Chair of Finance and Investment Committee at Newcastle Cathedral

Role Type: Trustee

Application deadline: Monday, July 20, 2026 - 16:00

Salary: £

Role description: Chair

Newcastle Cathedral is seeking a new Chair for its Finance and Investment Committee, who would also sit as a member of the charity's Chapter (Trust Board).

You will be joining us at an exciting and challenging time, as we both embed our new strategic plan and explore how we can be more financially sustainable in challenging times for the third sector generally, and the cathedral sector in particular. You will be supported in your role by a committed – if small – finance team at the Cathedral, and by a strong Chapter and Finance Committee.

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." – John 1:5. 

Newcastle Cathedral has been a beacon of light for the people of the North East for over 800 years. For much of that time, our iconic Lantern Tower has welcomed visitors and local communities home to a place of safety and belonging. As the UK’s only cathedral dedicated to St Nicholas – the patron saint of sailors and protector of children – we strive to embody his famous spirit of kindness, hospitality and safeguarding. Rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, Newcastle Cathedral is a place of radical welcome, inspiring worship and deep community engagement.

We are the Mother Church of the Diocese of Newcastle and the seat of the Bishop of Newcastle, serving the city and wider region – supporting 240 churches and 49
schools in their mission to bring faith, hope, and love to their communities. Located in the heart of a vibrant city, the Cathedral is a living landmark. We celebrate our rich history, from medieval origins to the untold stories of those who shaped our city. Central to our worshipping life is the Cathedral Choir, which has members from a range of backgrounds. Our musical offering enriches our services and connects us to centuries of tradition, while our space hosts many events – welcoming first-time visitors into this sacred space. Through the Cathedral Lantern Project, children’s and youth singing programmes and other work, we extend a beacon of hope to those navigating life’s challenges – offering a radical welcome to people of all faiths and none. 

Newcastle Cathedral’s mission is to continue being a beacon of hope, hospitality, and inclusion for all who enter its doors in the name of Christ. We aim to be a source of light and support in our city, region, and beyond, fostering an environment where individuals from all walks of life feel welcome, empowered and valued. Alongside this, we are committed to ensuring the Cathedral's financial sustainability, so it remains a vital resource for future generations.

Our core values are:

• Radical Welcome - We commit ourselves to learning how to offer a radical welcome to all who would enter or engage with the Cathedral and its life
• Inspiring Worship - We place a priority on seeking to facilitate inspiring worship in the everyday life of the Cathedral
• Empowering Worth - In all that we do, we will seek to value others and to encourage them to value themselves. In our engagement with the City and Diocese,  we will advocate for the creating of a society that values human worth

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Chair of Finance, you will automatically be a member of the Cathedral Chapter. Chapter currently meets in person on Wednesday mornings six times a year, and
the Finance Committee meets four times a year on dates agreed with you as Chair, during normal business hours.

MEMBER OF CHAPTER

Chapter is the governing body of the Cathedral. Chaired by the Dean, it comprises members who are lay and ordained, executive and non-executive, as set out in the
Cathedral’s Constitution. Non-Executive Lay Chapter Members provide constructive challenge, input and support to the Cathedral’s strategic direction and operational implementation.

The role of a Lay Chapter Member is comparable to the role of the non-executive director in the corporate sphere. Alongside the Dean and the two Residentiary
Canons (the ordained members of Chapter), lay members oversee and direct the mission and work of the Cathedral.

The Cathedrals Measure 2021 requires Lay Chapter Members to be Trustees of the Cathedral charity. Legislation and compliance governing the Cathedral will be
both via the Charity Commission (for all charity-related matters) and the Church Commissioners (for ecclesiastical matters). 

Chapter members hold overall responsibility for the governance and management of the Cathedral, with an overview of all its activities. Day-to-day management of the Cathedral is carried out by executive staff overseen by the Senior Management Team.
Chapter lay members are full, non-executive members of Chapter, sharing in governance and oversight across the whole of the Cathedral's work, attending regular meetings and key Cathedral services during the course of the year.

They support the Dean and Residentiary Canons and Chief Operating Officer, who have the responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day work and life of the Cathedral.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
NON-EXECUTIVE LAY MEMBER OF CHAPTER
A Non-Executive Lay Member of Chapter takes a full part in the discussions and decision-making of the Chapter as it fulfils its statutory responsibilities:

• to order the worship and promote the mission of the Cathedral 
• to formulate proposals in connection with the strategic direction and mission of the Cathedral 
• to manage all property vested in the Cathedral and income accruing from it 
• to ensure that necessary repairs and maintenance of the Cathedral and its contents and other buildings and monuments are carried out 
• to attend to all matters concerning the appointment of senior staff to the Cathedral
• to prepare an annual report and accounts
• to keep under review the Constitution and Statutes of the Cathedral
• to ensure legal and regulatory compliance
• to exercise the power if necessary to provide for the incorporation of limited companies for the better management of the Cathedral 
• to provide external perspectives on the Cathedral, helping build and strengthen links with the wider community 
• holding to account the Chapter’s executive members and Cathedral senior officers, attending and participating fully in Chapter meetings and meetings of Chapter subcommittees as appropriate 
• advising and supporting the Chapter’s executive members and senior officers on such issues as are within a non-executive lay member’s area of particular expertise

FINANCE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
The Finance & Investment Committee is a subcommittee of Chapter that advises Chapter on the financial aspects of the Cathedral's activities and management.

Its role is one of oversight, monitoring and review -with a view to making recommendations to Chapter regarding the annual budget, management accounts, capital expenditure and major projects, and all other such matters as are specified in the Terms of Reference. Click here to access this document.

The Finance & Investment Committee comprises at least 5 members appointed by the Chapter following consultation with the Nominations Committee. Chapter appoints the Chair of the Committee, and that person must have recent and relevant financial experience and must be a non-executive member of the Chapter.

The role of the Finance & Investment Committee is to keep under review the activities and management of the Cathedral in relation to matters specified by the Chapter in the attached Terms of Reference for the Committee. It is attended by the Chief Operating Officer (who also serves as Chief Finance Officer) and the Finance Manager.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

In order to be a Lay Chapter Member, you must be:

• a Communicant member of the Church of England (within the meaning given in Rule 83(2) of the Church Representation Rules), or a communicant member of a Church which is not in communion with the Church of England but subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. 
• committed to the Cathedral’s Christian vision, mission, values and ministry. 
• able to carry out legal duties as set out in the Charity Commission’s ‘CC3 - The Essential Trustee’ and make decisions in accordance with the guidance provided in ‘CC27 - It’s Your Decision’. 
• willing to follow the Chapter’s Code of Conduct and to uphold all of Chapter’s safeguarding responsibilities.
• willing to complete the Church of England’s Safeguarding Training, including a module on Domestic Abuse.

We are looking for a Chair of Finance who:

• has demonstrable strategic leadership and management skills, and can confidently chair meetings. (Previous experience volunteering as a trustee is welcome but not essential)
• has appropriate knowledge and skills in several of the following areas: accounting, risk management, audit, financial governance, business and any other technical issues relevant to the business and strategic management of the Cathedral 
• has existing knowledge of managing finance in the charity sector, or a willingness to learn about charity finance
• can show empathy in dealing with others and can engage diplomatically and with authority in dialogue and debate on critical issues
• possesses the highest level of integrity
• is willing to attend to professional personal development including undertaking training 
• is able to commit a minimum of around 15 hours per month to attending Chapter and Finance meetings (or other business on behalf of Chapter), including preparation for meetings.

CHARITIES ACT REQUIREMENTS
Chapter members must be eligible to be trustees under the Charities Act.

Chapter members may not act as a trustee if they are disqualified unless authorised to do so by a waiver from the Commission. The reasons for disqualification are shown in the disqualifying reasons table issued by the Commission but include:

• being bankrupt or having an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) 
• having an unspent conviction for certain offences (including any that involve dishonesty or deception) 
• being on the Sex Offenders Register

TIME COMMITMENT
The time commitment each week will vary according to attendance at worship and at the Chapter, but as an indication, an average of about 15 hours per month over the year would be typical. You are expected to be willing and able to give time to attendance at the regular full meetings of the Chapter and the Finance Committee. Meetings will usually occur during ‘normal business hours'.

NATURE OF APPOINTMENT
The appointment is made by the Bishop of Newcastle, in consultation with the Chapter, initially for a three-year period. Reappointment to a further 2 x 3-year term is possible but not assumed and will depend on the needs of the Cathedral at the time.

The role is voluntary and unremunerated. Expenses are paid for certain travel costs, in accordance with the Cathedral’s policies (for example, at meetings or conferences held elsewhere). The appointment is subject to satisfactory references, completion of a Confidential Declaration and an enhanced DBS disclosure (the latter paid for by the Cathedral). You will be required to complete the Church of England’s online Safeguarding Training at basic, foundation and leadership levels, in addition to a module on Domestic Abuse.

Newcastle Cathedral is committed to the care and protection of all children, young people and adults who visit the Cathedral. We strive to be a caring community that  provides a loving environment where victims can report or disclose abuse safely and where they will find support and best practices that contribute to the prevention of abuse. 

HOW TO APPLY
Expressions of interest should be addressed to the Chair of the Nominations Committee via office@newcastlecathedral.org.uk. Alternatively, you can address by post to: Chair of the Nominations Committee, Cathedral House, 42-44 Mosley Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 1DF.

CLOSING DATE: Monday 20 July 2026, 4pm

For an informal conversation about this role, please contact the Dean of Newcastle, the Very Revd Lee Batson, at dean@newcastlecathedral.org.uk 

Newcastle Cathedral 2026 (Registered Charity no. 1203907)

For the job pack, visit: https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/community/vacancies/