Liverpool Chamber seeks new chairperson and NEDs
A unique opportunity has arisen to help lead Liverpool City Region’s foremost business organisation. Liverpool Chamber is seeking to appoint a new chairperson alongside three non-executive directors. Its current chair Neil Ashbridge has entered the final year of his fixed-term tenure and will step down in October 2022 after six years in the role.
In the past year, Liverpool Chamber has relocated its head office after 86 years to the Cotton Exchange building and successfully restructured its membership scheme to reflect the city region’s changing economic landscape. This has led to a record number of new member registrations, from SMEs to multi-million-pound firms, while several new patrons have joined its portfolio, including BT, Rutherford Health, Sutcliffe, Liverpool Hope University and Bruntwood Works.
The chair and NEDs will support the board of directors in delivering continuous improvement and transformation, maximising its operational resources and demonstrating best practice and value to stakeholders. The Chamber hopes to have all four roles in place by June 2022 to allow for a smooth transition.
→ 3 x Non-Executive Directors
Time Commitment – The time commitment envisaged is 6-8 two-hour director/sub-committee meetings per year and one strategy day as well as voluntary attendance and leadership at several ambassadorial functions throughout the year, including the Chamber’s Annual Dinner/Awards and wider British Chambers events and activities.
Main purpose of the role:
The role of Non-executive Director is an important position which ensures the Chamber has effective strategic leadership and operational oversight whilst the CEO and management team is provided with a good balance of support and challenge in efforts to deliver the objectives of the business.
The Chamber is particularly keen to welcome individuals with such specialism as Finance and risk management, Marketing & PR, Legal experience and HR & Talent Management but has a range of skills and attributes it requires to fulfil its remit and is welcoming of all applications including those with experience of delivering social value and impact through their business activity.
The Chamber wishes to have the position confirmed by June 2022 to enable a positive transition of the role in October 2022.
→ Chair
Time Commitment – The time commitment envisaged is one to two days per month covering six Board meetings, various committee meetings, one strategy day, as well as voluntary attendance and leadership at several ambassadorial functions throughout the year, including the Chamber’s Annual Dinner/Awards and wider British Chambers events and activities.
Main purpose of the role:
The role of Chair is an important leadership position, which ensures the conditions are created for overall board and individual director effectiveness, whilst providing the CEO and management team with a good balance of support and challenge in efforts to deliver the objectives of the business.
The new Chair is envisaged to be an external appointment who will be a strategic thinker and will ensure the Directors are reinforcing the Chamber’s commitment to continuous improvement, development and transformation as the business environment evolves, whilst remaining focussed on the Chamber’s core purpose as the trusted, authentic voice of business in the city.
The Chamber wishes to have the position confirmed by June 2022 to enable a positive transition of the role in October 2022.
Paul Cherpeau, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber, said:
“We have made enormous strides in the past few years and we are rightly seen as the trusted, authentic voice of business in the Liverpool City Region. This is an exciting time to join the Chamber and these new appointments will help us to continue its modernisation as a vibrant, energised representative organisation and we hope to attract a diverse and broad-based pool of experienced applicants.
“The role of chair is an important leadership position that ensures the right conditions are created for the board and individual directors to be effective, whilst providing myself and the management team with a good balance of support and challenge in efforts to deliver the objectives within our Strategic Plan.
“Both roles require a clear understanding of the existing ecosystem of organisations and networks within the Liverpool City Region. As a collective, we add value to businesses by tackling the issues our members face; articulating their challenges and finding solutions by connecting the dots. We must remain agile and responsive to the needs of local businesses and continue to distil policy and translate the business agenda.”
Liverpool Chamber delivers a range of engagement activities and international trade support for businesses. Through the Quarterly Economic Survey, it provides the most comprehensive and respected insight into business sentiment in the region and across the UK. It has 16 full-time employees with turnover of approximately £1.1m, generated through membership subscriptions, export advisory services and publicly-funded business support.