Join our Board

Public Practice is a company limited by guarantee, with articles of association that lock in its not-for-profit status and mission.

Annual turnover is under £1m, currently approximately: 60% grant, 30% earned income and 10% sponsorship.

Public Practice has seven Non-Executive Directors with diverse mix of skills and experience including: governance, legal, finance, local government, the built environment, small impact-led & not-for-profit organisations. Anna Rose, the current Chair, steps down in October 2026.

The team undertakes the day-to-day running of the organisation, comprising nine people, with relatively small growth planned in the coming years. The current CEO co-founded Public Practice and has been in the CEO role since 2021.

The organisation is deeply committed to Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, reflected in our services, organisational culture and processes.

Founded in 2017 out of the Greater London Authority, Public Practice is best known for its Associate Programme, which it has successfully scaled across England with support from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

In England, local government is facing rapid change through planning reform, local government reorganisation, and political shifts. Globally, city governments and municipalities are under growing pressure to address systemic challenges, including climate justice and social inequality.

Public Practice is at a pivotal stage, transitioning from a start-up to an established, influential organisation driving public sector system change. In the coming years the organisation will be looking to expand its services, diversify income streams & grow its impact beyond the UK.

Recruiting a new Chair and Non-Executive Directors now will ensure the Board has the leadership and expertise to guide this next phase and maximise impact at a critical moment for the public sector.

The Chair provides leadership to the Board, ensuring effective governance, strategic oversight, and support for the CEO. They act as a visible ambassador for Public Practice, strengthening its credibility with central and local government, funders, and the wider placemaking and public sector.

• Lead the Board to ensure effective governance, decision-making, and strategic oversight.
• Support, challenge, and advise the CEO while maintaining clear boundaries between governance and executive management.
• Represent Public Practice externally to funders, government, and sector partners.
• Chair Board meetings and the annual Strategy Away Day, ensuring all voices are heard.
• Guide the Board through its next phase of organisational growth, influence, and system change.

• Leadership & vision: able to guide the Board and organisation through pivotal change.
• Local government insight: strong understanding of local government, public sector reform, innovation and place-based services.
• Governance expertise: experienced in board leadership, decision-making, and risk oversight.
• Networks & influence: established relationships across central/local government including MHCLG, funders, and the wider placemaking and local government sector.
• Strategic thinker: can see the organisation’s role in the wider system and challenge constructively.

Bonus: previous experience as a chair or trustee in small/medium charities or mission-led organisations

• Approximately 60 hours per year; shadow from April 2026, full role from October 2026.
• Term: Chair role is 2 years, with potential renewal.

• The deadline for applications is Monday 23rd February (2 pm)
• Round 1 interviews will take place online on 10th March (3 - 5 pm), 13th March (10 - 1 pm) and 20th March (2 - 5 pm)
• Round 2 of interviews will be on Monday, 23rd March (tbc)
• Offers will be made during the week commencing Monday, 30 March
• The new Chair will join our Q1 Board Meeting on Tuesday 30th June

This NED will provide expertise and strategic oversight on HR, organisational design, and culture, supporting Public Practice to build a high-performing, inclusive, and values-driven team.

• Advise on people strategy, organisational design, and workforce planning.
• Provide guidance on equity, equality, diversity, inclusion (EEDI) initiatives.
• Support the Board in reviewing HR policies, staff wellbeing, and leadership development.
• Act as a critical friend to the CEO and executive team on people-related decisions.
• Ensure the organisation maintains strong culture and governance in HR matters.

• HR & organisational design expertise: experienced in people strategy, team structures, and leadership development.
• EEDI champion: able to embed equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in organisational culture.
• Critical friend: offers constructive challenge while supporting the CEO and leadership team.
• Culture-focused: committed to building and sustaining a positive, values-led working environment.

Bonus: Familiarity with local government workforce issues / organisational design and/or experience as a trustee or adviser in small/medium organisations with high-impact missions.

• Approximately 60 hours per year.
• Term: 2 years, with potential renewal.

• The deadline for applications is Monday 23rd February (2 pm)
• Online interviews will take place on the following dates: 10th March (3 - 5 pm), 13th March (10 - 1 pm), 20th March (2 - 5 pm)
• Offers will be made during the week commencing Monday, 30 March
• The new NED will join our Q1 Board Meeting on Tuesday 30th June

This NED will provide expertise on strategic income diversification, partnership development, and sector influence, supporting Public Practice to secure sustainable resources and strengthen its impact.

• Advise on fundraising strategy, including trusts, foundations, sponsorship, and partnerships.
• Support marketing and impact-narrative development, and sector positioning, to enhance credibility and influence.
• Act as a critical friend on business model innovation and financial sustainability.
• Facilitate introductions to potential funders, partners, or influencers where appropriate.
• Contribute to the Board’s oversight of income diversification and risk management.

• Income diversification experience: knowledge of trusts, foundations, sponsorship, and partnership models.
• Strategic influence: can strengthen Public Practice’s impact-narrative, sector positioning, and credibility.
• Networks & facilitation: ability to connect the organisation with funders, partners, and sector influencers.
• Marketing & positioning: able to advise on brand, communications, and sector-facing messaging to enhance visibility and impact.
• Commercial acumen: understanding of sustainable business models and risk.

Bonus: previous trustee or senior advisory experience in small/medium mission-led organisations.

• Approximately 60 hours per year.
• Term: 3 years, with potential renewal for an additional term

• The deadline for applications is Monday 23rd February (2 pm)
• Online interviews will take place on 9th March (2 - 5 pm), 13th March (2 - 5 pm), 16th March (2 - 5 pm)
• Offers will be made during the week commencing Monday, 30 March
• The new NED will join our Q1 Board Meeting on Tuesday 30th June

Public Practice is committed to being an equal opportunities organisation and values the diverse perspectives people from different backgrounds bring to our work. We are actively seeking candidates who can contribute a range of experiences and viewpoints to our Board and who represent diverse groups.

We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background.

We recognise that our Board is currently underrepresented in terms of racial diversity and disability. If you feel you can bring unique perspectives but are unsure about other aspects of the role, we encourage you to get in touch to explore whether it could be right for you.

• The deadline for applications is Monday, 23rd February (2 pm)
• Interviews will take place online in March. Please check each role for specific dates and times.
• Offers will be made during the week commencing Monday, 30 March
• The new NED will join our Q1 Board Meeting on Tuesday 30th June

Applicants should submit a CV and a short (max. one page) covering letter setting out why you are applying for the role, your motivations for joining Public Practice and the relevant experience that you will bring to the specific role.

All applications should be submitted to the online form. (We do not accept applications outside of this system*).

* According to GDPR guidelines, we are only able to process Sensitive Personal Data with your express consent. You will be asked to complete a consent form when you apply. Please do not include any Sensitive Personal Data within your CV (although this can be included in your covering letter if you wish to do so), remember also not to include contact details for referees without their prior agreement.

You are welcome to email the Public Practice team if you have any questions about the organisation or the process before submitting your application.