Sustain alliance seeks new Chair: Is it you?

The Sustain alliance is seeking a new Chair of our Council of Trustees to join us in working with the alliance to drive food-system change and the just transition to nature-friendly farming and healthy and sustainable diets. 

The application deadline for the Chair of Sustain role is 10am, Monday 22 September, but early conversations are encouraged (see below). Download the Sustain Chair role description here. 

This is an especially important time for Sustain and our alliance members, with greater interest than ever in food-systems thinking. The Sustain alliance is central to driving this agenda – we have many success stories already under our collective belts and the spirit and enthusiasm to win more. Our new strategy, being developed during 2025, is due for implementation from January 2026. Sustain has a unique role to play in convening over 100 organisations at national level, and hundreds more at local and regional levels, working together in common cause for lasting improvements to policy and practice. 

Sustain’s Council of Trustees is elected from the Sustain alliance membership. Following selection by serving Trustees (plus due process to be elected as a Trustee by the alliance membership), the successful candidate for Sustain Chair will join the Trustee group. The main purpose of the Chair role is to lead the Sustain Council of Trustees in guiding the organisation towards increasing its impact whilst ensuring its sustainability.  

During the period July to early September 2025, we would warmly welcome conversations with people from alliance members and observer organisations who are interested in putting themselves forward for consideration for this exciting role as Chair of Sustain.

We will make time slots available for informal conversations and questions – please indicate if you have preferred dates or times, in the period 23 July to 20 September 2025 (early indication of interest is preferable). Contact Sustain Chief Executive Kath Dalmeny: kath@sustainweb.org. 

There will be an interview process later in September 2025, run by a recruitment panel of current Trustees, with Sustain Senior Leadership Team support.

The person appointed to be Chair of the Sustain alliance will be: 

• Passionate about food that is good for people and the planet – preferably with an understanding of one or more relevant farming and/or food issues. 
• Attuned to the culture and dynamics of an evolving charity seeking system change. 
• Committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism.
• Sympathetic with Sustain’s values and have sound judgement and integrity. 
• Experienced in chairing a committee or similar entity and, preferably, of being a charity trustee, SME board member or having had involvement in an NGO decision-making body. 
• Confident in managing threats (including financial risks) and identifying opportunities for an organisation. 
• Experienced in successful business/organisational management, development and leadership. 
• Familiar with, and have an understanding of, influencing policy and campaigning, and with fundraising and funder stewardship for such work.
• A strong team player who possesses tact and diplomacy. 
• Able to commit 1 to 2 days on average per month.

Sustain’s Chair also needs to be:

• Following selection by Sustain Trustees, elected by Sustain members as a trustee (this process is run by Sustain during October/November 2025).
• Eligible to serve as a charity trustee; disqualification guidance is available here.
• Willing for Sustain to undertake a DBS check, if necessary. 

The chairperson for the recruitment panel for this role is long-serving Sustain Trustee Katharine Jenner, Vice-Chair of Sustain. She says:

“As Vice-Chair of Sustain, I will be very proud to support our Chair in their leadership role in this influential alliance, especially as it enters a new strategy period. As an alliance, we have high ambitions to change the food system for good, through accelerating the transition to agroecological farming and to healthy and sustainable diets. The new Chair of Sustain will help set the tone for the culture of the board and how we continue to work together to ensure that the charity is working to achieve its goals, is well-resourced, operates effectively and meets good practice for charity governance.” 

Sustain Chief Executive Kath Dalmeny says:

“The Sustain team looks forward to working with a new Chair who enjoys navigating complexity, including and respecting diverse perspectives, whilst keeping a clear eye on the prize – powerful alliance action, working together to achieve lasting food system change. As has proved so valuable in the past, a healthy balance of ambition, good governance, a penchant for organisational effectiveness, and a healthy dose of tenacity, diplomacy and good humour will be very welcome!”

Sustain’s current Chair, Professor Mike Rayner, will be standing down from the Sustain Council of Trustees at the November 2025 AGM. Mike has been a much-loved and highly influential member of the Sustain alliance ever since its inception in 1999, over 25 years ago, including serving as a Trustee, Vice-Chair and Chair. 

How to apply for the role  

Download the role description. This contains the full application process. Deadline for applications: 10am, Monday 22 September 2025.

We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. We welcome applications from people with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and identities. Read about our approach to equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism here.

Additional notes

• The appointment will be for three years in the first instance, as is the case for all Sustain Trustees, with the option of re-election by mutual agreement for one further three-year term. 
• This is an unsalaried position. Appropriate out-of-pocket expenses associated with travel, accommodation and subsistence will be reimbursed by the charity and transparently declared.