Finance Board Member

Based at the Castle Leslie Estate in County Monaghan, The Leslie Foundation was established in 2015. Its mission is to promote regenerative land use, environmental restoration, and sustainable community development by using the approximately 1,000-acre Castle Leslie Estate as a living laboratory for testing and demonstrating innovative solutions.

The foundation’s purpose is “to rebalance our relationship with our land and collectively restore our future”. It focuses on creating practical models that integrate nature, people, heritage, culture and local economic activity.

The foundation aims to:

·       Develop and test nature-based solutions to environmental challenges

·       Promote regenerative agriculture and improved soil health

·       Support biodiversity

·       Create collaborative projects

Key Areas of Work

1. Regenerative Land Use and Agriculture

This includes:

• Improving soil health
• Enhancing biodiversity
• Developing sustainable food-production systems
• Exploring landscape-scale regeneration models where ecological, agricultural, and economic activities coexist sustainably.

2. Environmental Innovation and Education

The Green Portal project promotes exploration of future environmental and societal challenges, encouraging collaboration, learning, and action around climate, nature, and sustainability issues.

3. Heritage Preservation and Adaptive Reuse

The Foundation seeks to use the estate's historic buildings and heritage assets as part of its sustainability mission, combining conservation of heritage with new community and environmental purposes.

4. Community Wellbeing and Equine Therapy

The Foundation has proposed an All-Ireland Centre of Excellence for Equine Assisted Therapy and Movement Therapy, bringing together health, wellbeing, and nature-based therapeutic approaches.

5. Community Benefit and Regional Development

The Foundation aims to manage the lands and built heritage of the Leslie Estate for community benefit, supporting projects that contribute to rural development, environmental sustainability, heritage, and education.

The Role

As a member of the Board and also Chair of the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee, you will work collaboratively with fellow Directors and the executive team to:

·       Input to the strategic direction, contributing with insight, oversight, and experience.

·       Advise and guide the board on all financial matters.

·       Evaluate and monitor the adequacy of Finance and Governance policies and

procedures and ensure the organisation is compliant with best practice principle

·       Act as an ambassador for the charity and support wider stakeholder engagement where appropriate

·       Be open to offer advice on areas of expertise with the board and management.

General Trustee duties

·       Comply with the Charity’s governing document.

·       Ensure the charity complies with its charitable purpose for the public benefit.

·       Acting in the best interest of the charity.

·       Act with reasonable care and skill.

·       Manage the assets of your charity.

Knowledge & Experience required:

o   A qualified Accountant

o   Technical understanding of audit, risk management, internal controls, and financial reporting in a charity setting (e.g., SORP)

o   Familiarity with accounting standards, audit practices, and assurance frameworks

o   Knowledge of relevant charity law, financial regulations, and funder compliance requirements

o   Awareness of fraud, corruption, and whistleblowing frameworks and related governance responsibilities

o   Understanding of value-for-money principles and financial stewardship in a charitable or not-for-profit context

o   Experience in reviewing and strengthening internal control systems and risk management processes.

o   An understanding of collaborative cross-border initiatives and networks.

Time Commitment

There are six board meetings a year which are a mixture of hybrid and in-person. There may be additional subcommittees, occasional events and a half day workshop each year.