Dear Candidate

I am delighted that you are considering joining our Board of Directors with a view to you then working with us to deliver sustainable outcomes to people and communities of Fife.

BRAG Enterprises Limited is Fifes leading Social Enterprise and Charity which was formed in 1988 in response to the decline of the heavy engineering and mining industries within the Benarty area. Its primary aim was in the regeneration of these communities through the creation and support of sustainable employment. To compliment this activity, we also provided a wide range of complimentary initiatives including business support, retraining and recruitment.

Since that time the organisation has developed across Fife and beyond being known as one with an excellent track record of working with some of the most hard to reach groups in Fife providing robust services that then assist those communities in achieving positive sustainable success. The business currently owns its own properties which includes the Crosshill Business Centre near the beautiful Lochore Country Park

Despite a number of financial challenges over the last few years, BRAG Enterprises are a financially healthy organisation with an annual income now in excess of £1 million with income coming from a mixture of grants and earned rental from our range of business and start-up work space. We are also the lead organisation in the Fife Employability Consortium (Fife ETC) and also provide business support to Social Enterprises in Fife

The Board currently consists of 8 Directors with a variety of skills and expertise with some having been with us for many years. A recent review has suggested we need to ensure continued strong strategic leadership and governance going forward so we are now looking to add to this with two further Directors as well as a new Chair, We are particularly looking for individuals with senior experience in Community Regeneration, Employability and Facilities Management.

You should ideally hold, or have held a senior roles in your sector however a desire to effect change and support communities is a stronger pre-requisite. Please find the person specification, role description and application form attached.

I look forward to receiving your application

Kind regards

William Clarke

Chairman of the Board

Specific Duties of all Board Directors

There is a core set of duties which apply to all Board Directors:

·  To ensure that the business complies with its Articles of Association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations, direction, requirement, notice or duty imposed by such legislation;

·  To ensure that the business pursues its objects;

·  To ensure that the Trust applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects. In other words the Trust must not spend money on activities which are not in support or furtherance of its own purposes, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are;

·  To contribute actively to the Board of Directors’ role in giving strategic direction to the Trust, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets;

·  To comply with the legal duties and responsibilities of a Company Director and a charity trustee;

·  To safeguard the good name and values of the Trust, to comply with the “Board Code of Conduct” document published by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and to adhere to the policy requirements of the Trust as set out in this document and in other policy and procedure manuals;

·  To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Trust;

·  To ensure the financial stability of the Trust;

·  To protect and manage the property of the Trust and to ensure the proper investment of its funds;

·  To support the Managing Director of the Trust and monitor his/her performance;

·  To sit on appointment, appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary panels and sub-committees as required;

·  Undertaking specific assignments at the request of the Chair.

In addition to the above specific duties, each Board Director should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Directors reach sound decisions. This will involve scrutinising Board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives or other issues in which the Board Director has particular knowledge or experience. Also, where Board Directors are appointed by the Board to chair, to be a member of the Audit Committee or any other Board committee or working group, they should contribute actively to that committee or group, including:

·  Ensuring that the committee or group adheres to its remit and that it does not depart from the policies and strategy of the Board;

·  Preparing properly for meetings; and

·  Undertaking any tasks requested by the group.

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Person Specification

Essential
Experience:
An understanding of strategic financial planning and management.
Chairing meetings at management level.
Understanding of governance and regulated sectors (public or private).
Evidence of strong business acumen
Skills:
The ability to think strategically and creatively.
Ability to lead the Board, ensuring its effectiveness of its role, agenda and action.
Ability to analyse and critique information
Excellent written and spoken communication.
An ability to network and be an ambassador for the business.
Understanding of social policy
Personal Attributes:
Commitment to the work of the charity.
Willingness to devote the time and effort necessary.
Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Capacity and evidence of understanding and support for the concept of a non-profit business and the environment that BRAG currently operates in.
Desirable
5 years working at a senior/strategic Commercial/private/voluntary sector leadership level.
Awareness of the voluntary sector in general and issues affecting service users in particular those furthest away from the labour market.
Ability to identify and exploit new funding opportunities.
Knowledge of:
·  Financial management and / or accounting
·  Property development and asset management
·  Social Enterprise and new business development
·  Community Engagement.
·  Awareness of the public and private sectors and how they relate to the work of the voluntary sector

Do you love Fife as much as we do? Have you ever wondered if you could use your skills in a way that helps enterprise its people and the communities they live in?

If so, we are now recruiting new Board members and a Board Chair

Our mission is one of stimulating communities to pursue sustainable long term outcomes that can include things like robust employment and the growth of community enterprise. Our Board of Directors is committed to this mission, and we expect members to bring their wide range of skills, knowledge, expertise, objectivity, insight and strategic thought to the table. They should involve themselves in our work and steer and drive our organisation to achieve increasingly better results.We are looking for experienced and passionate people to join our Board of Directors and assist us in our strategic development and governance.

About you

We are looking for new Board Members who can help us expand the range of skills around the table. Candidates do not need experience or knowledge of Enterprise or Employability but must be committed and passionate about making a difference for the communities we support. At this time, we are ideally seeking individuals with senior experience in Community Regeneration, Employability or Facilities Management. You should hold, or have held, senior roles in your sector preferably with experience of setting strategy and managing senior staff but again it’s not crucial.

The Role

The Board ensures the delivery of all aspects of our service and policy implementation, whilst supporting the Managing Director in achieving the organisation’s Vision and Purpose. Board members are also offered a thorough induction to the work of the organisation and opportunities for their own personal development. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to creating a diverse team.

The Commitment

This is a non-remunerated role but full of non-monetary benefits that come from helping others. Full Board meetings are held quarterly in our Business Centre in Crosshill and we have events and development days which Board members can also attend each year.

If you require further information please contact Brian Robertson-Fern Managing Director on 01592 860296. You can also visit our website at www.brag.co.uk

CONFIDENTIAL
APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION

Please complete all sections in black ink or typescript. Please also enclose a curriculum vitae if you have one.

POST TITLE : BRAG BOARD TRUSTEE
PERSONAL DETAILS
SURNAME : / INITIALS :
ADDRESS :
POST CODE :
Current status i.e. employed, retired?………………………………………. / TELEPHONE NO. :
Home :
Mobile :
UNIVERSITY OR FURTHER EDUCATION
DATES (month/year)
From / To / University, College, etc. / Qualifications obtained stating subjects studied and level of pass
FURTHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/SPECIALISED TRAINING
Training Organisation / Course (include details of any certificates obtained
Description experience and Knowledge that support your application :
Your reasons for making this application :

Please return form marked ‘Private & Confidential’ to:

Brian Robertson-Fern

Brag enterprises Ltd

Crosshil Business Centre

Main Street

Crosshill

KY5 8BJ