Non Executive Directorships

A minimum of three to four days per month on average, with a need to commit time on a very ?exible basis (to attend meetings with HM Government at short notice, for example)

Vacancy Description

The Solent LEP is seeking to recruit a Chair who is an in?uential local leader and who can bring energy and passion to act as a champion for the area’s economic success. The Chair requires suf?cient standing to be able to convene the local business community and public sector stakeholders, while having the insight to oversee the development of an economic strategy and the relationship skills to work effectively with government. This will be particularly important in relation to spearheading future devolution discussions with local partners and Government on behalf of the LEP. We want you to have a voice, make a difference and give something back to the region.

In addition, the Chair will require strong change management experience in order to lead the ongoing evolution of the LEP and the management of any future integration with democratic institutions.

The Chair must come from the private sector2. Given their role involves overseeing public funds and responsibilities, the Chair is expected to display the highest levels of integrity and honesty.

The Solent LEP Chair has a de?ned term limit of three years. Subject to the agreement of the Chair and the Solent LEP Board, the Chair may be extended to a second term of a further three years.

All Solent LEP Board Members require a strong and detailed appreciation of, and interest in, the strategic issues relating to, and drivers of, the Solent economy and the various opportunities and challenges involved in securing sustainable, private sector-led economic growth. The Solent LEP Board has a key role in developing local solutions to enhance the economic prospects within the area and to help plan, support and direct the economic growth of the Solent area.

In terms of time commitments, it is expected that the Solent LEP Chair will offer an equivalent of a minimum of one day per week on average and the Chair should have suf?cient time to meet their Board responsibilities.

The time commitment to engage with Company Members and other key stakeholders and get to know the business will be considerable.

The Chair will also receive high-quality information suf?ciently in advance of meetings so that there can be thorough consideration of the issues prior to, and informed debate and challenge at board meetings.

Executive contact names and numbers will be published on all papers so the Chair can seek clari?cation or ampli?cation from management where they consider the information provided is not suf?cient. They should provide constructive challenge, strategic guidance, specialist advice and hold management to account.

The Chair can access impartial advice and support through the LEP Executive team, which the Solent LEP has established as an independent secretariat. The Solent LEP Chief Executive reports to the LEP Chair and, in addition to this executive support, the Solent LEP has also appointed a Deputy Chair in order to provide non-executive support to the Chair.

On appointment to the Board, the LEP Chair will be provided with a comprehensive, formal and tailored induction that will extend beyond the boardroom and they will be expected to undertake some external formal training to ensure they are fully briefed on the role of the Chair and the best practice requirements under the FRS UK Corporate Governance Code.

In their ?rst year and on an ongoing basis, they should expect to visit operations and talk with managers and non-managerial members of the workforce. The LEP Chair should use these conversations to better understand the culture of the organisation and the way things are done in practice, and to gain insight into the experience of the executive of the LEP.

Directors’ duties are set out in sections 171-177 of the Companies Act 2006 and the Articles of Association of Solent Local Enterprise Partnership Limited (available here)

Person Specification

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate that they:

• Are an owner or part owner (whether by way of shareholding, partnership or direct proprietorship), or board level or similar of?cer, of a B Member in Solent Local Enterprise Partnership Limited or a ‘Recommended Person’;
• Have a minimum of three years’ experience as a non-executive director on the board of a successful company;
• Maintain strong links with the Solent business community and the ability to build coalitions to leverage private sector involvement;
• Have substantial experience and understanding of structuring effective working relationships with the private sector in local, regional, national and international forums;
• Have knowledge, understanding and a demonstrable commitment and passion to leading and delivering economic change in the Solent area;
• Are experts in co-operation, collaboration, co-ordination, convening and communication to make things happen;
• Have previous experience operating as a chair at senior board or committee level in a complex, challenging and high-pro?le environment;
• Have ?rst-hand knowledge and current experience of the local Solent business environment, through a strong and proven track record of business leadership at a senior level;
• Have the ability to make informed, balanced and independent judgements on key economic issues for the Solent;
• Have the ability to consider the long-term implications and broad view of issues, identifying opportunities and key risks;
• Have demonstrable experience leading change management;
• Have the ability to act as an ambassador for the Solent economic area, with extensive experience of working within the private sector and engaging the con?dence of local and central government (including Ministers of State), other public agencies as appropriate and key businesses and business organisations;
• Have substantial experience and understanding of structuring effective working relationships with the private sector in local, regional, national and international forums;
• Have an understanding of what ‘good governance’ looks like in a regulated public sector environment gained through working with HM Government or the wider public sector;
• Are not disquali?ed under the Articles of Association of the Solent LEP.