About the organisation
Pembroke House is a dynamic, community-based charity in Walworth, south east London. We run our own programme of community activities with local residents, and we host over 30 partners who base activities at our two centres: Pembroke House and All Saints Hall, home to the Walworth Living Room (WLR).
We were founded in 1885 by students from Pembroke College, Cambridge, as one of the first settlement houses. The founders sought new solutions to inner-city poverty and deprivation by living, working and solving problems alongside the communities they served.
Pembroke House is unique amongst surviving settlements in retaining the three founding elements of a settlement: a residency; halls for community activities; and, a chapel (now the parish church of St. Christopher's Walworth, which is a separately constituted organisation but shares our building, fulfilling the Christian objective with which Pembroke College Settlement was established. Pembroke House works with the full range of Walworth's diverse community, and our activities are open to people of all faiths and none).
As a settlement, we operate at different tiers:
- undertaking local activity at our buildings in Walworth;
- galvanising coordinated action across the whole neighbourhood;
- building alliances at the borough level; and
- connecting and sharing our learnings with partners from further afield.
Operating across these four tiers, we aim to link local developments with wider questions of policy and practice, and to inspire greater collaboration between partners at different levels. To hear more about our learning visit https://www.pembrokehouse.org.uk/learning/ where you will find podcasts, blogs and reports.
The Walworth Living Room
We commissioned independent evaluators, Social Life, to conduct ethnographic research into the WLR in September 2022 and October 2023. They found that the WLR is a valuable space for the community to come together and support one another, particularly for vulnerable groups. Their report found that the WLR effectively addresses issues of loneliness and social disconnection, with 79% of visitors reporting reduced isolation and enhance community ties. It fosters resilience, mutual support and a deeper sense of belonging among its users. 79% report feeling less lonely, 66% more resilient and 77% experience better mental wellbeing after a visit.
Visitors highlight its dual focus on practical support, such as access to food and childcare, and the creation of a welcoming, inclusive environment where individuals from different walks of life feel valued. Of the regular activities running in the WLR, 46% were run by Pembroke House or partners; 36% by volunteers; and 18% by residents.
About the role
Since the pandemic, like many other charities, we are facing fundraising challenges. As our annual reports show, we have been:
hit by wage inflation, an increase in NI rates and higher than expected building costs due to the rising cost of living;
experiencing lower than expected income from hall hire due to charities (our main clients) facing their own funding challenges;
facing a shrinking pool of trusts and foundations that we can apply to for grant funding, in particular core funding, due to closures of grant programmes or becoming ineligible once our turnover exceeded £1 million; and,
moving towards a more sustainable project funding model where projects spend within their means and all contribute towards core costs.
This resulted in the difficult decision to close or scale back programmes in 2024; pause recruitment and leave vacant posts unfilled; initiate cost cutting measures; and, place greater emphasis on generating unrestricted income, for example from space hire (both residential and meeting space) or donations.
It is not all doom and gloom though!
A recent award from the National Lottery Community Fund of £150k p.a. for three years has enabled us to expand the Walworth Living Room project. Investment to professionalise our space hire business has resulted in a 500% increase in income from this source over the past year and securing a long-term contract worth £120k over three years.
We also have a healthy balance sheet due to investments in property and stocks and shares. We own the Pembroke House building and have a preferential lease on All Saints Hall. Both are heritage buildings so whilst rent is zero / low cost, upkeep can be challenging financially. We own three residential properties, which combined generate approximately £120k per year.
The majority of our donors have donated to us for 50 plus years, and we have never asked them to increase their gift. There is therefore potential to increase income from all donors, in particular as part of our 140th anniversary donor drive.
Time commitment
Four events Trustee meetings per year, two in London and two in Cambridge. Ideally, these are attended in person, and dinner is provided. It is possible to attend these meetings virtually, if necessary.
Attending the AGM in the Autumn each year.
Four evening Finance and Risk Subcommittee meetings per year, all online.
There are further events during the year, for example, a lecture held during Spring each year in Cambridge, which is optional.
The Closing Date: 10am 19 May 2025
In person interviews: 28 May 2025 in the evening in London
Our ideal candidate
Role description
Paid staff are responsible for the day to day financial management function: Director of Finance, a Bookkeeper and five Budget Holders. The Treasurer (Trustee) provides oversight and guidance by:
- chairing the Finance and Risk Subcommittee and presenting the annual accounts at the charity's AGM;
- assisting the Chair in ensuring that the Board fulfils its duties and responsiblities for the proper financial governance of the charity;
- presenting regular financial reports to the board (prepared by the staff team) and advising them on the financial implications of the organisation's strategic plans;
- guiding and advising the board in the approval of the annual budget and annual financial statements;
- leading on scrutinising quarterly management accounts and recommend resulting actions to the board;
- maintaining an up to date understanding of and ensure compliance with developments in charity finance and regulatory changes;
- agreeing the risk appetite, monitoring key risks, and ensuring that risk management informs strategic planning and operational budgets;
- supporting the Executive Director and Leadership Team on matters relating to the charity's finances; and,
- ensuring any recommendations of the auditors are implemented.
Person Specification
Previous board / trustee experience is not necessary but you must be a qualified accountant with experience of charity finance.
Tresurer-specific:
- a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA etc.);
- minimum of 3 years senior management experience in a finance role;
- excellent knowledge of charity finance regulations and knowledge of tax related to charities; and,
- able to communicate financial information to non-financial team members.
All trustees will demonstrate the following competencies:
- a passion for the charity's purpose and mission;
- strategic thinking and risk awareness;
- measured judgement and willingness to offer constructive challenge;
- a collaborative approach, interpersonal awareness and excellent communication skills;
- advocacy for diversity, equity and includion; and,
- commitment to prepare for meetings and participate actively at board level.
We are particularly keen to hear from Black, Asian and other Minotirity Ethnic groups and from women, all of whom are currently under-represented on our board. Lived experience of local community issues or knowledge of the Walworth neighbourhood is also desired but not essential.
What’s in it for you
You would be joining the organisation during a period of change. The Bookkeeper left in early 2025, and, after 13 years, the Director of Finance will be leaving in Autumn 2025.
The leadership team is mostly at the start of their journey to building their financial management knowledge, as their focus has been on delivery over the past few years. They are actively discussing what they need from a finance function and would welcome input from the Treasurer to help them shape a new team.
Likewise, the trustee body is also building knowledge and, in the absence of the Director of Finance, would seek reassurance and guidance from the Treasurer about the charity's financial outlook and proper stewardship of the charity's assets.
The Board's Finance and Risk Subcommittee (FRSC) was established in 2023 and has always struggled to attract members. The Treasurer, as chair of FRSC, would have the opportunity to build the board's capacity.
Apply for the role
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