Are you passionate about supporting Glasgow’s businesses while making a real difference in the local community?
We are currently seeking new trustees to join our board. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is keen to contribute to the local community and gain valuable experience in business operations – especially if you are looking for your first board position.
What you’ll gain
- Insight into the full end-to-end running of a business-focused charity
- Experience in governance, strategic planning, and community impact
- The chance to network with like-minded individuals and develop your professional skills
- The reward of knowing your efforts directly contribute to reducing poverty and unemployment in East Glasgow
This is an unpaid, voluntary role, perfect for someone wishing to give back to the community or seeking that all-important first step into board-level experience.
Our charity
GEM Workspaces Ltd is a successful registered charity operating in East Glasgow since 1987. Its foundational objects are to relieve or prevent poverty, or relieve unemployment, through:
- Operating workspace projects
- Providing paid employment
- Promoting schemes of community benefit which further employment opportunity or otherwise assist people in need
- Assisting people in need
GEM furthers these aims by three routes:
Workspace projects
GEM operates shared-user office space and light industrial units at the Wright Business Centre and Queenslie Workspaces – see www.wrightbusinesscentre.co.uk and www.queenslieworkspaces.co.uk. High quality work space is provided to a wide range of employers on flexible terms at ‘all-in’ cost, generating annual income of ca. £750k.
Employability Fund
GEM provides multi-year funding to other registered charities for defined projects focused on training and employability. Disbursements under this fund, launched in 2024, are expected to attain ca. £200k annually. Current partners are Career Ready, Celtic FC Foundation, Connect Community Trust, Easterhouse Sports Centre, Street League, FARE Scotland and Parkhead Citizens Advice Bureau.
Community Fund
Smaller awards support educational and developmental trips by primary schools in Easterhouse and enhance employment prospects among clients of local charities. Funding here totals ca. £25k a year.
The opportunity
GEM is guided and governed by a board of voluntary, non-executive trustees and the charity now seeks to broaden the range of experience on the board. The opportunity may suit experienced non-executive directors or, particularly given the limited time commitment, someone in senior-level employment seeking a first non-executive position.
Candidates who can evidence community engagement in East Glasgow are particularly encouraged to apply.
Criteria sought
- Operational management or professional experience at a senior level
- East Glasgow community engagement
- Charity / not-for-profit sector
- Marketing
- Facilities management
- Regulatory compliance (health, safety, environmental)
Applications
Applications should take the form of a CV and a short covering note explaining your interest in the role and demonstrating how you match criteria sought.
Applications should be sent by email togillianslater@gemworkspaces.com by 10 April 2026.
If you wish to discuss the role please contact us and we will arrange for one of our existing trustees to call you.
GEM Workspaces Ltd, The Wright Business Centre, 1 Lonmay Rd, Glasgow G33 4EL.
Tel. 0141 773 6200.
Board responsibilities
- Support and provide advice on GEM’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
- Approve GEM’s operational strategy and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
- Provide support and challenge to the General Manager and her small team in the exercise of their delegated authority.
- Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
- Oversee GEM’s budget, monitor financial progress, and review and approve annual financial statements.
- Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
- Keep abreast of changes in GEM’s operating environment.
- Attend board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
- Use independent judgement, acting in good faith to promote and protect GEM’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal or any third party interests.
- Contribute to the broader promotion of GEM’s objects, aims and reputation through application of their skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
Time commitment
Under normal circumstances, there are six board meetings annually, held at the Wright Business Centre during normal office hours (and each of approximately two hours duration). Board papers are issued in advance of each meeting. Trustees are expected to provide additional support to the small team at GEM in matters of their own expertise.
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