Non-Executive Chair – Arenko Group

Hyperion Search Ltd; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

Arenko, a leader in battery optimization software, seeks a Non-Executive Chair to drive its growth phase. This impactful role requires deep experience in energy or SaaS fields, strong networking skills, and the ability to mentor and guide the existing leadership team towards strategic goals.

Qualifications

• Deep experience in the energy sector or SaaS/software leadership.
• Proven track record in supporting technology businesses or scaling up.
• Exceptionally well-connected with strong commercial networking.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and support the CEO in strategic growth.
• Lead board meetings with clarity and effectiveness.
• Support fundraising and partnerships discussions.

Skills

Commercial networking in energy

Mentorship

Strategic guidance

Deal closure

Job description

Arenko is a leading provider of battery optimisation software, accelerating the transition to a zero-carbon grid. With a best-in-class SaaS platform and deep domain expertise in grid-scale energy storage, Arenko empowers asset owners and traders to extract maximum value from energy assets, improving performance while supporting the energy transition.

Backed by highly engaged investors and led by a visionary founder, Arenko is at a pivotal stage of scale-up growth, with strong commercial traction, a committed team, and a product poised to shape the next phase of the energy and software market.

The Role
Arenko is seeking a Non-Executive Chair to support its next phase of growth and scale. This is a high-impact role, suited to someone with the experience, gravitas, and network to complement and bolster the existing leadership team — not to replace it.

This is not a passive governance position. While technically non-executive, the Chair will be expected to be semi-active — actively supporting commercial momentum, mentoring the CEO, and helping shape strategy and board effectiveness. The ideal candidate will be hands-on, outcome-oriented, and able to help close deals, shape product-market fit, or build strategic relationships, depending on their background.

What We're Looking For
We are open to candidates from one of two primary backgrounds:

1. Energy Industry Leadership

• Deep experience in the energy sector — particularly grid-scale storage, power markets, trading, or energy infrastructure.
• A strong commercial network in energy, with the ability to open doors, support commercial deals, and accelerate business development.
• Proven experience supporting or scaling technology businesses in the energy transition

2. SaaS/Software Scale-Up Leadership

• Proven success in leading or chairing SaaS businesses (ideally enterprise B2B or critical infrastructure software).
• Experience in product strategy, pricing, and go-to-market — ideally with a lens toward energy or industrial applications.
• Ability to mentor a technical founder/CEO and help navigate scale-up challenges in product and revenue growth.

Chair Role Expectations

• Provide active mentoring and support to the CEO (Rupert Newland), especially in strategic growth and commercial development.
• Bring an exceptional “black book” and use it to actively open commercial doors.
• Help close major deals, whether energy partnerships or software contracts, depending on background.
• Lead board meetings with clarity and effectiveness — though governance is important, Arenko’s board is cohesive and not complex.
  • Support longer-term fundraising or strategic partnership conversations when appropriate.

Additional Considerations

• The role will be the only independent seat on the board; the rest of the board comprises investors and one founder-family representative.
• The board values high-quality contributions over optics. Diversity is welcomed and encouraged, but not at the expense of experience or impact.
• The Chair will need to be comfortable flexing between strategic guidance and occasional roll-up-the-sleeves action.

Location: UK - London

Commitment: 2–3 days per month on average, with flexibility as required
Compensation: Competitive