Appointment details

Dover Harbour Board - Non-Executive Director

Summary

• Organisation: Dover Harbour Board, Chair only
• Sponsor department: Department for Transport
• Location: South East
• Sectors: Transport
• Skills: Commercial, Communication, Major Projects, Transformation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 24 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £31,549 per annum
• Length of term: 3
• Application deadline: 7pm on 17 August 2026

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   24 July 2026

2. Application deadline

   7pm on 17 August 2026

3. Sifting date

   14 September 2026

4. Interviews expected to end on

   2 November 2026

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

About the Port of Dover

The Port of Dover is the UK’s primary gateway to Europe, its largest trading partner. More lorries enter and leave the country through Dover than through all other UK ports combined. Operating on a 24/7 basis, every day of the year except Christmas Day, it is known as Britain’s busiest port.

Arguably, it is also the country’s most iconic port, where millions of visitors set foot in the UK for the first time and where even larger numbers of Britons know they are home safe from their overseas travels as they disembark beneath its white cliffs. As well as the ferry terminal for which it is best known, the port also has two cruise terminals, a yacht marina, and a cargo terminal which handles a range of commodities from fresh fruit to steel.

Alongside its national importance, the port also operates as a highly successful commercial enterprise locally, supporting around 22,000 local jobs. It has, through development of its operations and continual investment, been able to future proof its existing facilities and plan for future demand.

The Port of Dover is a Trust Port, controlled by the Dover Harbour Board (DHB). Trust Ports are autonomous bodies created by Acts of Parliament and are controlled by an independent board. Originally established by Royal Charter in 1606, DHB is now a statutory corporation with a legal duty to administer, maintain and improve the harbour. It is accountable to its stakeholders – users of the port, its employees, the local community and all those individuals, organisations and groups having an interest in the operation of the port – for the performance of that duty.

Notwithstanding its unusual constitution, DHB operates the port as a commercial business. In 2025 it generated annual revenue of some £103m and an operating profit of £18m.

The DHB board comprises a non-executive Chairman, six non-executive Directors, the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer. The Chairman and two of the NEDs are Department for Transport (DfT) Ministerial appointees; four NEDs are Board appointees, of whom two (known as “community directors”) must have special knowledge of the position of the Port in the local economy and community.

The six-part Channel 4 TV programme, ‘Dover 24/7: Britain’s Busiest Port’ which aired last year, allowed people the opportunity to see exactly what goes on in Dover, to keep trade and travellers flowing. Building on this success, a second series will be broadcast this summer.

Introduction from the Minister

Welcome Note from Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport

Dear Applicant, 

Thank you for your interest in the Non-Executive Director role on the Board of Dover Harbour Board. 

This is an important time for the Department for Transport. We are investing heavily in infrastructure and public transport to improve journeys, boost connections, level up the country and support economic growth. Central to our mission is delivering transport that works for everyone in our society.

The Port of Dover, Europe’s busiest port, offers a significant opportunity within a nationally important organisation with a history dating back to 1606. As the UK’s primary gateway to Europe, it facilitates over £150 billion in trade annually and continues to play a critical role in the national economy.

Dover Harbour Board is seeking a Non-Executive Director to help sustain and strengthen the Port’s leading position. The role requires strong strategic and analytical capability, with responsibility for influencing decisions across investment, asset management, digital transformation, funding, and customer delivery within a complex stakeholder environment.

The successful candidate will join a forward-looking Board driving major transformation, including investment in technology and infrastructure over the next five years. With strong progress already achieved in 2025/26, this is a key moment to contribute to the Port’s long-term success and stewardship as a vital national asset.

We strongly welcome applications from all backgrounds. As part of the Department’s commitment to diversity, we believe our public appointments should reflect our customers - the travelling public – who come from all walks of life and have different experiences. We very much welcome fresh talent, expertise, and perspectives, to help us better understand the needs of the communities we serve and support better decision making for all. This includes people who may have never applied for a public appointment – but could bring new ideas, insights and energy.

If you are interested in the role and work of Dover Harbour Board, I would like to encourage you to apply. 

Our dedicated DfT Public Appointments Team would be happy to talk through the process and answer your questions. 

Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP

Secretary of State for Transport

_____________________________________________________________

Introduction from the Chair

Note from Jason Holt, Chair, Dover Harbour Board

Welcome to the Port of Dover, Europe’s busiest port, for what we hope will be an exciting opportunity for you. The Port of Dover is a national icon that has been at the forefront of the maritime sector since 1606 and remains the country’s foremost gateway to Europe. We are a vitally important national strategic asset responsible for over £150 billion of trade with Europe. Not surprisingly, as a Board we have exciting plans to share with you.

To maintain our leadership position the Dover Harbour Board is looking for a new Non-Executive Director who is excited by the responsibility of ensuring that the Port of Dover is Britain’s Number One gateway port. 

This leadership position requires clear strategic and analytical thinking twinned with an ability to shape decisions across a competitive business spectrum that includes investment and asset management, digitalisation and funding as well as ensuring excellent customer delivery wrapped up amongst a multitude of stakeholders. 

Bringing your experience to the board table you will join a team that is shaping and embracing the Board’s transformative thinking as we adopt technologies and build infrastructure to revolutionise the Port over the next 5 years. By doing so you will join a board that stewards this national business asset that remains vital to the UK’s economy in this fast, ever-changing world of ours. 

The board has already journeyed across plenty of ground in 2025/26 with excellent results as well as setting the agenda and landscape for the rest of this year and beyond. If you join us now, you will play a key role in securing the Port of Dover’s legacy so safeguarding its enduring success for generations to come. 

I do hope you will consider being part of this winning Dover team.

Jason Holt

Chair, Dover Harbour Board 

_____________________________________________________________

Appointment description

Non-Executive Director

The DHB board currently consists of a strong and experienced group of non-executive members, and the Port is looking to recruit a Non-Executive Director, for appointment by the Department for Transport, to take office from 1 January 2027, replacing the incumbent who has come to the end of their appointment term.

The role of a Non-Executive Director at DHB is to:

• Understand DHB’s statutory duties, and its corporate mission and purpose
• Read and understand financial statements and board materials in advance of meetings
• Prepare for, attend and participate in Board meetings
• Exercise independent judgement and reasonable care, skill and diligence in performing the Board’s statutory functions
• Prepare for, attend and participate in meetings of any committee of the Board to which the Director may be appointed (likely to be the Audit Committee)
• Attend and be visible at the Annual Consultative Meeting (the equivalent of an AGM) and other large and high-profile public events mounted by the Port.

The Board is committed to incorporating the standards and objectives of the Ports Good Governance Guide, which requires the annual performance of Board members to be assessed.

The Port of Dover has adopted a formal Leadership Capability Framework, to ensure that all its leaders live its values:

• To work together – by engaging and inspiring, developing people, and encouraging collaboration;
• To look after everyone and everything – by leading visibly, operating inclusively, and enabling safety and sustainability;
• To empower each other – by cultivating accountability and trust, prioritising autonomy, and recognising success;
• To exchange ideas and innovate – by having a growth mindset, providing clarity and direction, and championing change.

Board composition

For more information including annual statements and current board membership, please visit: www.portofdover.com/corporate/

Person specification

Essential criteria

• An ability to formulate and discuss strategic subjects in a board room environment in a coherent and structured way
• The ability to contribute effectively and constructively challenge in group discussions involving a wide range of subject matter and people, including technical specialists and professionals
• Excellent internal and external communication skills, able to engender the confidence of their peers
• Sufficient scope and availability to attend such Board meetings, Committee meetings and additional forum meetings as required
• Commitment to working as part of a team which is engaged and ambitious for the Port
• Commitment to the seven principles of public service as set out by Lord Nolan and contained in paragraph 3.17 of the Ports Good Governance Guide published by the Department for Transport.

Desirable criteria

Whilst not essential, senior executive level experience in business in one or more of the following sectors would be desirable:

• the ports industry
• logistics
• shipping or other forms of transport
• navigation or marine operations
• strategic planning
• industrial, commercial or financial management
• safety and personnel management
• environmental matters affecting harbours
• knowledge or experience of accounting and finance

Application and selection process

How to apply

How to Apply

To apply for this role, you must complete both of the following steps by 11:00 on Friday 14 August 2026.

Step 1 – Submit your application: Complete and submit your application through Odgers using the following link: www.odgers.com/95997.

Step 2 – Complete the Public Appointments registration: You must also register on the Cabinet Office Public Appointments website to provide diversity monitoring information and declare any potential conflicts of interest or reputational matters: Public Appointments website.

Applications will only be considered once both steps have been completed by the closing date. Applications submitted after the closing date, or applications that do not include the required information, will not be considered.

• As part of your application, you must provide a CV or equivalent biographical information of no more than two A4 pages, using a minimum 12-point font. This should set out your career history and include details of any relevant professional qualifications.
• You must also provide a summary explaining why you are interested in the role and how you meet the specification and essential criteria. You may submit this in the format that best demonstrates your suitability, such as a supporting letter of no more than two A4 pages, a short slide presentation of no more than five slides, or a short video presentation of no more than two minutes. Your submission should refer to the contents of this candidate pack and include specific examples. If you wish to provide your supporting summary in video format, please contact DfTpublicappointments@dft.gov.uk before the closing date.

If you have any questions about the role or the application process, please contact Callie Foster at Odgers via callie.foster@odgers.com.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Jason Holt – Public Body Representative

Panel Chair

Jason Holt has no political activity to declare.

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

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)

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. Public Offices and bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s commitment to breaking down barriers to opportunity.

We collect and monitor diversity data about applicants’ characteristics, including people’s educational and professional backgrounds, to understand the diversity of applicants and appointees. As set out in section 3 of our privacy notice, we do this to ensure we are attracting a broad range of people and our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it is difficult to see whether the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups or our changes are making a positive difference.

When you apply, you can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. Once you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. We use this anonymised data to create reports on the timing and outcomes of our recruitment campaigns, as well as the diversity of our appointees. This transparency helps us create a fairer environment for everyone by highlighting where we need to do better.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol to show our commitment to good practice in appointing disabled people. The scheme helps our organisation recruit and retain the expertise of these applicants, supporting their journey into leadership roles in public life. 

As part of the scheme, the panel will aim to offer an interview to those who meet the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advertisement, and who have asked that their application be considered under the scheme. If a high volume of applications is received, the panel will ensure that a proportionate number of interviews are offered to disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria, rather than all of those candidates.

Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will not prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria' we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates how you meet the level of competence required under each criteria. This does not mean that all disabled applicants are entitled to an interview. If you have any questions or want to discuss your application in confidence, please contact the team as early as possible using the email listed under 'Contact details' at the end of the advertisement.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to ensure applicants with disabilities and/or, long term conditions, covered under both the Equality Act 2010 (England, Scotland & Wales) and Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Northern Ireland) are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. We aim to create an accessible and supportive experience that allows every applicant to demonstrate their full range of talents and perspectives and work closely with applicants to ensure that any necessary reasonable adjustments are in place to remove any barriers. 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 (for example, large print);
• making adaptations to interview locations including hybrid arrangements;
• allowing applicants to present their skills and experience in a different way, for example receiving interview themes in advance, having additional processing time during assessments, or choosing a communication style that best showcases their skills. Examples of different styles may include a video or audio application or a presentation in place of a supporting statement;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection and interview process in advance to allow applicants time to prepare themselves;
• arranging support such as British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters or allowing support workers;
• making provision for support animals to attend where possible;

If you require any reasonable adjustments, you will have the chance to request these early in the application process;

If you have any questions or want to discuss your application in confidence, you should contact the team as early as possible using the email listed under 'Contact details' at the end of the advertisement.

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, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

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.

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, 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 are not completely satisfied with the way your application is handled at any stage of the competition, please raise any complaint in the first instance with: DfT Public Appointments DfTPublicAppointments@dft.gov.uk

Public Appointments Team

Shareholding, Appointments and Inquiry Response

Department for Transport

Great Minster House

33 Horseferry Road

London

SW1P 4DR

We will aim to reply to your complaint within 20 days.

If you remain unsatisfied, please contact the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Commissioner can only investigate complaints relating to regulated Public Appointments.

Data protection

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

The Department for Transport (DfT) is the joint controller, with the Cabinet Office, for any personal data which you provide to us as part of your application.

Information provided as part of this application will be kept securely within DfT and destroyed within 5 years of the conclusion of the recruitment campaign.

DfT uses this form to gather evidence on DfT’s public appointments. 

The lawful basis that applies to this processing is that it is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest to inform DfT’s recruitment policies in accordance with the Department’s public sector equality duties. For processing special category personal data (disability, religion, sexual orientation and ethnicity), we rely on Article 9(2)(g), reasons of substantial public interest (equality of opportunity and treatment).

Attachments

• Dover Harbour Board NED - Candidate Pack

Contact details

If you have any questions about the role or the application process, please contact Callie Foster at Odgers via callie.foster@odgers.com.

or for general enquiries: DfT Public Appointments Team via: DfTPublicAppointments@dft.gov.uk