, acting as a critical friend and sounding board.

For more information about this role, please see the full recruitment pack. This is a remunerated position, with remuneration of £8,000 per annum (plus reasonable expenses).

Closing date for applications: 4th September 2025 at 9am
The provisional interview date for in-person interviews at SportPark, Loughborough University is 16th September 2025.