Non Executive Director

Lancashire Renewables; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 10,000; Part time

Job summary

A Local Authority Owned Company in Lancashire seeks a Non-Executive Director to provide strategic oversight and guidance. The role involves engaging with stakeholders, monitoring company performance, and advocating for change in waste management services. Candidates should have experience in public sector accountability and corporate governance. The position requires approximately 20 days a year, with a remuneration of £10,000 annually along with reimbursed expenses.

Qualifications

• Experience as a company director or significant senior management level experience.
• Significant understanding of the waste industry and legislative requirements.
• Experience in leading change or transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Engage in strategic planning and assess company costs.
• Monitor company's progress against shareholder objectives.
• Advocate for change and oversee operational changes.

Skills

Understanding of private and public sector accountability

Experience in a political environment

Understanding of organisational development

Strong commercial acumen

Awareness of complexities in council-owned companies

Education

Professional qualification in waste management

Job description

Overview

Lancashire Renewables Limited is a private company owned by Lancashire County Council (LCC) (Majority Shareholder) and Blackpool Council with responsibility for handling and processing 400,000 tonnes of waste annually. The company is currently going through a period of significant change and growth as it prepares to support major initiatives such as the roll‑out of separate food waste collection services across the county. The Lancashire Renewables Limited board provides strategic direction and robust governance for the company, managing the delivery multi‑million pound waste management and processing service for the benefit of the residents of Lancashire through effective oversight of operational performance and constructive challenge on behalf of the shareholding councils. As a private limited company, Lancashire Renewables and its directors are governed by the statutory duties outlined in the Companies Act 2006. As majority shareholder, LCC is entitled to appoint up to 5 directors to the board and is currently looking to appoint two suitably qualified and experienced independent directors to contribute to the operational and strategic leadership of the company. Role Purpose The appointed individual(s) will play a crucial role and represent the interests of Lancashire County Council (LCC) as the majority shareholder of Lancashire Renewables Limited whilst providing independent oversight and strategic guidance to the company.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Company Direction – Engaging in strategic planning, provide feedback to elected council members, officers and committees (where requested), and assess company costs to ensure alignment with LCC's interests and financial efficiency.
2. Monitoring – Monitoring the company's progress against shareholder objectives, recommend strategic adjustments for optimal outcomes, and regularly review financial reports to ensure compliance with accounting standards and budget alignment.
3. Delivery – Monitoring the delivery of waste management services provided by the company ensuring efficient and effective delivery of those services. Driving a culture of performance improvement across the company at all levels.
4. Change – Being an advocate for change, having an awareness of changes in public behaviour and consumer trends, the relevant regulatory framework including waste management policy and legalisation, and shareholder priorities, including efficiencies. Overseeing and supporting large programmes of operational change. Ensuring projects are delivered on time and budget.
5. Risk Management – Providing input on risk management, identify and mitigate risks, and support in articulating Lancashire Renewables Limited's purpose, including ownership benefits and risks to LCC.
6. Communication – Ensuring shareholders' forums receive regular updates on Lancashire Renewables Limited board activities and strategic direction; and representing the interests of the company and its shareholders in discussions with internal and external stakeholders.

Core Competencies

The following criteria are essential for this role unless otherwise specified., A professional qualification in waste management is desirable although not essential.

• An understanding of private and public sector accountability
• Experience of working in a political environment
• An understanding of organisational development
• Strong commercial acumen
• An awareness of the complexities associated with operating a Council owned company

Skills and Experience

1. Experience of being a company director, significant understanding of the role of a director and / or significant senior management level experience with a proven record in developing the strategic direction of companies to ensure alignment with long‑term goals including shareholder responsibilities.
2. Experience of / significant understanding of the waste industry, legislative requirements, Government initiatives and policy OR similar regulated industries.
3. Oversight roles in organisations involving change or transformation initiatives.
4. Experience of successfully leading and influencing in settings where there are diverse stakeholders, interests and viewpoints.
5. Understanding of corporate governance principles, plus experience of working in compliance/regulatory environments and as part of a committee or board.
6. Experience of managing large scale contracts or other commercial arrangements.

Time Commitment

It is expected that the time commitment throughout the year would be approximately 20 days. This is taking into consideration attendance and preparation for a minimum of 4 Lancashire Renewables board meetings, potential attendance at council meetings and briefings with officers of the company / site visits to the waste processing plants. In addition, engaging with multiple stakeholders separately and travelling to meetings.

Remuneration

The Non‑Executive Director role attracts annual remuneration of £10,000, in addition to which the successful candidates will be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out the role. Appointments made will be subject to an annual review.

Interview Process

Interview for the role will be held within 3 weeks of the closing date for applications - it is anticipated they will be the last week of November or the first week in December.