To find a NED or trustee role in any sector you will usually need to promote your potential to appropriate recruiters. Most public sector and not-for-profit sector roles are unpaid. Some are paid a relatively small remuneration, for example in NHS trusts. Fees for private sector roles vary depending on the nature and size of the business.
One option is to consider volunteering at board level.
For information on different opportunities visit the websites listed under these headings:
Public and Not-for-Profit Sectors
Charity Trustee Appointments
Accountancy and Finance Jobs for Chartered Accountants
The ICAEW Jobs website includes in its directory of jobs a section on the not for profit sector which gives details of non-executive and volunteer trustee posts.
Arts & Business
A charity helping business people to support and engage with the arts in the UK. Offers a board bank service (accessed via the Business tab) which recruits business people to serve as non-executive directors on arts organisations' boards.
Do-it - Volunteering made easy
A national volunteering database with over 1,000,000 volunteering opportunities including a trustee category.
Getting on Board
Aims to help employers, employees and members of professional networks to become new leaders in communities through board-level volunteering.
National Housing Federation
Housing associations need skilled volunteers to help provide dynamic governance for their organisations. The website includes Get on Board (via Services tab) which is a scheme that aims to match skilled and experienced candidates to board member vacancies within the housing sector.
National Council for Voluntary Organisations
The website includes Trustee Bank (via Home page-Advice and support-Governance and leadership) which offers a free service to advertise or view trustee vacancies, along with information about becoming a trustee and on recruitment and induction practices.
Non-Executives Unlimited
Offers a solution to the problem of recruiting high quality non-executives in a rigorous and yet cost effective way. Helps those seeking non-executives and those seeking to become non-executives.
Reach
Helps voluntary organisations throughout the UK find skilled volunteers with the right management, professional, technical or business expertise, and finds skilled volunteers challenging and rewarding voluntary opportunities tailored to their individual skills and requirements.
School Governors' One Stop Shop
This charity recruits volunteers to become governors in schools across England. Its services are free to local authorities, volunteers, employers and schools.
Small Charities Coalition
Enables trustees to share their knowledge and experience and to search for or post vacancies using 'trusteefinder' and gives signposts to information and services.
Trustees Unlimited
This joint venture between Bates Wells & Braithwaite, NCVO and Russam GMS offers a solution to the problem of recruiting high quality trustees and non-executives in a rigorous and yet cost effective way.
Public Appointments
Many NED roles in these sectors are advertised in the press or on websites. Follow the links below for more information on public appointments or to help you find a NED role on an NHS board or a national or regional public body within the UK.
Appointments Commission
The Commission recruits and appoints chairs and non-executive directors to NHS organisations, Foundation Trusts and central government departments. The website provides information for applicants, non-executive directors and independent assessors. It also contains details of all public appointments currently being handled by the Commission.
Directgov - Public Appointments
Details of current vacancies on the boards of UK public bodies and on a range of UK Government committees.
Scottish Government - Public Appointments
Information about public appointments and the variety of roles available in public bodies in Scotland involved in education, healthcare, justice and the environment with a list of current vacant positions.
Welsh Government - Public Appointments
Pages on the Welsh Government website with details of current public appointment vacancies, how to apply for a public appointment and training.
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister - Public Appointments (Northern Ireland)
This page of the website of the Northern Ireland Executive gives details of vacancies in public appointments in Northern Ireland.
The Whitehall & Industry Group (WIG)
An independent, membership organisation bringing together top leaders to create better informed policy and regulation, share best practice and forge more effective relationships across all sectors through people exchange, leadership programmes and events. WIG's people exchange activities include the recruitment of non-executive board members and charity trustees.
Private Sector
The task of finding candidates for private sector roles is often given to search firms. Such roles may also be advertised in the national press.
The Financial Times Non-Executive Directors' Club
Provides a matching service for members seeking a non-executive position, access to networking events and various corporate governance resources (subscription required).
The Non-Executive Directors Association (NEDA)
Established in 2006 to "represent non-executive directors and ensure they are properly trained and developed." Among its member benefits are an Information Centre, a CV upload facility to aid finding a NED role and a free copy of the NEDA book.
The Non Executive Directorship Exchange
The NEDExchange provides help to individuals seeking non executive director jobs and recruitment services to companies seeking to recruit a non executive director. The website also provides articles about the benefits of non executive directorships for both directors and companies.