Independent Member - Audit and Risk Committee

We're Parkinson's UK, the charity that's here to support every Parkinson's journey. Every step of the way.

We're a growing organisation with 605 employees, 4000 volunteers and a projected income of £45m. As we approach the conclusion of our current strategic period, we're proud of the progress we've made across our four strategic pillars. We've supported hundreds of thousands of people and have made encouraging strides in our research, but we recognise there is still a great deal more to accomplish in our mission to stop Parkinson's.

Looking ahead to the next phase of our strategy, we believe it's time to be bold. We're ready to define an ambitious "North Star" to guide our future work and sharpen our research focus.

We have established strong foundations in our finances, our people, and our community, but to achieve the transformative change we aspire to, we anticipate needing to double our income. With clarity, determination and courage, we are set on reshaping the future for everyone affected by Parkinson's.

Delivering this also means a continued commitment to first-class governance and risk management. That's where the Audit and Risk Committee has such a crucial role to play. It is key in helping the Board of Trustees discharge its responsibilities to ensure that the charity has effective internal control systems and is operating within approved policies and the law. It also provides a vital support role to the charity's ambitious senior management team, playing the role of critical friend when required, and ensuring support for a range of organisational improvement projects. In 2026, Parkinson's UK is implementing a new risk management framework and defining the risk appetite for the next strategy from 2027, whilst also thinking about the impact of an ever-changing world through the rise of generative and agentic AI tools.

Could you be our next Independent Member?

To complement our collective skillset, we are looking for an independent member with current or recent senior-level financial experience in a charity setting, perhaps as an external auditor, CFO or other senior charity finance professional. You will hold a chartered accountant qualification (e.g. ACA, CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA or equivalent).

Alongside fellow Committee Members, you will carry out the responsibilities of the Audit & Risk Committee as set out in its terms of reference. In particular, you will support the Committee's work to:

Scrutinise and recommend to the Board the charity's risk management framework and appetite

Have oversight of the charity's internal and external audit functions

Oversee the systems, controls and processes that may have an impact on the charity's ability to meet its legal requirements and deliver its strategy

Scrutinise the charity's annual report and financial statements before submission to the Board