Chair of the Board

Ethical Property Company Oxford United Kingdom Other
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Company Description

Formed in 1998 and with the investment of over 1,300 shareholders we own / manage 19 centres across England, Scotland and Wales and support over 1,000 changemaking organisations. Our portfolio is valued in excess of £60 million and our spaces are as diverse as our tenants. We currently have centres in Bath, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Oxford and Sheffield.

Our tenants work across a wide-range of fields from campaign groups through to farmers markets selling local produce. The results of our 2020 tenants survey showed that 91% thought we offered good value, and 89% said they would recommend us.

We work to a triple bottom line which is set out in our Quintessentials, which places equal importance on our financial, environmental and social performance, with all three elements being externally audited. Whilst being focused on the UK we have also helped establish a family of sister companies in Belgium, France and Australia.


Further information can be found at www.ethicalproperty.co.uk and in our Annual Report.

Position

The Ethical Property Company is seeking a Chair, to join the current board of 7 Non-executive Directors and one Executive Director.

The Chair will provide leadership and direction to the Board enabling it to fulfil its responsibility for the overall governance and strategic direction of the company.


The Chair will ensure that the organisation complies with its governing documents, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations, and that the organisation adheres to the standards defined in the Quintessentials.


The Chair will work in partnership with the Managing Director and Senior Management Team to achieve the aims of the organisation; optimise the relationship between the Board and employees and ensure the views of our stakeholders – investors, tenants and local communities are taken into account and reflected in our decisions.


The ideal Candidate is an experienced Non-Executive Chair who has the capacity to build relationships, manage conflicts, and is able to focus on the bigger picture.

In addition to the general responsibilities of a Non-Executive Director, the Chair has a number of responsibilities specific to their role, including;

  • Providing leadership to the Board in its role of setting the vision, strategy and policy of the organisation
  • Ensuring that the triple bottom line is considered in all of our decisions
  • Planning the annual cycle of Board meetings, setting the agendas and chairing and facilitating the Board meetings and AGM
  • Giving direction to the Board on policy-making
  • Ensuring that discussions lead to decisions with clear allocation of responsibility for implementation
  • Monitoring the progress of decisions made by the Board
  • Representing the organisation at external events and developing positive working relationships with stakeholders
  • Reviewing and appraising the performance of the Managing Director and Board members
  • Optimizing the relationship between the Board and employees
  • Acting as final stage adjudicator for disciplinary and grievance procedures if required

Requirements

Essential qualities

  • A commitment to the values of the Company and its triple bottom line
  • Experience of successfully chairing a Board or committee
  • Proven team leadership skills including expertise in drawing out the skills and talents of team members to ensure maximum team performance
  • Able to take responsibility for the board’s composition and development
  • Highly effective communicator with experience of building and managing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
  • Able to see the big picture and proven experience of shaping strategy and taking strategic decisions to deliver plans
  • Evidence of ability to deliver constructive challenge
  • Knowledge of good governance and how this shapes Board behaviour
  • Experience of sound and prudent financial management
  • Experience of performance management and how it can be used to enhance outcomes

Desirable qualities

  • An understanding of the commercial property market
  • Marketing and communications experience
  • Experience of raising equity and debt capital, from institutions and retail investors, particularly in the social investment market
  • Experience in managing risk, including the assessment of risk, risk mitigation and knowledge of the Audit function
  • Entrepreneurial skills and/or experience of innovation
  • Knowledge of, or experience of, working within a social change or environmental organisation

Desirable qualities

  • An understanding of the commercial property market
  • Marketing and communications experience
  • Experience of raising equity and debt capital, from institutions and retail investors, particularly in the social investment market
  • Experience in managing risk, including the assessment of risk, risk mitigation and knowledge of the Audit function.
  • Entrepreneurial skills and/or experience of innovation
  • Knowledge of, or experience of, working within a social change or environmental organisation.

Other information

Contractual terms

This role comes with a professional fee of £9,250 a year. We will also reimburse you for all reasonable expenses incurred in performing the duties of your office.

The fee is based on an assumption of around 2 days per month on average. You will be expected to attend four Board meetings and one strategy day each year. You will also sit on the Remuneration & Nominations subcommittee and be called upon to provide further support in specialist areas.

All directors must retire by rotation but can, with the agreement of the Board, re-stand for election at the company’s AGM.


Applications

If you would like to discuss the position, please contact:

[email protected]

Please fill the application form below and upload your C.V. and a statement of suitability summarising your skills and experience, why you are interested in becoming Chair of Ethical Property and why you are suitable for the role.

The first round of interviews will be held online on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th of January 2022 with the second round being held in person at The Foundry on Monday 24th of January 2022. The successful candidate will attend our Board meeting in February 2022. The existing Directors are able to appoint new directors until the next AGM, when they must be voted in for a two or three-year term.