Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Chair

UK Export Finance; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UK Export Finance is looking for a Non-Executive Director to join their Board, transitioning to the Chair of the Audit Committee. This role requires outstanding leadership and strategic capabilities, alongside a commitment to supporting UK exports. The successful candidate will engage with key stakeholders and oversee financial governance, driving the agency's mission forward.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a senior role, ideally in audit or finance.
• Ability to engage with key stakeholders and provide constructive challenge.
• A strong commitment to supporting UK exports.

Responsibilities

• Chair the Audit Committee and oversee financial reporting.
• Provide mentorship to UKEF colleagues and contribute to board discussions.
• Engage effectively with stakeholders and ensure the board meets its responsibilities.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Mentoring

Stakeholder engagement

Audit knowledge

Education

Professional accounting qualification

Job description

UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the UK’s export credit agency and a government department. Founded in 1919 as the world’s first export credit agency, we have been innovating since day one, and now have over 100 years’ track record supporting UK exports.

Our 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. To do this we provide loans, guarantees and insurance to help UK companies win overseas sales, fulfil export contracts, and make sure that they get paid. We exist to complement, not compete with the private sector, and work with over 100 private credit insurers and lenders.

Our strategy remains one of ambitious evolution, building on over a century’s experience and success to support businesses to invest, grow and export delivering against our Business Plan, launched at the beginning of the 2024-25 financial year.

The UKEF Board, whose role is advisory, supports both the Accounting Officer and Ministers responsible for UKEF through operational oversight and by providing advice and challenge. The board is led by a non-executive Chair. Its membership comprises a majority of non-executive board members, including ex-officio representatives from DBT, UK Government Investments, and the Export Guarantees Advisory Council (EGAC), and three executive directors (the Chief Executive, the Chief Risk Officer and the Chief Finance and Operating Officer).

We are looking to appoint a Non-Executive Director to join the UKEF Board, transitioning into the role of Chair of the Audit Committee following a period of handover to ensure a smooth succession.

As a non-executive Board member, you will bring an external, independent perspective to UKEF’s operations engaging in all items that come to the Board, and providing support, mentoring and challenge to colleagues across UKEF. On transitioning into the role of Audit Chair, you will be required to build an open and effective relationship with key stakeholders such as the Chief Finance and Operating Officer, Audit Committee members, the Head of Internal Audit, and external auditors. As well as chairing the Audit Committee, you will be a member of the Risk Committee, partnering with the Risk Committee Chair in ensuring the Board exercises all its responsibilities across both remits effectively and efficiently.

We are seeking an outstanding individual with an enthusiasm for supporting UK exports. Candidates will be tested on their ability to operate effectively as the Chair of UKEF’s Audit Committee as well as a member of the wider UKEF Board.

UKEF has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please click Apply on website. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on Monday 30^th June 2025.