Our elected trustees need to be passionate about improving foster care for children and young people in the UK, and about The Fostering Network and its role. But beyond that they need to bring skills and experience which enable them to govern a large, successful and complex charity and membership organisation like The Fostering Network.

Chair of The Fostering Network’s board Philip Brown explains: 'Now is a really exciting time for The Fostering Network. In 2014 we reviewed our strategic objectives, adding a new focus on working with children and young people, as well as renewing our commitment to supporting all our members.

'We have our new chief executive, Kevin Williams, and senior management team in place, and we are looking to develop a board that can provide Kevin and his team with the guidance, management and support they need as we lead the organisation in the next phase of its journey.

'Diversifying our income is an essential part of our strategy to develop our services and increase our impact in these financially challenging times. That’s why we’re particularly looking for trustees who can bring senior commercial management, financial, marketing or high level fundraising skills and connections, to help establish and generate new income streams and to complement the range of skills we already have on the board.'

Our newest board member, Martyn McCormack says: 'I see my role as helping The Fostering Network go from strength to strength, so that it can continue its work making life better for fostered children and the families that look after them. My business skills, developed throughout my career in management, sit alongside my fostering experience in helping me to guide the charity in the right direction.'

If you combine a passion for foster care and The Fostering Network with business, financial or fundraising skills, and would like to become one of the charity’s trustees, nomination forms are available on our website at www.fostering.net/elections​

The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Friday 11 September. If you have any problems obtaining a nomination form, please call 020 7620 6400.

A full list of nominees and details of how and when our members can vote will appear in the autumn issue of Foster Care magazine and on our website.