Board Trainee
| Posting date: | 02 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £2,000 per year |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 02 May 2026 |
| Location: | NE12 8EG |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Karbon Homes |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | RQ00001631-60897 |
Summary
Come and make a difference at Karbon as a Board Trainee
About the role
Are you inspired by the opportunity to make a positive difference to people and communities? If so, our Board Trainee role may be an exciting and rewarding opportunity.
At Karbon, we build, manage and look after homes for people across the North. And then we go further, we give them the strong foundations they need to get on with life.
We have joined up with the Housing Diversity Network (HDN) to deliver a two-year learning, development and mentoring programme, offering a supported route into governance.
Over two years, you will build governance capability and strategic confidence through structured learning and hands-on experience. The programme includes a Strengthscope® assessment, access to HDN’s online learning and events and membership of a national peer network. This is all designed to develop your leadership potential and prepare you for future governance roles in housing and the wider public and third sectors.
What you will gain:
- Governance foundations: A clear grounding in board responsibilities, assurance and good governance.
- Practical exposure: Firsthand experience of Board and Committee meetings and decision making.
- Paper and meeting confidence: Improved ability to read, interpret and contribute to Board papers and discussions.
- Mentoring: One-to-one support from experienced board members.
- Peer network: A national cohort of emerging leaders to learn with and from.
- Portfolio of learning: Evidence of development and experience to support future governance applications.
- Career launchpad: A strong route into board roles across the housing sector and beyond.
About you
We know that the path to board membership can seem daunting and not everyone will feel they have the necessary expertise or experience, which is how this programme can help. It’s designed to offer you the opportunity to develop your skills, knowledge and confidence – and to help you to flourish – regardless of where you currently stand. We’re committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
We believe diverse leadership is not just fair, it’s a competitive advantage. Bringing different backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences into the boardroom improves decision making, drives innovation and delivers better outcomes for our customers. Housing is one of the defining issues of our time, so your voice will help shape real decisions affecting real people and communities.
You don’t need a CV full of board experience - we’re looking for curious, ambitious, emerging leaders who bring fresh thinking and a commitment to social purpose. You might be early in an executive role, working in the public, private or third sector or bringing lived experience that adds a new perspective.
We aren’t looking for the finished article – just potential, commitment and the confidence to challenge constructively matter more than prior board experience.
You’ll join a welcoming, forward thinking boardroom culture that invests in developing leadership skills that will set you apart. We provide induction, meeting preparation, flexible assessment options and reasonable adjustments so the programme is accessible to people with different commitments and needs.
Key Information
Here is some key information you’ll want to know right away:
- You will join us for a two-year trainee programme
- We will pay you a fee while you undertake the programme of £2,000 per annum plus reasonable expenses
- The time commitment is up to two days a month
- We can’t guarantee that you’ll be offered a board or committee role with us at the end of your two-year programme – but we do commit to helping you gain the skills you need to put you in a strong position to apply for a role.
If this is an opportunity you are interested in, then please read the Board Trainee Application pack, with more details on the role and how to apply: Board Trainee Application Pack.
Important dates
Find out more at our Virtual Open Event via Microsoft Teams, 11am-12pm on Monday 13 April 2026.
This one-hour virtual open event provides an opportunity for people who are interested in applying for role to find out more, hear from a current trainee and ask any questions you may have about the programme.
Please email governance&risk@karbonhomes.co.uk to book your place on the event.
Closing date for applications
5pm on Wednesday 22 April 2026.
How to apply
If this sounds like the role for you then please apply through the Karbon Homes website https://jobs.karbonhomes.co.uk/.
You will need to supply an up-to-date CV and complete a brief online application form. In the Supporting Statement section of the application form, you will need to provide an answer to these questions:
- Why are you interested in joining thisprogramme?
- What can you bring to the role and to Karbon?
- How do you meet the person specification?
- What personal development do you hope to get out of being a Board Trainee?
We are committed to equality and diversity and are an inclusive employer. We welcome applications from people of all ages, disability/non-disability, ethnicities, genders, religions, sexualities, transgender status, and cultural backgrounds.
Any candidate with a disability who meets the essential criteria for the post will be guaranteed an interview.
If you need a reasonable adjustment to apply, then please contact governance&risk@karbonhomes.co.uk.
- Why are you interested in joining thisprogramme?
- We can’t guarantee that you’ll be offered a board or committee role with us at the end of your two-year programme – but we do commit to helping you gain the skills you need to put you in a strong position to apply for a role.
- The time commitment is up to two days a month
- We will pay you a fee while you undertake the programme of £2,000 per annum plus reasonable expenses
- You will join us for a two-year trainee programme
- Career launchpad: A strong route into board roles across the housing sector and beyond.
- Portfolio of learning: Evidence of development and experience to support future governance applications.
- Peer network: A national cohort of emerging leaders to learn with and from.
- Mentoring: One-to-one support from experienced board members.
- Paper and meeting confidence: Improved ability to read, interpret and contribute to Board papers and discussions.
- Practical exposure: Firsthand experience of Board and Committee meetings and decision making.