Advisory Board Member

FUSE Network Advisory Board

We are thrilled to be establishing an Advisory Board to help shape and strengthen our work as we grow. Advisory Board members will provide strategic insight, act as ambassadors for social enterprise in Norfolk, and guide the reapplication process for Norwich’s Social Enterprise Place status.

We would also like to open the opportunity to join our Board of Directors to Advisory Board Members in the future. 

Key responsibilities

• Strategic support: Contribute to the development of FUSE Network’s vision, programmes, and impact
• Be an ambassador: Champion social enterprise locally and regionally, helping raise the profile of the sector
• Steering role: Help shape the direction and delivery of the Norwich Social Enterprise Place reapplication
• Insight and guidance: Share your experience, networks, and knowledge to support our work and community

Note: This is an advisory role rather than a governance position, and it does not carry legal or financial responsibilities.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for individuals who are passionate about the power of social enterprise to drive positive change in communities and local economies. You might be:

• A social enterprise leader
• Someone working within the VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) sector who deeply understands the challenges and opportunities facing social enterprises
• A professional with relevant expertise who wants to support systems change through social enterprise
• Well-connected in Norfolk’s place-based networks and committed to supporting inclusive local economic development

You don’t need to have sat on an advisory board or similar before or be from an established enterprise. If you’re committed to strengthening the social enterprise model and want to play a part in supporting the supporters of Norfolk’s communities, we’d love to hear from you.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience, from racialised communities, disabled people, members of the LGBTQ+ community, younger people, and others underrepresented in leadership, advisory and board roles.

Why join us?

Being part of the FUSE Network Advisory Board gives you the chance to:

• Champion the social enterprise model as a powerful tool for creating fairer, more resilient local economies
• Contribute to shaping local strategy and action on social enterprise
• Connect with others working to create meaningful impact across Norfolk and beyond
• Be part of a values-led, ambitious and collaborative initiative
• Create a ripple effect by supporting the supporters and helping social enterprises that are directly improving lives, strengthening communities, and building a fairer local economy

What to expect

• Meeting commitment: Advisory Board members are expected to attend 4–6 meetings per year, with most held online for flexibility. We aim to hold at least one in-person meeting annually in Norfolk.
• Time involvement: In addition to core meetings, members may be invited to offer occasional support or input on specific areas of FUSE’s work, such as strategic development, partnerships, or events via email, WhatsApp or ad-hoc additional meetings.
• Being an ambassador: Members are encouraged to act as ambassadors for FUSE and for the wider social enterprise movement, helping to raise awareness, champion the sector, and strengthen connections across Norfolk.
• Local knowledge: We’re particularly interested in individuals who are embedded in Norfolk’s social enterprise ecosystem or work closely alongside it whether through delivery, policy, funding, infrastructure, or community engagement.

This is a voluntary role, with reasonable expenses (such as travel costs for in-person meetings) reimbursed. While we currently can’t offer additional payments, we will keep this under review and, where possible and appropriate, work towards ways to recognise members’ time and expertise in the future.

How to apply

We want the application process to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. While we do have a short set of key questions we’d like everyone to answer, you can choose how you respond.

You can apply by:

• Completing this expression of interest form
• Sending an email, voice note or video that answers the same questions
• Starting a conversation with us by asking a question

We’ll be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and will keep the process open until we feel the Advisory Board has the right number and mix of experiences to support our work effectively.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an informal virtual or in-person chat with our CEO, Willow Farrell, and another board member. 

We’d love to hear from you and to work together in supporting Norfolk’s social enterprise community!