Non-Executive Director

Job Description

Role: Non Executive Director

Location: London/ UK commitments

Renumeration: Info available in the candidate pack

Time Commitment: 2 days per month

Term Length: Each non-executive appointment is made for a term of three years. Note that in most circumstances, Non-Executive Directors can serve up to a maximum of two terms.

Closing Date: 09/09

About Connected Places Catapult:

The Catapult Network was established by Innovate UK to accelerate pioneering work and research in innovation to drive economic growth.

The success of the Catapults has been in their ability to bring different sectors together around a shared ambition, and to operate at the nexus of sectors: industry, research, academia and government.

Cities, towns and regions thrive on their ability to connect people – to resources, opportunities, and ideas and to each other – and thereby create economic, social and cultural value. Throughout history, the diffusion of innovative technologies has enabled ever-increasing levels of connectivity – physically through bridges, aqueducts, railways and skyscrapers, virtually through internet connected sensors and contactless payments, and socially through urban design and civic infrastructure - delivering in turn ever greater scale and productivity.

Today’s emerging technologies enable even greater levels of connectivity and pioneering place leaders are exploring how to harness these innovations to boost local productivity and wellbeing, attract talent and improve access to economic opportunities. Consequently, the global market for connected places innovations – including smarter use of land, energy efficient buildings, and innovations in mobility – amounts to $3.7 trillion.

However, despite the huge potential to deliver these high value impacts, developing, testing and scaling such innovations is challenging. This is due to:

• Conservative and uncoordinated demand;

• The complexities of the connected places market, its rules and players, which frustrate suppliers’ efforts to navigate it;

• Market niches which are captured by established providers and approaches.

Connected Places Catapult exists to dismantle these market barriers and speed the commercial application of innovative research and technologies by UK companies in the built environment, transport, infrastructure and place making industries. We are the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and places.

Role Remit:

As part of the Board, Non-Executive Directors provide strategic leadership to Connected Places Catapult and support
to the leadership team whilst scrutinising the organisation’s performance and progress against its strategy and targets. Members of the Board are also expected to contribute to the Projects & Sustainability Committee and at least one additional sub- committee (Audit & Risk or Remuneration & Nominations) aligned to their experience and expertise.

We are open to considering candidates from a range of sectors, though small and medium business experience;
digital, data, AI and information technology expertise; and a track record in innovation or entrepreneurialism are of particular interest.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute as an active and supportive member of the Board, directing Connected Places Catapult’s strategic development through decisive leadership, clear plans and targets;
• Work with Board Members to provide governance and strategic oversight;
• Provide an external, independent perspective providing advice to the Board and Executive accordingly;
• Scrutinise and monitor the performance of Connected Places Catapult, ensuring that it delivers in line with its core objectives, strategy and values;
• Challenge and support the CEO
  and Executive team in their decision making;
• Maintain an awareness of local and national policy and how it impacts on Connected Places Catapult’s work;
• Act as an ambassador for Connected Places Catapult, championing
  its interests locally, nationally
  and internationally, representing
  the organisation effectively to external stakeholders assisting in developing effective relationships as appropriate; and
• Maintain absolute integrity, independence and professionalism in view of the exposure to delicate and confidential issues at Board level.

Requirements

• Commercially astute, with a successful track record of achievement, ideally within city and transport, built environment and/ or place leadership.

• Experienced in robust and effective governance mechanisms either at Non- Executive or Executive level;

• Strong communication and influencing skills, the ability to listen effectively
and challenge constructively, supporting collective decisions and balancing challenge with assurance and support;

• Clear commitment to the Catapult's values with a track record of objectivity, integrity, impartiality and honesty, with a strong commitment to public service values such as diversity, equity and inclusion;

• Demonstrate a passion and commitment to Connected Places Catapult, its strategic objectives, mission and values;

• Experience of working with the organisations/ sectors targeted in Connected Places Catapult engagement plans, such as a start-up/SME/SME investor or academia;

• Evidence of significant personal achievements in driving and delivering change and improvements in a fast- moving, innovative environment, ideally involving technology application;

• An appreciation of Connected
  Places Catapult’s remit and ability
  to demonstrate an understanding
  of, and commitment to, the growth
  of the innovation and transport sectors in the UK;
• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours; and

• Highly credible, with robust interpersonal skills and the ability to build openness and trust, you will foster and build productive and collaborative relationships.

Benefits

Candidate pack to be sent to those that apply and move to screening stage.