Jobs

Call for New Trustees

About the Pluto educational Trust

The Pluto Educational Trust (PET) is a UK-registered charity founded in 2010 to safeguard the future of independent radical publishing. Established as custodian of Pluto Press, PET has since evolved into a dynamic network of organisations and educational projects.

Today, PET supports and connects a growing ecosystem that includes Pluto Press, Pluto Journals (a Diamond Open Access Social Science publisher), The Decolonial Centre, and The Ameena Gafoor Institute for the Study of Indentureship and its Legacies, and the Left Book Club.  

Our mission is to support publishing and educational initiatives that empower writers, researchers, campaigners, and movements striving for systemic change. We believe that knowledge production is foundational to resilient and transformative social movements.

Our work focuses on three interconnected roles: Custodianship of radical publishing institutions; Incubation of new educational and movement-facing projects; and Building Networks that enable collaboration, learning, and collective action.

The Call

We are seeking 3–4 new Trustees to join our Board as we expand our impact. Please note that no prior trustee experience is necessary.

Our main priorities are to find: 

  • a trustee with charity governance and/or legal experience to support PET in its development and implementation of risk mitigation, ensuring the charity and our network is prepared, protected, and resilient going forward. 

  • trustees who can represent PET on our subsidiary boards

  • a trustee with knowledge and experience of financial systems and reporting, including ethical management of assets and funds. This trustee will initially shadow our treasurer, who will step down in 2027, to ensure a smooth transition.

As a Trustee, you will contribute to the strategic direction, governance, and sustainability of PET and its network. Depending on your background and interests, you may take on a non-executive role within one of our associated companies (e.g. Pluto Press or Pluto Journals) or support a specific project or committee. We are particularly interested in candidates who bring experience in one or more of the following areas:

  • Charity governance and/or charity law

  • Publishing (books, academic libraries,  journals, or open access models) 

  • Financial oversight and ethical asset management

  • Fundraising, legacy giving, or donor development

  • Organisational development and coaching

  • AI, Digital systems, communications, or infrastructure

  • Movement-building or connections within aligned networks

We are committed to strengthening the diversity of our Board and expanding our reach across different communities, geographies, and perspectives.

Key Areas of Focus

  • Pluto Journals: supporting its growth as a leading Diamond Open Access publisher, including international initiatives such as the African Journals Initiative programme. We have one seat on the Pluto Journals Board.

  • Pluto Press: helping shape strategy and governance as one of the world’s longest-standing independent radical publishers, who have published authors such as bell hooks, Augusto Boal, Sheila Rowbotham, David Harvey and Francesca Albanese. We have two places reserved on the Pluto Press Board.

  • Incubated Projects: supporting initiatives like The Decolonial Centre and other emerging projects such as the Radical Memory project.

  • Core PET Governance: strengthening systems, resilience, and long-term sustainability

Role & Responsibilities

Trustees, appointed for a term of three years, share collective responsibility for the governance and strategic direction of PET. This includes:

  • Ensuring PET fulfils its charitable objectives and operates in the public interest

  • Contributing to strategic planning and decision-making

  • Overseeing financial health and responsible resource management

  • Supporting risk identification and mitigation

  • Advocating for PET’s work and expanding its networks

Time Commitment

  • Five online board meetings and one in-person strategy day per year

  • Participation on a board of one of PET’s companies and/or a subcommittee of one of PET’s projects

  • Occasional mentoring or advisory support to a PET project or partner organisation

This is a voluntary role, with reasonable expenses covered.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for people who:

  • are committed to PET’s mission and values

  • bring relevant skills or experience of issues related to our work

  • are thoughtful, collaborative, and willing to contribute actively

  • can balance critical thinking with collective decision-making

  • act with integrity and in the best interests of the Trust 

  • have strong relational skills and are willing to express opinions while listening to and respecting the views of others. 

Our core values are Internationalism, Collaboration, and Intergenerationality.

How to Apply

To express interest, please send:

  • A CV 

  • A brief statement outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role

We are especially keen to hear what experiences you’ve had supporting organisations, movements, or publishing initiatives, and which aspects of the Trustee role most interest you.

If you would like to speak to the Executive Director or Chair ahead of applying, please get in touch.  If this role isn’t right for you but you know someone who would be a great fit, please share this with them. 

Please send applications to: Pauline Tiffen (Chair): ptiffen@plutoeducationaltrust.organd Desta Haile (Trustee): destahaile@gmail.com

Deadline: 1 May 2026                                                                                          

For more information on what being a trustee entails, please see The Charity Commission website. You can see previous Annual Reports here.

Download Role Description