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Role details

UK Export Finance Non-Executive Chair

Application deadline 3 July 2023

Summary

• Organisation: UK Export Finance Departmental Board
• Sponsor department: UK Export Finance
• Location: London
• Sectors: Finance and Audit
• Skills: Audit and Risk, Business, Change Management, Commercial, Major Projects, Transformation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 70 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £80000 per annum
• Length of term: 4 years
• Application deadline: 7pm on 3 July 2023

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   23 May 2023

2. Application deadline

   7pm on 3 July 2023

3. Sifting date

   31 July 2023

4. Interviews expected to end on

   18 September 2023

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the role

Role description

Within the remit of this advisory board, the Chair is responsible for the development and leadership of the board and ensuring its effectiveness in all aspects of its role.

Responsibilities include:

• Chairing the board. The Chair is responsible for setting the agenda and managing the business of the board to provide clear direction and focus. The Chair will lead by example, establishing a style and tone of board discussion that will promote open debate, encouraging contributions from all board members and effective decision-making in a supportive culture. 
• Working in partnership with the Chief Executive. Establishing a positive relationship with the Chief Executive, and the other members of the senior management team, providing appropriate challenge and support to drive business performance and get things done. You will be the day-to-day line manager of the Chief Executive (alongside their formal Civil Service Line manager who is the DBT Permanent Secretary).  
• Ministerial objectives and business performance. Leading the board in overseeing delivery of the required business performance to develop and meet agreed ministerial objectives, ensuring that the board contributes fully to developing strategy and that it has sufficient and appropriate information to monitor performance effectively. The Chair will also engage with Ministers where necessary and appropriate. 
• Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The successful candidate will also be appointed as an ex-officio Non-Executive at DBT. Upon appointment they will become a member of the DBT Board. The DBT Board is an advisory body to support and challenge ministers and accounting officers. There are at least four Board meetings per annum. No month will look the same but general activities include:
• acting as a trusted sounding board to the Secretary of State, Permanent Secretary and other senior individuals as appropriate
• supporting, guiding and challenging progress on and implementation of the Department’s Strategy (the outcome delivery plan)
• scrutinising performance (including agreeing key performance indicators), operational issues (including the operational and delivery implications of policy proposals), adherence to relevant standards (e.g. commercial, digital), and the effective management of the department
• involvement in the recruitment, appraisal and suitable succession planning of senior executives, as appropriate within the principles set out by the Civil Service Commission.
• Governance. Central to the Chair’s role is ensuring that the department continues to be well governed, delivers high standards of regularity and propriety and that board committees are properly structured and supported. The Chair is responsible for ensuring that the board follows through on its obligations as per its governance documents.  
• Board performance. Ensuring the board’s performance is regularly evaluated. Conducting annual performance appraisals for individual board members, ensuring the board has the right skills and experience and is fit for the future.
• Stakeholder relations and external engagement. Effective engagement with key stakeholders both internal and external, including Ministers, senior civil servants and UK Government Investments (UKGI). Acting as an ambassador for the Department as required, with banks, re-insurers, Government and Ministers, customers and partners, commercial representative organisations, other ECAs and international stakeholders. Being open and visible to all UKEF colleagues. 
• Culture. Together with the CEO, promoting a culture of excellence, collaboration, and professional integrity across all aspects of the department. Promoting diversity across the organisation. 

Organisation description

UKEF’s mission is to advance prosperity by ensuring no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance, doing that sustainably and at no net cost to the taxpayer.

What we do 

UKEF helps UK companies:

• win export contracts by providing attractive financing terms to their buyers
• fulfil export contracts by supporting working capital loans and contract bonds
• get paid for export contracts by providing insurance against buyer default.

UKEF can support exports for any size of company and across all permissible sectors, from capital goods to services and intangibles such as intellectual property. 

UKEF operates under its own Act of Parliament: the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991 (as amended). In performing its functions, UKEF operates with autonomy within the financial objectives and policies set out in a standing consent from HM Treasury.

Person specification

Essential criteria

We are seeking an outstanding individual with an enthusiasm for supporting UK exports along with the highest levels of integrity, authority and credibility. Candidates will be tested on their ability to operate effectively as the Chair of UKEF Board (noting its remit and the listed role responsibilities) and an ex-officio member of the Department for Business and Trade Board. To aid the panel’s assessment of credibility, they will consider candidates’ ability to demonstrate the following.

Essential Criteria

• Extensive relevant professional experience with strong credibility to lead the Board of this public sector Export Credit Agency gained through senior leadership roles in a significant financial services business with a sound understanding of credit risk, financial services and, ideally, export finance. Experience in international trade and/or emerging markets will provide a further credibility but is not essential.  
• Relevant senior board experience with a track record shaping the strategic vision of an organisation, ensuring high quality corporate governance, and setting a positive organisational culture. Previous Chair experience would be helpful but is not essential.  
• Excellent inter-personal skills with the required emotional intelligence to lead the Board and to provide support and constructively challenge the Executive. Able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, an empathetic approach, and the ability to listen and work as part of a team. 
• The skills, judgment, temperament, integrity, and flexibility to operate successfully in the public sector, including the ability to engage effectively with senior political decision makers and other stakeholders across Whitehall and internationally. Formal public sector experience (e.g., on the board of a Government Department or Arm’s Length Body) is desirable but not essential. 

Desirable criteria

• Demonstrable experience of organisational transformation and leadership.
• Experience of innovation, strategy/product development, and data in financial services.

Application and selection process

How to apply

The recruitment process is being undertaken by Russell Reynolds Associates on behalf of UKEF. Please submit your full application by email to responses@russellreynolds.com. Please quote the role title and assignment code P2303-197L in the subject heading of the email. All applications will be acknowledged.

The closing date for applications is 23:59 on Monday 3 July 2023.

Your submission should include:

• A short covering letter of not more than two A4 sized pages succinctly highlighting your motivation, experience and skills against the requirements of the role.
• Your current CV with educational and professional qualifications and full employment history, explaining any gaps, giving details where applicable.
• Diversity Information Form: This will assist UKEF and UKGI with monitoring selection decisions to assess whether equality of opportunity is being achieved. Any Diversity monitoring information collected will not be seen by anyone assessing your application. Please find the form available here. If you require this form in an alternative format, e.g. hard copy, please request this from Russell Reynolds. 
• Declaration of Interests: Public Appointments require the highest standards of propriety, involving impartiality, integrity and objectivity, in relation to stewardship of public funds and the oversight and management of all related activities. This means that any private, voluntary, charitable or political interest that might be material and relevant to the work of the body concerned should be declared. It is important that those appointed as members of public bodies maintain the confidence of Parliament and the public. If there are any issues in your personal or professional history that could, if you were appointed, be misconstrued, cause embarrassment, or cause public confidence in the appointment to be jeopardised, it is important that you bring them to the attention of the panel and provide details of the issue(s) in your application. In considering whether you wish to declare any issues, you should also reflect on any public statements you have made, including through social media. The panel may explore issues with you before they make a recommendation on the appointment.

If you require an adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please email the team at  responses@russellreynolds.com.

Overview of the application process

Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) has been appointed to support this recruitment.

The Advisory Assessment Panel will be chaired by Candida Morley, UKGI Director (UKEF Non-Executive Director and UKGI Shareholder Representative) and will comprise John Tattersall (Chair, UK Asset Resolutions) and Andrew Mitchell (Director General Exports and UK Trade at Department for Business and Trade).

The final decision on who to appoint will be made by Ministers. Once the competition closes, the panel will assess the applications to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the Essential Criteria in the Person Specification section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application. As part of shortlisting, the Panel will identify a subset of candidates who best match the criteria for an initial interview with Russell Reynolds Associates to further explore their skills and experience with reference to all the criteria in the person specification. The panel will then have a further meeting to review interview reports on these candidates alongside CVs and statements of suitability in order to select the shortlist. At this stage they may choose to take into account the desirable criteria.

Shortlisted candidates will be advised on the outcome as soon as possible thereafter. If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence. This could be in relation to any of the criteria set out in the vacancy description, key responsibilities and accountabilities and person specification. Prior to interview, you may have the opportunity for informal conversations with key personnel in order to improve your understanding of the organisation. Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates. The panel will identify which candidates are appointable before a final decision on who to appoint is made by Ministers. Prior this decision, candidates may be asked to meet with Ministers.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

• Candida Morley, UKGI Director (UKEF Non-Executive Director and UKGI Shareholder Representative)
• John Tattersall (Chair, UK Asset Resolutions)
• Andrew Mitchell (Director General Exports and UK Trade at Department for Business and Trade)

Eligibility criteria

This role is open to UK nationals, nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS), relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service, relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service and certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals.

Security clearance

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed: the appointment will be conditional until they are cleared. The level of security needed is security check. You can view our vetting charter here – See our vetting charter.

To meet the National Security Vetting requirements for this role you will need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of three out of the past five years. If you do not meet this requirement, you would not be eligible for SC clearance and therefore not eligible to apply for this role.

New immigration guidelines - What you need to know - GOV.UK

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

The government is committed to promoting diversity in public appointments. Applications from women, members of ethnic minorities, disabled people and other under-represented groups are particularly welcomed.

UKEF is committed to providing equal opportunities for all, irrespective of race, age, disability, gender, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, transgender and working patterns and to the principle of public appointments on merit with independent assessments, openness and transparency of process.

UKEF remains the most ethnically diverse department in the Civil Service with 31% of staff from ethnic minority backgrounds, and has more female staff than ever before.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. 

As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘minimum criteria,’ we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

Holders of public office are expected to adhere to and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life.These are:

1. SELFLESSNESS - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends;
2. INTEGRITY - Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties;
3. OBJECTIVITY - In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit;
4. ACCOUNTABILITY - Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office;
5. OPENNESS - Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands;
6. HONESTY - Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest;
7. LEADERSHIP - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Public Appointments require the highest standards of propriety, involving impartiality, integrity and objectivity, in relation to stewardship of public funds and the oversight and management of all related activities. This means that any private, voluntary, charitable or political interest that might be material and relevant to the work of the body concerned should be declared. It is important that those appointed as members of public bodies maintain the confidence of Parliament and the public. If there are any issues in your personal or professional history that could, if you were appointed, be misconstrued, cause embarrassment, or cause public confidence in the appointment to be jeopardised, it is important that you bring them to the attention of the panel and provide details of the issue(s) in your application. In considering whether you wish to declare any issues, you should also reflect on any public statements you have made, including through social media. The panel may explore issues with you before they make a recommendation on the appointment.

Please note that due diligence searches will be undertaken on shortlisted candidates and references may be taken up prior to interview or prior to any advice being put to Ministers. As part of our due diligence checks, we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This will include us undertaking searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. This information may be made available to the panel and they may wish to explore issues with you, should you be invited to interview.

For further information on the standards expected in a public role, please review the Seven Principles of Public Life in the sections below.

Due to the nature of UKEFs work, please note that current serving executives and non-executives of major financial institutions that UKEF lends through or underwrites will not be able to be appointed. This is to prevent any conflicts of interest, actual or perceived. 

Application feedback

If your application is unsuccessful, UKGI will keep your personal data on file for 24 months to allow it to provide feedback on request and to defend itself against any legal challenge, as well as to allow it to evidence its fulfilment of its obligations to the relevant instructing Minister/Department. 

How to complain

Please submit complaints by email to responses@russellreynolds.com. Please quote the role title and assignment code P2303-197L in the subject heading of the email.

Data protection

This notice sets out how UKGI will use your personal data for the purpose of this recruitment campaign and explains your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation. UKGI is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses personal data and to meeting its data protection obligations.

Please find the UKGI Privacy notice here.

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

Contact details

Please contact James Walker-Hebborn for any further questions or additional information. 

James.Walker-Hebborn@russellreynolds.com

Attachments

• Candidate pack