Chair of the Board

The Opportunity
Advance Northumberland Ltd is a unique economic regeneration company, established as a wholly owned company of Northumberland County Council.

As the Council’s primary regeneration development vehicle, the company has a clear remit to improve prosperity, quality of life and increase business activity throughout the communities of Northumberland.

Advance Northumberland currently employ a wide range of investment, development and regeneration capabilities to shape places and promote economic growth and high-quality outcomes for the community of Northumberland.

The Chair of Advance Northumberland will work alongside the CEO and will lead the Board. The Board is currently made up of Non-Executive Directors, Executive Directors and Officers of the Council.

This is truly an exciting time to join Advance Northumberland. The Chair will play an integral part in the long term success and effectiveness of the Board in supporting the CEO to deliver on his newly launched 5 year business plan for 2025-2030

The Role
The Chair of Advance Northumberland, works closely with the CEO and will lead the board. They will also be appointed as a Non-Executive Director to the boards of all subsidiaries of the Company.
Specific responsibilities include

• ensure that the Company has a clear strategic direction and vision and to work closely with the Council and the Company’s senior management to set Advance Northumberland’s overall direction, policy and plans.
• ensure that the Board performs effectively and efficiently as a collective entity, to direct and control the work of the Company and each subsidiary in order to ensure that it maximises output against its strategic objectives, quality of service and value for money.
• ensure the Board of Directors has skills, capabilities, qualifications or attributes that are directly relevant to the purpose or activity of the Company and that a complementary mix of competencies is achieved across the Board to actively enhance the capabilities of the Company and that a skills / capabilities / qualifications matrix shall compiled and maintained by the Company Secretary.
• uphold the values of Advance Northumberland, providing strategic direction and motivational leadership in the delivery of its business plans.
• provide clear demarcation of governance between the Council Shareholder and the Company

As the Board of Directors of Advance Northumberland have ultimate legal responsibility for the control and conduct of the affairs of the Company and all of its subsidiaries.

Please see the candidate briefing pack for a full role profile and background information here.

About You
It is essential that candidates are a seasoned and strategic leader with a proven track record in one or more of the following sectors
Financial Services - Human Resources - Construction and Regeneration - Marketing - Health and Safety or Law.

You will bring board-level experience, having held executive or non-executive directorships in growth-oriented organisations, ideally those serving the business community across public, private, or not-for-profit sectors.

You will possess a deep understanding of strategic development, governance, and operational leadership, and have successfully contributed to business transformation and sustainable growth.

Your experience includes committee or board participation, and you must be well-versed in the dynamics of the markets in which we operate or aspire to grow.

You will be a respected and principled leader, known for your integrity, gravitas, and ability to challenge constructively.

It is essential that you are a clear communicator, have experience in motivating senior teams, and a strategic thinker with a strong grasp of risk, systems, and financial oversight. You must be able to demonstrate that you understand the importance of equality, diversity, and community values, and are committed to upholding them.

Individuals must have a strong connection to the local area and be willing to invest your time and expertise to help shape the future of a dynamic, values-driven organisation.

How to apply
Please forward an up to date CV which shows your career history (no longer than 3 pages please), and a supporting statement (no longer than 1 page please) explaining why you are interested in this role and how you fulfil the person specification. Please send to quoting ref 409348

Please contact Sue Ormerod, Regional Director at Nigel Wright to register your interest in this role ASAP and for an informal discussion regarding the opportunity. Sue can be contacted on her mobile or email .

Applications will be assessed on receipt and candidates contacted within 3 days.

Informal conversations with potential shortlisted candidates will take place on Wednesday 13th August

Our intention is to hold formal interviews on Monday 18th August with the appointment to be made in September