Appointment details

Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd (SFIL)- Non-Executive Director

Summary

• Organisation: Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd
• Sponsor department: Ministry of Defence
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Defence
• Skills: Business, Change Management, Commercial, Technology / Digital, Major Projects, Transformation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 3 day(s) per month
• Remuneration: £29,999 per annum
• Length of term: 3 years
• Application deadline: 11:59pm on 5 December 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   11 November 2025

2. Application deadline

   11:59pm on 5 December 2025

3. Sifting date

   16 December 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   2 February 2026

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

This appointment to the board is being made at a time of profound operational and cultural change for SFIL. The requirement to deliver operationally to the highest global standards for a demanding customer base, whilst simultaneously transforming the surroundings, the infrastructure and the culture of the business is an enormous challenge for the leadership of the company.

Appointment description

To add further value to a strong board, the new Non-Executive Director will bring a deep knowledge and skillset to the table. With a clear understanding of global standards in large transformation programmes and cultural change and with a proven track record of transformative leadership in a relevant sector setting, the new NED will have an important role to play in advising, challenging and supporting executive management on the transformation agenda ahead of them.

The NED will provide independent oversight, strategic guidance, and constructive challenge to the executive leadership team as the organisation undergoes major transformation. The NED will bring deep experience in organisational culture change and operational transformation and support the Board in ensuring the business adapts effectively to future challenges and opportunities.

Responsibilities include:

• Contribute to board discussions and decisions with specific focus on transformation, innovation, and future readiness. 
• Provide independent oversight and challenge to ensure transformation programmes deliver long-term value and align with strategic objectives.
• Assess and advise on the organisation’s transformation roadmap (including operational, digital, and cultural change).
• Monitor risks and opportunities associated with transformation, including impact on people, systems, customers, and stakeholders.
• Support the Executive in building internal capability to manage and embed change effectively.
• Provide leadership on the values and culture the company seeks to promote, including its engagement with customers, employees, contractors, and the shareholder.
• Bring market insight and emerging trends to board deliberations, especially those relating to disruption, innovation, and performance improvement.
•  Offer constructive challenge to the executive directors regarding their analyses and recommendations. This includes having the strength to bring a new perspective to discussions.
•  Uphold the highest standards of corporate governance, ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance across transformation activity.
•   Actively contribute to all board discussions and fulfil full governance responsibilities as a company director.

Person specification

Essential criteria

·       Leadership experience at the ‘enterprise level,’ experience in a senior position. A proven track record of leading or overseeing large-scale organisational transformation (which includes operational, digital, and cultural change) at Board or executive level.

·       Experience with workforce transformation and culture change.

·       Expertise and experience of transformation; ideally with experience of operating in competitive manufacturing sectors that have managed large transformation programmes e.g. sectors such as manufacturing, defence, government.

·       Strong commercial and strategic acumen with the ability to analyse complex issues and think critically.

·       Understanding of the governance responsibilities of a NED, including fiduciary duties and risk management.

·       Knowledge of innovation and digital trends that drive organisational evolution.

Desirable criteria

·       Able to demonstrate independence of mind, openness, transparency, and good judgement.

·       A team-player, with first-rate interpersonal skills. A strong profile and reputation, upholding the highest standards of integrity.

·       Exceptional communication and influencing skills and able to engage with stakeholders at all levels. Able to provide independent, respected challenge that improves decision-making.

·       Demonstrable professionalism and ethical conduct.

Candidates should reflect the company’s values of Safety & Wellbeing, Working Together, Trust & Respect and Quality & Innovation.

Application and selection process

How to apply

Key Dates 

The closing date for applications is Friday 5th December at 11.59pm.   

Following a review meeting with a sub-set of the Board’s Nomination Committee, which will take place in mid-December, selected candidates will be invited to attend a preliminary interview with Odgers in January 2026.  

First-round client interviews will take place in February 2026. 

Please note that these dates may be subject to change. 

Application Process 

To apply for this post, you will need to have submitted your CV outlining your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements no later than 11.59pm on Friday 5th December. 

The preferred method of application is online at:   

www.odgers.com/94950 

All applications will receive an automated response.   

If you are unable to apply online, please email: delta.london@odgers.com. 

All candidates are also required to complete an online Diversity Monitoring Form which will be found at the end of the application process. Any information collated from the Diversity Monitoring Forms will not be used as part of the selection process and will be treated as strictly confidential. 

For a conversation in confidence, please contact: 

Rachel Slattery 

         Partner, Board Practice 

         rachel.slattery@odgers.com

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Admiral (Rtd) Sir Tim Fraser, SFIL Chair

Julie Colgan, Non-Executive Director (Shareholder Representative)

Patrick Butcher, Non-Executive Director

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact rachel.slattery@odgers.com

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

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 ‘essential 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

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

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

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced.

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or ten years in any one post. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

If you would like to make a complaint regarding your application, contact Rachel Slattery- rachel.slattery@odgers.com. 

Data protection

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

The Ministry of Defence privacy notice can be found here with supplementary information here.

Odgers Privacy Policy can be found here

Privacy policies for UK Government Investments is attached at the bottom of this advert.

Contact details

For additional information, please contact: 

Rachel Slattery

Partner, Board Practice  rachel.slattery@odgers.com

Attachments

• Candidate brief for Sheffield Forgemasters

• UKGI Privacy Notice