Membership Director The Veterinary Defence Society Limited October 2017

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1 Membership Director The Veterinary Defence Society Limited October 2017 Background Originally established in 1865 as the National Veterinary Benevolent and Mutual Defence Society, the Veterinary Defence Society Limited ( the Society ) has evolved as the preeminent provider of Professional Indemnity insurance to the veterinary profession in the UK and Ireland. It moved to its premises in Knutsford, Cheshire in The Society has a strong tradition as a 'mutual' organisation and is owned entirely by the members it serves. Today it supports around 92% of veterinary surgeons in the UK plus a smaller percentage in the Republic of Ireland and is the only company which specialises in this type of insurance. The Society provides a PI policy covering most types of veterinary work, offering a choice of cover levels along with protection for third party losses or injuries arising as a result of professional negligence. In addition, since 1996 the organisation has provided legal representation for members involved in disciplinary or criminal charges arising from their practice work. The Board of Directors has long been committed to providing the highest level of protection for members and has taken a conscious decision to concentrate only on this form of insurance. Whilst having no official links with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons or the Veterinary Council of Ireland (the profession's regulatory body) it feels that part of its remit is to uphold the good name of the veterinary profession. Consequently it commits a significant amount of effort and resource into claims prevention through the provision of a telephone advice service, a newsletter and various Training Programmes for members. The Society therefore contributes to the profession by the added value provided to its members. Business Strategy The Society is embarking on a significant period of change and development as it implements its strategic plan to consolidate its current strong position within the profession and develop other products, services and membership benefits. A key objective of the Society is to deliver the strategy through a series of cross functional change and development projects requiring an experienced Director who will be a key member of the Executive Committee and Board.

2 Organisation Structure The Chief Executive, the Commercial Director, the Finance Director and approximately 35 staff are based in Knutsford. Other Executive Directors, Claims Consultants, Claims Advisers and senior employees, work from home and are spread throughout the UK and Northern Ireland. Managing the office staff, cooperating with and helping to co-ordinate the rest of the team, the Chief Executive ensures that the resources are available to enable the team to provide the highest quality of services to members. Operation of the Company As an insurance company, the Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority ( PRA ) and is regulated by the PRA and the Financial Conduct Authority ( FCA ). It is committed to good practice in corporate governance. The Board of Directors meets every two months and the Annual General Meeting is normally held in July. Whilst the Board sets the Society s strategy, day-to-day operational matters are devolved to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee comprises the Chief Executive, Technical Director, Commercial Director, Finance Director, Membership Director, Head of Claims,General Counsel/Company Secretary and Chief Information Officer. In addition to the Executive Committee there are four other Board committees; Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, Remuneration Committee, Nominations Committee and Investment Committee. Each comprises a majority of Non-Executive Directors. They meet at set intervals throughout the year and report on their work to the Board. The Claims Group, all of whom are veterinary surgeons, handles all aspects of claims, meeting once a month throughout the year and referring only decisions on policy or high level claims to the Executive Committee. The Claims Group is chaired by the Head of Claims. The Underwriting Group, the majority of whom are veterinary surgeons, assists the Executive Committee in implementing the Society s underwriting strategy. The Underwriting Group is chaired by the Technical Director, who is also a member of the Executive Committee and the Board. The Group meets each month and reports on its activities to the Executive Committee. An independent Advisory Committee that consults with external veterinary surgeons and supports the Society s ongoing relationship with its members. It acts as a liaison with the wider membership and keeps the Society informed of changes in the profession. The 2

3 Membership Director chairs this Committee. Committee and Board. He is also a member of the Executive The Role The Membership Director ( MD ) will be an experienced Veterinary Surgeon well-known to and respected in the veterinary profession in the UK and/or Ireland. The MD co-ordinates the activities of VDS that involve communication and training by various means with the Society s membership and the wider profession. The role encompasses the implementation at member level of the wishes of the Board. The MD acts as the face of VDS to the profession, liaising closely with the full range of veterinary organisations with which the Society interacts. As a member of the Executive Committee, the MD plays a proactive role with regard to the Society s business strategy and takes the lead in engaging with the profession, ensuring the Executive Committee is apprised of trends, issues, threats and opportunities. The MD takes ownership of the relationship between the Society and the wider profession, including but not exclusively limited to the membership. The MD reports directly to the Chief Executive. The MD will be elected to the Board at the AGM and is subject, by rotation, to re-election to the Board of Directors every three years. Scope of Job The MD is an Executive member of the Board and is responsible with the other Executive Directors for ensuring that the Company meets all legal, fiscal and statutory requirements. As a director of a regulated firm, the MD will be authorised by the FCA to undertake a Significant Influence Function and, as a Director will be required to be an Approved Person, Control Function 1. The resources available to support the MD include: other members of Executive, the Senior Management Team and all members of staff, including specifically Relationship Management and the Training Team. On behalf of the Board and with the other Executive Directors the MD oversees and effects the management and relationship with all large veterinary employer groups to include financial and insurance matters and other representation of the Society as may be required. Liaison with other VDS committees and office staff Liaison with other veterinary organisations and outside bodies Maintenance of the integrity & reputation of VDS Identification, discussion and progression at Executive level of any areas of concern, 3

4 undertaking projects on behalf of Executive and Board Responsibility for all member facing activities excluding policy and underwriting issues but on which a detailed understanding is required Embedding a close working relationship with veterinary organisations in Ireland, both north and south Inputting into document design for the veterinary profession s attention Representing the profession to Executive. Duties and Key Responsibilities Qualifications and Skills Level A veterinary qualification is essential in order to empathise with, and consequently be accepted by, the full breadth of the membership with their various PI issues. Delivering projects on time and the proactive identification of potential problems requires focused management skills as well as team leadership qualities, in order to ensure that the hard working teams who deliver services for the Society derive their own job satisfaction and feel appreciated by their employers. Evidence of successful working within a team and problem solving ability. Leadership ability together with ability to delegate Integrity and ability to engender trust Empathy and ability to see others viewpoints Open minded Strong organizational abilities and a reliability when deadlines are to be met The ability to be tough when required Initiative and a resolve to fully explore options Strong interpersonal and communication skills Comprehensive experience of the sector in which VDS operates Proven problem solving ability Ability to articulate with confidence at all levels both inside and outside the business Experience as a member of, or reporting to, a Board (or equivalent leadership team) with an understanding of corporate governance Effective public speaker. Characteristics A self-starter who can operate effectively and with the ability to drive and bring about change A natural and authoritative leader with the ability to command respect from day one Able to build effective relationships across the business 4

5 Strong commercial awareness Has the judgement, integrity and discretion to offer balanced advice in the best interests of the Society, prioritising key issues and identifying areas of potential sensitivity Driving high standards, of sufficient stature to be well regarded across the business Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to articulate financial and actuarial issues in a practical manner Excellent communication skills both written and verbal Management Embed core values, delivering consistent messages Lead, coach and manage the Relationship and Training teams through effective performance management Keep the teams briefed and involved on developing business strategy and initiatives Location The role requires that the holder spends a significant amount of working time at VDS Headquarters in Knutsford with travel across the UK and Ireland as required. Remuneration A competitive salary is on offer in addition to a package which consists of: Pension scheme, 10% of salary employer contribution Family healthcare Life insurance 30 days annual holiday (plus Bank Holidays) For further information please contact the Chief Executive, Norman Macfarlane by post or either of the two veterinary Executive Directors (David Green or Julian Wells) on Interviews There will be a two stage interview process for candidates that are shortlisted. The first stage interviews will be conducted in Knutsford are planned for the following dates. November/December