Thank you for your interest in the role of Chair of Trustees at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).

NatCen is Britain’s largest independent social research organisation and, for more than 50 years, has played an important role in helping the country understand itself. Through rigorous evidence, insight and research, we inform public understanding, policy and decision making on the issues that shape people’s lives. Since our establishment in 1969, we have remained committed to high quality, independent and impactful social research that gives the public a meaningful voice and serves the common good.

At the heart of NatCen’s work is a simple but powerful purpose: the power of understanding. By listening to people without an agenda, at scale and in depth, we help decision makers understand how society is changing, why it matters and what those changes may mean for the future. Our work spans many of the most important and complex challenges facing the UK today, including health, education, social care, work and employment, housing, crime and justice, inequality, public attitudes and the future of public services. We do this using a range of research methods, from large scale social surveys and secondary analysis of existing data to evaluations and in-depth qualitative research.

We work closely with governments, charities, academic institutions and public bodies, while maintaining the independence and integrity that underpin our reputation and credibility. As a not-for-profit organisation, NatCen is driven by purpose rather than commercial or political interests. That independence is fundamental to the trust placed in us by policymakers, partners, stakeholders and the public, and to our ability to bring clarity to complex social issues through robust and trusted evidence.

NatCen is governed by a committed and experienced Board of Trustees, bringing a broad range of perspectives and expertise from across research, public service, academia, policy, finance and organisational leadership. The Board plays an important role in stewarding NatCen’s charitable purpose, supporting the executive team and ensuring the organisation remains responsive, sustainable and impactful.

Our current Chair, Sir Stuart Etherington, will complete his final term of office in February 2027. We are therefore beginning the process of appointing his successor, enabling a thoughtful and well‑planned transition over the coming year.

This appointment comes at an important moment for both NatCen and the wider social research sector. Society is changing rapidly through shifts in technology, data, public expectations and public debate, and NatCen must continue to evolve alongside it. At the same time, the need for trusted, rigorous and independent evidence to help inform debate, shape policy and navigate uncertainty has arguably never been greater.

I hope this information gives you a sense of NatCen’s purpose, values and contribution, and of the important role the Chair plays in guiding the organisation’s future direction and long-term impact. I joined the NatCen Board of Trustees in 2025, and was delighted to do so, having started my career at NatCen many decades ago. Since then, I’ve been very struck by the talent of my fellow Trustees as well as that of NatCen’s staff. I thank you for your interest in NatCen and in the opportunity to contribute to an organisation whose work continues to make a meaningful difference to society.

The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) is a registered charity and is the largest independent and not-for-profit social research organisation in the UK. NatCen was founded in 1969 by Sir Roger Jowell and Gerald Hoinville with the aim of carrying out rigorous social policy research to improve society.

We understand people

We are interested in what people really think and really do. Over the last 50 years we’ve asked the public what they think about thousands of different issues, enabling us to collect evidence to help inform policy decisions and present insights into human behaviour and attitudes.

We set the standard in social research

We deliver specialist expertise and experience, driving innovation in survey methods and methodology, providing a variety of research solutions to help you understand your stakeholders better.

Social research relies on giving everybody a voice. And that means finding new ways to engage with challenging or under-represented groups. We are seen as leaders in this field and are regularly asked to work with the most hard to reach audiences.

We are known for our annual British Social Attitudes survey, first published in 1983. This is Britain’s longest-running annual survey of public attitudes and can be accessed for research through the UK Data Service.

In addition to British Social Attitudes, NatCen collects a number of official national statistics on behalf of the UK government and government bodies. These include the English Housing Survey, Health Survey for England, National Diet and Nutrition Survey and the Scottish Health Survey.

The power of understanding

For over 50 years, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has been generating evidence that uncovers the reality of people’s lives in the UK. We engage with and listen to the public, ensuring their voice and experience helps to shape the decisions and services that affect their lives.

Research excellence is the foundation of what we do – and it always has been. We are home to the brightest minds in social research. Working across a broad range of methods and sectors, we push boundaries and embrace cutting-edge approaches in our quest to unearth rigorous evidence about the society we live in.

We partner with governments, NGOs, charities and other organisations to drive understanding – helping them to make sound decisions that shape society. From climate change to health, we bring the public voice to the heart of debates around some of the biggest issues of our time.

We ask the right questions, of the right people, in the right way

Social research needs careful and sensitive interviewing by specialists. Our field force are the very best at what they do. We also have nurses working for us who are able to collect clinical and biomedical data.

Our work relies on giving everybody a voice, and that means finding ways of engaging challenging or under-represented groups. We are seen as the leaders in this field, and you can find out more about our policy expertise and innovative methods.

Who we work with  

Our customers include government, think tanks, charities, businesses, universities and other research and commercial organisations.  Key customers include the Department for Health, Department for Work and Pensions, the Scottish Government, Office for National Statistics and University College London.

The research we do helps government and charities make the right decisions about the big issues and we’re passionate about ensuring its widest possible impact on the world around us. Our reputation for delivering relevant and robust research is down to our policy sector specialists, survey methodologists, data analysts and expert quantitative and qualitative researchers.

As a not for profit organisation we are never compromised by commercial or political agendas.

Our Research

We have been generating evidence that uncovers the reality of people’s lives and society in the UK since 1969.

Research themes and key topics

We partner with government, charities and other research organisations to help them better connect with and understand the public. Through explaining what people really think, feel and do, we help decision makers to make more confident and informed choices.

Further information about our work is here: https://natcen.ac.uk/ 

You can view our Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 June 2025 here

The trustees of NatCen Social Research are as follows:

• • Sir Stuart Etherington – Current Chair
  • Alison Park
  • Bruce Gordon
  • Helen Barnard
  • Professor Ian Rivers
  • James Brooks
  • Mark Duke
  • Nina Skero
  • Oliver Foster
  • Phyliss Macfarlane
  • Saratha Rajeswaran
  • Sundari Anitha

Profiles for each can be found here – https://natcen.ac.uk/who-we-are/leadership

This is a voluntary, unremunerated, post.

The Chair will be appointed for an initial 4-year term with the opportunity to extend for two further 3-year periods subject to board performance reviews.

The appointment term is in line with Charity Commission Good governance guidance.

Reasonable travel expenses directly incurred in the role as Chair, on NatCen business, are reimbursed.

 Time Commitment

The time commitment is approximately 15 -20 days a year, comprising 4 Board meetings, other strategy and committee meetings and a Board Away Day. The Chair and trustees are also encouraged to attend other events as ambassadors for NatCen.

It is important that the Chair is available for regular conversations with the Chief Executive.

Trustee Board Meetings

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to NatCen, an executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

The closing date for applications is Friday 31st July 2026.

Applications should consist of:

• A full CV.
• A cover letter (maximum of two pages) outlining your motivations for the role and how you meet the essential criteria of the person specification.
• Please include details of two referees in either your CV or covering letter, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact Paul Aristides at paul.aristides@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7825 871 944 or Carolyn Coates at carolyn.coates@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7825 871 944. .