Commercial & Estates Director

This is a rare opportunity to join Quakers in Britain (QiB) as its next Commercial & Estates Director, a pivotal leadership role at the intersection of commercial enterprise, property stewardship and organisational purpose. Reporting to the Deputy Recording Clerk (Strategy & Effectiveness) and serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the successful candidate will lead a diverse portfolio of commercial, operational and estates functions that generate vital income and support the long-term sustainability of the organisation.

Quakers in Britain is the national charity supporting Quaker communities across England, Scotland and Wales. It works with and on behalf of approximately 18,000 Quakers through a network of 456 local meetings, while advancing longstanding commitments to peace, equality, sustainability and social justice. For more than 350 years, Quakers have played a significant role in social change, and today QiB continues that work through programmes, campaigning, community support, governance and outreach activities.

Commercial activity is delivered through a wholly owned trading subsidiary which operates:

Friends House in London, a leading conference and events venue with café and retail offering opposite Euston Station

Swarthmoor Hall in Cumbria, the historic home of Quakerism

Together these operations generate approximately £4.5 million in annual revenue, providing an important contribution to the wider mission of the charity. Last year alone, commercial activities generated £1.4 million in support of Quakers in Britain's charitable work. The postholder will oversee a combined budget of approximately £10 million.

The role leads four senior direct reports:

Head of Operations, responsible for conferencing, retail, catering and café operations;

Head of Events, leading sales, event delivery and marketing;

Head of Estates & Facilities, responsible for the organisation's property portfolio and facilities services;

General Manager of Swarthmoor Hall, overseeing accommodation, hospitality, visitor experiences and commercial operations at the historic site.

The postholder also serves as the Senior Leadership Team's principal liaison to the Commercial Board, the dedicated trading board comprising Charity Trustees and external commercial experts.

This is an exciting time to join Quakers in Britain. Following a recent restructure and the introduction of a new five-year strategy, the organisation is well positioned for its next phase of development. The Commercial and Estates & Facilities departments are already high-performing parts of the organisation, and we are seeking a leader who can build on these strong foundations, bring fresh commercial insight, and drive further growth and impact.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative, values-led organisation of around 180 staff working across London, Cumbria, Leeds and beyond. While applicants do not need to be Quakers, they will be inspired by the opportunity to combine commercial leadership with a strong sense of purpose, underpinned by values including integrity, sustainability, equality and respect for others.

In return, Quakers in Britain offers a salary of £73,300, a generous pension scheme, flexible working arrangements, excellent leave provisions, and the opportunity to play a significant role in shaping the future of a distinctive organisation that has been driving positive change for generations.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please speak with our advisors at Berwick Partners:

Jodi Beauchamp

Consultant

Berwick Partners

(0)

Closing date for applications: Thursday 26th November 2026.