We’re Recruiting: Independent Chair and Independent Directors
As we move forward with our 10-year strategy — It All Starts with Play! — we are strengthening our governance and leadership. At our 2024 AGM, our members adopted a new Memorandum & Articles of Association, which set a clear path towards a stronger, more independent Board.
We are now seeking to recruit and appoint:
An Independent Chair
A Senior Independent Director
An Independent Director
A person is independent if they are free from any close connection to Play England and would be viewed as independent by an objective outsider. This means we are looking for people primarily from outside the play sector who can bring fresh perspectives, expertise, and constructive challenge.
These roles will help us deliver our mission to re-norm play in England, champion children’s right to play, and influence the systems and structures that shape childhood.
Why join us?
This is an exciting time to be part of Play England. With play increasingly recognised in policy debates and public life, we need talented people who can bring independent perspectives, expertise, constructive challenge and strong networks.
You don’t need to be a ‘play expert’ — we already have those on our Board. Instead, we are looking for people who share our values and can bring skills in areas like governance, law, finance, risk, fundraising, philanthropy, campaigning, communications, or organisational leadership.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We want our Board to reflect the children, families, communities and sector we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and especially encourage younger applicants (under 30), disabled people, people from under-represented communities, and people of all genders. All appointments are made on merit.
The commitment
4–6 Board meetings per year (mostly online, with at least one in person)
Attendance at key events including Playday and the International Day of Play
Term: 4 years, renewable once
Voluntary role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed
All appointments subject to a DBS check
How to apply
Please send the following to: info@playengland.org.uk by midnight, 23 October 2025.
Your CV and a covering letter (max 2 pages) explaining which role you are applying for (Chair, Senior Independent Director, or Independent Director), why you are interested, and how your skills and experience match what we’re looking for.
Please provide details of two referees (name, role, organisation, email, phone). We will only contact referees if you are recommended for appointment, and only with your consent.
Further information
Our Memorandum & Articles of Association (adopted 2024 AGM)
Our strategy, It All Starts with Play! (2025-2035)
If you’d like an informal discussion about the roles and/or the timetable, please do contact our Executive Director, Eugene Minogue.