Chair, Marine Management Organisation

£40,489 per annum – 96 days

About the appointment

Introduction from the Minister

Dear candidate,

Thank you for your interest in becoming Chair of the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

The MMO is the Government’s principal body for managing the seas around England and helps to deliver our ambitious vision for clean, healthy, safe, productive, and biologically diverse oceans and seas.

The MMO holds a key role in enabling fishing activities in UK waters including effective management of fisheries to fulfil commitments under the Fisheries Act and Joint Fisheries Statement. Alongside these activities the MMO supports growth, local communities, the trade in fish, and protecting and enhancing our precious marine environment for the benefit of generations to come.

The successful candidate will provide active direction and leadership to the MMO and work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and partners within the Defra group and beyond.

If you think that you can take on this rewarding role, then I strongly encourage you to apply. I particularly encourage applications from talented people from all backgrounds to ensure the Board reflects our diverse society and takes an inclusive and equitable approach. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of the society they serve, and this is part of the Government’s agenda.

Daniel Zeichner MP

Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs

Appointment description

Role Specification

The Non-Executive Chair of the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is responsible for leading the Board and setting the strategic and operational direction of the MMO. The Chair will work closely with the Board, the executive team, Defra, and other key stakeholders to ensure the MMO fulfils its statutory duties, promotes good governance, and delivers its objectives effectively.

Key Responsibilities:

  1. Leadership and Strategic Direction

  • Provide strong, effective leadership to the Board, fostering a collaborative and cohesive approach.

  • Set the overall strategic direction of the MMO. Ensure the organisation aligns with Ministerial and government priorities, with a focus on driving sustainable economic growth, supporting nature’s recovery, and contributing to the Clean Energy Superpower mission.

  • Facilitate a culture of innovation, encouraging the exploration of new, efficient ways of working to ensure the organisation operates within its financial means while maximizing impact.

  • Lead the Board in formulating and delivering the MMO’s strategy, ensuring compliance with the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and other relevant legislation.

  1. Governance and Accountability

  • Ensure high standards of governance and propriety across the MMO.

  • Lead the Board in scrutinising and holding the executive team accountable for the delivery of business plans and strategic objectives.

  • Ensure decisions are evidence-based and take into account guidance from Ministers and Defra.

  • Promote alignment with Defra’s wider Group Corporate Services model by identifying and implementing more efficient and cost-effective approaches to delivering essential corporate services, such as finance, HR, and IT

  1. Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

  • Represent the MMO, engaging with key stakeholders to ensure the organisation’s role and objectives are clearly understood.

  • Build strong relationships with delivery bodies and partner organisations, ensuring cohesive policy implementation and service delivery.

  • Act as an advocate for the MMO’s work on marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and sectoral development.

  1. Board and Executive Oversight

  • Oversee the timely development of realistic and costed business plans and forward corporate plans, ensuring effective performance monitoring.

  • Lead oversight of change and reform programmes, ensuring these are effectively implemented while maintaining focus on MMO’s core objectives.

  • Support and challenge the CEO in driving the organisation’s operational and strategic goals.

  • Ensure the smooth functioning of the Board, ensuring Members are managed and deployed effectively

  1. Engagement with Ministers and Parliament

  • Maintain regular contact with Defra Ministers and the Secretary of State, providing updates on progress delivering against priorities and key issues on a no-surprises basis.

  • Accompany Ministers, when required, to Select Committee hearings or other parliamentary engagements.

  • The Chair will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the MMO delivers its statutory duties efficiently while contributing to the UK’s marine and environmental goals.

Organisation description

MMO’s purpose is to protect and enhance our precious marine environment and support UK economic growth by enabling sustainable marine activities and development.
MMO are responsible for:
Managing and monitoring fishing fleet sizes and quotas for catches
Ensuring compliance with fisheries regulations, such as fishing vessel licences, time at sea and quotas for fish and seafood
Managing funding programmes for fisheries activities
Planning and licencing for marine construction, deposits and dredging that may have an environmental or social impact
Making marine conservation byelaws
Dealing with marine pollution emergencies, including oil spills
Helping to prevent illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing worldwide
Producing marine plans to include all marine activities, including those we don’t directly regulate
Find out more by visiting Marine Management Organisation – GOV.UK

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

  • Influential Leadership and Change Management?? Ability to provide strategic leadership and drive change in a complex organisation while maintaining high-quality services. Able to lead and inspire diverse teams, clearly communicate vision and objectives, and develop innovative approaches to improve performance and operational delivery.
  • Strategic and Analytical Thinking?? Exceptional analytical skills, with the ability to assess complex issues impartially and creatively. Able to work at a strategic level, focusing on solutions and driving substantial, long-term changes that align with the organisation’s objectives.
  • Stakeholder Engagement and Influence?? The ability to command the confidence of senior stakeholders. Skilled at building strong relationships, fostering collaboration, and influencing decision-making at senior levels.
  • Integrity and Strong Governance?? A commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and impartiality. Able to ensure effective governance, promote accountability, and drive efficiency across the organisation.

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