Chief Executive

Gateshead or London (with preference for Gateshead).

Circa £75k-£85k, dependant on location.

Best known as the UK’s leading fair trade organisation and engaged in a wide range of trade and development activities, Traidcraft was established in 1979 as a Christian response to poverty. With a mission to fight poverty through trade, we pioneer, practise and promote approaches to trade that help poor people in developing countries transform their lives.  Traidcraft combines a £15.8 million turnover trading company – Traidcraft plc - with one of the UK’s most innovative development charities – Traidcraft Exchange - and this provides us with a unique view of how trade can be made to work for the poor.

These are exciting times for a dynamic and pioneering organisation like Traidcraft. We are seeing enormous interest in the role that the private sector can play in international development and  Traidcraft has long practiced a more integrated model which combines social purpose with business approaches.

The role of Chief Executive provides a unique opportunity for a dynamic individual to lead, reshape, invigorate and inspire a truly unique organisation.  Against the background of a challenging retail climate and growth in mainstream competition in fair trade, the Chief Executive will play a critical role in strengthening the commercial business and further enabling the impact of our development activities. Motivated from their own Christian faith, the Chief Executive will lead the work of Traidcraft plc and Traidcraft Exchange in line with its Foundation Principles and its Christian ethos. Reporting to the Chair, the position has responsibility for Traidcraft’s staff based in the UK (predominantly in Gateshead) and across its offices in South Asia and East Africa.

We’re looking for someone who is committed to Traidcraft’s mission of fighting poverty through trade and who believes strongly in the potential of trade and business to promote international development. A clear and creative strategic thinker who can see the possibilities for Traidcraft’s role as a pioneering organisation is essential. The ideal candidate will be someone with energy, passion and vision; someone to motivate and inspire others; with the commercial experience to grasp opportunities and with an appetite for delivery of results. We’re looking for a strong, vibrant and dynamic leader to move the organisation forward into the next era.

• Interested? Further details including a full job description and application information can be found by clicking the Apply button
• Closing date for applications: Monday 2^nd February 2015, 9am (GMT).
• Provisional date for interviews: Candidates will be invited to visit Traidcraft during the weeks commencing 16^th or 23^rd February 2015. Panel interviews will take place in London, on Friday 27^th February 2015.