Non Executive Directorships

Chair of the London Surface Water Strategic Group

Location: London

Date Posted: 05/10/2023

Closing Date: 05/11/2023

£17500 per annum – Ad hoc

About the role

Introduction

Surface water flooding is one of the greatest unmitigated risks in London and following decades of urban development and the increasing impact of climate change, surface water presents one of the greatest risks to households, businesses and the London economy. A new strategy is being co-developed by responsible agencies in the city to establish a long-term plan for managing surface water across the capital and an independent chair is sought to lead the group.

The position of Chair of the London Surface Water Strategic Group (LSWSG) provides a unique opportunity to drive the strategic co-ordination and collaboration necessary to create a step-change in London’s resilience to surface water flooding. As Chair, you will lead a senior-level, multi-agency group of partners in developing and delivering an ambitious new vision and world-leading strategy for London.

We require a visionary, dynamic chair to unite and harness the commitment of the many partners, including the public, in creating a London that is not only much more resilient to the rising risk of surface water flooding, but a more sustainable and equitable city.

You should have a good understanding of the London political environment but remain impartial in your role as chair. You should have the necessary technical skills and understanding of London’s water management. You need to be able to drive change, build consensus whilst at the same time challenge the normal constraints of partnership working to deliver a cohesive surface water strategy and implementation plan to help protect Londoners, visitors and businesses long into the future.

The complexity of raising awareness in London is just one of the challenges you and the LSWSG face. The position requires someone who is passionate about the role, understands how surface water can affect people’s lives and is empathetic. Accordingly, you will be committed to the objective of making London and London’s communities, resilient to the direct and indirect impacts of surface water flooding, now and in the future.

The London Surface Water Strategic Group (LSWSG) was set up following severe flash flooding affecting the city in 2021. The LSWSG is overseeing a programme of improvements to address this. The LSWSG has made considerable progress already to identify all relevant stakeholders and begin raising awareness of the work underway to create a pan London strategy, as well as defining the scope of work. The organisations represented have committed resources (people and money) to begin and continue this work.

Members of the LSWSG:

London Boroughs – maximum total of six representatives drawn from Chair and vice chairs of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee and/or Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) Strategic Partnership Leads

Mayor of London – Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy

Environment Agency – London Area Director

Transport for London – Chief Health, Safety and Environment Officer

Thames Water – Strategic Resource and London Operations Director

London Fire Brigade – Assistant Commissioner

Thames RFCC – Independent Member

Role description

You will lead the LSWSG, whose purpose it is to drive greater collaboration between the partners to manage surface water flooding and lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to address surface water flood risks in London. Your leadership will encourage a collaborative approach with the members of the LSWSG to ensure the LSWSG identifies and delivers effective solutions to mitigate the impacts of surface water flooding in the city. You will, where necessary, broker differences of opinion.

This is a unique opportunity to transform London’s relationship with rain, ultimately resulting in a more resilient, more collaborative city which is ready to face the challenges that climate change brings.

The Strategic Group under your leadership will:

Drive the co-ordination and collaboration of the LSWSG and wider partners to enable a step change in reducing surface water flood risk in London.

Oversee the delivery of a strategy and implementation plan by our agreed contractors to manage surface water flood risk across London in collaboration with all key stakeholders.

Lead the implementation of the strategy and plan including creating opportunities for enhanced collaboration and gaining commitment to deliver actions needed on the ground.

Identify and secure funding to help deliver the plan.

Review and promote cross-partner responsibilities and empowerment necessary for successful delivery of the plan.

Co-ordinate the raising and sustaining of awareness of Londoners to surface water flood risk, describing future solutions and empower people to take action to help manage the risk.

The LSWSG under your leadership may direct the creation of one or more task and finish groups, consultants or other suitable sub-groups, to make more rapid progress on particular issues and report back to the LSWSG.

The Strategic Group under your leadership will:

Drive the co-ordination and collaboration of the LSWSG and wider partners to enable a step change in reducing surface water flood risk in London.

Oversee the delivery of a strategy and implementation plan by our agreed contractors to manage surface water flood risk across London in collaboration with all key stakeholders.

Lead the implementation of the strategy and plan including creating opportunities for enhanced collaboration and gaining commitment to deliver actions needed on the ground.

Identify and secure funding to help deliver the plan.

Review and promote cross-partner responsibilities and empowerment necessary for successful delivery of the plan.

Co-ordinate the raising and sustaining of awareness of Londoners to surface water flood risk, describing future solutions and empower people to take action to help manage the risk.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Provide strategic direction and leadership to the LSWSG in the development and implementation of a comprehensive surface water flooding strategy for London.

2. Maintain and enhance the LSWSGs’ commitment to working together to manage the risk of surface water flooding.

3. Liaise with key senior stakeholders, including local and national government, and other London based organisations to ensure effective collaboration and alignment of goals.

4. With the LSWSG, identify funding and investment opportunities to resource the necessary actions needed for the strategy and plan to be successfully implemented.

5. Working through the LSWSG, and through London Councils for London Boroughs, ensure partners effectively deliver their nominated actions in the implementation plan and strategy.

6. With support of the Greater London Authority and London Councils ensure the LSWSG takes account of London’s diverse communities and representative organisations to allow effective engagement and involvement with the strategy and implementation plan.

7. As a public facing role, you will need to engage with and represent the LSWSG in relevant forums, meetings, and governmental committees while speaking for the LSWSG nationally and internationally.

8. Facilitate the sharing of knowledge, resources, and best practices within the LSWSG and with external partners in the UK and overseas.

9. With the support of the project officer and secretariat, instigate the monitoring of the LSWSG initiatives, reporting back to stakeholders on a regular basis.

10. Ensure that the LSWSG operates with transparency and accountability, adhering to relevant regulations and guidelines.

Person specification

Essential criteria

1. Proven leadership experience, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse group of stakeholders and experts. Ability to collaborate, resolve disputes, encourage consensus, and engage in negotiation.

2. Understanding of London’s water management structures, organisations involved and governance arrangements. Familiarity with London’s (or a similar large city) unique urban and political context and its complexities in organisations structure.

3. Prior experience of working with or for local government organisations responsible for local surface water management.

4. Experience in water management, environmental planning, or a related field, with a strong understanding of surface water flooding issues and mitigation strategies. Demonstrable understanding of inequities around climate impacts and commitment to environmental sustainability, social equity, and climate resilience.

5. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of audiences, including senior-level decision-makers, technical experts, and the public.

6. Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a track record of delivering successful projects in complex environments.

Desirable criteria

1. Knowledge of relevant regulations, policies, and frameworks related to water management and flood risk reduction in the UK.

2. Experience in managing or participating in public consultation processes, stakeholder engagement, or community outreach initiatives

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