British Mountaineering Council. Chair of Board Candidate Brief August 2018

Transcription

1 Chair of Board Candidate Brief August 2018

2 Foreword The BMC is a membership organisation with a 75 year heritage looking to grow and secure a future for the increasingly diverse and exciting activities of climbing, hillwalking and mountaineering. As the representative body for climbers, hillwalkers and mountaineers as well as the nationally recognised governing body for competition climbing, the BMC has grown to a membership of nearly 85,000 members. Its work on access, conservation, grassroots participation, safety and guidebooks is internationally renowned in the global climbing community. Comprising a staff of 30, over 500 dedicated volunteers and many hundreds more in its affiliated clubs, the BMC is an organisation that is thriving and growing alongside the activities it represents. Since the early days of the BMC, climbing, hillwalking and mountaineering activities have diversified and developed from a minority interest into a nationally recognised set of activities which collectively now represent the fourth largest participation sport in the UK. Indoor climbing walls have encouraged significant growth amongst younger participants and a healthy gender balance, and the inclusion of competition climbing in the 2020 Olympics is a significant boost to the sector. With this growth has come some turbulent times related to the need to modernise the constitution and operation of the organisation; the BMC has faced growing pains and some challenging policy decisions in recent years, pressures to ensure compliance with national governance standards (Sport England) and clarify our internal decision making structures being cases in point. In 2017 this led to led to a detailed independent review of the organisation which reported in March 2018 and set out 51 detailed recommendations to improve the BMC s transparency, structure and functioning. At the 2018 AGM the membership overwhelmingly voted to adopt this direction of travel and the BMC is now in a period of establishing a methodology to roll out these changes across its organisation. This appointment is a direct consequence of this review namely the splitting of the role of BMC President and Chair of the Board. This prestigious new position will focus on optimising and delivering the strategy for the organisation, working in concert with the President and CEO to ensure the BMC remains member focused and continues to represent the best interests of all who participate in our sports across the nation. We are seeking a Chair who can dedicate time and energy to strengthen and grow the BMC, working with both staff and volunteers to ensure a bright future for one of the nation's favourite sporting activities. Candidates are encouraged both from within the BMC s membership and from others with a genuine interest and involvement in the activities we represent. Simon McCalla Interim Chair / Senior Independent Director Dave Turnbull Chief Executive Page 2 of 5

3 The Role Overview & purpose Chair and effectively run the Board and its affairs including the development and implementation of an organisational strategy, the implementation of measures to modernise the BMC, and improved communications and transparency across the organisation. Provide leadership and build consensus in a time of development and change across the BMC and the outdoor sector as a whole. Establish new operational structures and procedures in partnership with the President, CEO, senior staff and the BMC s wider democratic structure. Promote the BMC and the activities we represent at a national level. Responsibilities Leadership: Lead and chair a strong, cohesive and effective Board upholding excellent standards of corporate governance across the organisation; chair the Nominations Committee and ensure the effective operation of other sub-committees of the Board (Finance & Audit) and the implementation of decisions. Consensus building: Build consensus with the President, National Council, key stakeholders and across the wider membership to ensure the smooth running of the BMC; work with National Council to develop strategic aims, providing vision and leadership within a framework of policy, financial and risk controls. Strategy & planning: Lead reviews of strategic items and achieve outcomes that enable the CEO to formulate and implement detailed plans to deliver agreed objectives; support the implementation of organisational change in line with the outcome of the 2018 AGM. Board effectiveness: Stimulate an effective, dynamic and inclusive Board which is representative of the interests of members; facilitate the effective contribution of all directors, ensuring directors are well informed and receive timely and clear information to enable considered decision making. Board development: Support the development needs of individual directors and the Board as a whole; establish a close working relationship with the CEO, providing support, advice, line management and annual performance appraisal, while respecting executive responsibilities. Organisational performance: Monitor and evaluate the BMC s overall performance against agreed measures and undertake regular evaluations of Board performance; act on the results of performance evaluations to promote improvements across the organisation. Public reputation: Develop the BMC s public standing and national reputation; liaise with BMC subsidiaries, partner organisations and funding agencies to support the development of the sector as a whole. Standards: Uphold the highest standards of behaviour, integrity and probity across the organisation working closely with the CEO to identify both new opportunities and potential conflict issues ensuring problems are planned for appropriately and risks are managed accordingly. Page 3 of 5

4 The Candidate The ideal candidate would match the criteria below. Qualifications & experience Demonstrable ability and experience of chairing a high performing Board of an organisation of a similar size and complexity to the BMC. Direct knowledge and experience of the operation of membership organisations. History of consensus building with stakeholders both within and outwith your organisation. Track record of leading the successful formulation and delivery of organisational objectives, strategies and policies. Sound understanding of the management of financial and human resources, together with experience of delivering improved performance. Evidence of having made an outstanding contribution within your industry or profession. Track record of making well-balanced, sound judgements when under public scrutiny and/or lobbying. Background in both commercial and not-for-profit environments; ideally with working experience of membership organisations and sports governance. Successful leader with effective and confident communication skills; listening, written and verbal. Active interest in climbing, hill walking and/or mountaineering and an understanding of the issues facing the BMC. Ability, skills & knowledge Resilience and integrity to reach well balanced judgements in an impartial, objective and transparent manner. Ability to consider the wider issues rather than be involved in the detail. Demonstrate a sense of depth and rigour in decision making. Understanding of the cultural differences of private and public sector stakeholders and ability to build consensual responses to issues. Understanding of the culture of mountain sports as a participant. Personal style & behaviour Personable, inclusive and a natural bridge builder. Clear thinking and with a practical style. First class communication skills and a clear speaking style. Ability to listen to and empathise with stakeholders at all levels. Ability to strengthen relationships with and between members and stakeholders. Personal credibility amongst members and stakeholders. Page 4 of 5

5 The Rewards The role will be demanding and is entirely voluntary. The rewards for the candidate will be the chance to work at the highest level of sport in the UK, working with a talented and motivated team of staff and volunteers. All reasonable travel and expenditure will be reimbursed in accordance with the BMC s policies. Indicative Timetable Our draft timetable is as follows although this is subject to amendment as circumstances require. Search underway August 2018 Closing date 6 September 2018 Shortlist meeting 11 September 2018 Panel interviews 21 September 2018 Appointment Beginning October 2018 Page 5 of 5