Chair

Cricket Builds Hope (CBH) is a dynamic charity that uses the power of sport for positive social change in Rwanda. Founded in 2011 in memory of Christopher Shale, a pivotal moment in CBH's history was the opening of the Gahanga Cricket Stadium in 2017. CBH raised over £1.25m to build this striking, state-of-the-art facility which now hosts ICC international tournaments and serves as a base for CBH's programmes. Throughout this period, CBH has been and continues to be involved in the management of the Stadium. The plan is for this role to transition over to the Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) (who are in charge of the development of cricket in country) in the near future.

Since 2017, CBH has a track record of delivering significant, tangible impact through cricket and social programmes. CBH integrates cricket with workshops focused on supporting the education and livelihoods of young people, making a significant difference to their lives and future prospects. The charity's key recent achievements include supporting over 200 children with sexual and reproductive health knowledge, graduating over 350 women from its Women's Empowerment Programme, running cricket and life skills (including English lessons) weekend and holiday camps for up to 600 children per day, and in 2024 helping over 120 young cricketers return to education. In 2025 CBH plans to introduce a new strategic programme for adolescents and to work with RCA to establish a cricket hub/academy at the Stadium.

The Board is now seeking to appoint a new Chair to lead CBH into its next chapter. This will be an unremunerated role, though reasonable expenses may be reimbursed.

The ideal candidate will have:

A Passion for CBH's Mission: A deep commitment to using cricket as a tool for positive social change and empowering communities in Rwanda.

Sector Experience: Knowledge and/or experience in international development, ideally including with a specific focus in using sport for development.

Strategic Leadership: The ability to set the vision and strategic direction and lead the Board and Executive Team in achieving CBH's ambitious goals. This includes recruiting and mentoring the members of the Board, and Charity Director. It includes the ability to work alongside external stakeholders, including funders, the RCA and the Rwandan Government.

Fundraising Expertise: A strong track record in fundraising (including grant funding) and the ability to cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including potential foundations, HNW individuals, and corporate donors.

Financial and Performance Oversight: Solid understanding of financial management and how to monitor and evaluate the performance of the charity, ensuring effectiveness and long-term sustainability.

Governance Experience: A deep understanding of governance principles and best practices to ensure the effective functioning of the Board.

An appreciation of Rwandan context: An understanding of the context of Rwandan development will be beneficial though not essential, but a willingness to travel to Rwanda to gain a deeper understanding of the programmes the charity is running will be important.

This is a unique opportunity to support a high-profile organisation with the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of Rwandan communities and contribute to the development of cricket in the country.

To Apply: Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment advisor to CBH on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit using reference HBSPA. Applications should be received by noon on Tuesday 11th March. Please note.