The opportunity to welcome a new Chair is an exciting and important moment for Autism Action.
Over the past three years, the charity has matured quickly. We now have clarity about where we can make the biggest difference, a focused strategy and a strong operating model. We have established two funded programmes that will deliver positive change for autistic people within the next two years. We have built solid foundations for fundraising, and our Community Network has doubled in size since 2024.
At the same time, the external environment has become more challenging. Public finances are under pressure. Donors face many competing priorities. Public narratives around autism have become more difficult, with autism and autistic people’s lives increasingly drawn into political and media debate in ways that would once have been unthinkable.
We are therefore looking for a Chair who can help lead Autism Action through its next phase of development at this moment of both opportunity and challenge; someone who understands our history and the roots of our work but will help us stay focused on the future and the impact we want to achieve.
The new Chair will lead the Board, support and challenge the Chief Executive to deliver against our plan, help us govern well, and act as a visible ambassador for Autism Action. They will also help us build the relationships, profile and confidence we need to secure the income our work requires.
You do not need to have been a charity Chair before. You do need to bring sound judgement, integrity, emotional intelligence, commitment to autistic people’s equality and rights, and the ability to lead a Board through complexity with clarity and care.
At Autism Action we ground our work in lived experience so it’s very important to us that our Chair is able to do the same. We would particularly welcome interest from autistic people with the right skills and experience. Our consistent commitment to an autism-friendly process will apply as normal.
The role is voluntary and is expected to average around two days per month.
To express your interest, please contact the Egon Zehnder team supporting the process at autismactionchair@egonzehnder.com.
