Chief Executive Officer, British Exploring Society

British Exploring Society is a world-class youth development charity with a unique heritage and a large, engaged membership of volunteers and supporters. It provides young people with expeditions and adventures to remote and wild environments in the UK and overseas to foster resilience and confidence. It believes that challenging experiences can transform lives, empowering and equipping young people with the courage, integrity, skills, and motivation to make the most of their future.

The Society is looking for a new Chief Executive Officer who will lead it towards its Centenary in 2032, ensuring it has the stable foundations required to continue fulfilling its purpose of helping young people to unlock their self-belief and ‘Find their Fire’.

The Chief Executive Officer reports to the Chair of the Trustee Board (‘Council’) and has overall responsibility for all aspects of the strategic and operational leadership of the charity. This is an opportunity to lead a truly remarkable organisation that has a profound and life-changing impact on the lives of young people.

The CEO must be both an inspiring leader and a good manager. We are looking for someone who can see the ‘big picture’ and who can think strategically. But they must also have strong attention to detail and be able to grapple with day-to-day operational challenges. Above all, the CEO must be a passionate champion of British Exploring Society’s core intent – keeping everything it does anchored towards unlocking the self-belief of young people, even as it continually adapts and iterates to respond to the changing needs of its beneficiaries, and the evolving environment in which it delivers its programmes.

To download additional information, to ask a question, or to apply, please click on the links below.

The deadline for receipt of applications is midday GMT on Monday 6th October 2025.

British Exploring Society is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone – regardless of background, identity, or lived experience – can thrive. As such, it welcomes applications from all qualified candidates and actively encourage those from underrepresented or marginalised groups to apply. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.