Appointment Brief

National Parks Partnerships Ltd

Crown Commercial Services |

We are seeking 3 exceptional, pioneering people to form the first board for a new venture to transform corporate relationships and achieve significant sponsorship for the UK’s most iconic landscapes. This is an unprecedented opportunity to be instrumental in shaping the future for our National Parks, to make a step change in corporate sector engagement with our agenda at a critical time.

Responsibilities

The board will be responsible for establishing a programme to build and manage relationships with the corporate sector and to achieve significant sponsorship for UK National Parks.

It will recruit and manage personnel/contractors to develop the business plan, make contacts, set targets and establish ways of working.

It will have a strong relationship with the Board of the ‘parent’ company, National Parks UK; the strategy of which will provide the overriding direction for the UK National Parks and priorities for investment.

It will establish governance and ways of working enabling the discharge of its business in the most efficient, effective and collaborative way and its duties in accordance with requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Priorities

To advance the development of corporate sponsorship for the UK National Park brand, including (but not limited to):

  1. Establishing the new company according to Companies Act 2006
  1. Finalising the business plan:
  • Finalisation of a costed, two-year business plan, based on the ‘business case’ agreed by NPUK, returning a sustainable and profitable business
  1. Building a network of new potential sponsors and partners across sectors to:
  • Review their needs and recommend key sectors/businesses
  • Identify the extent to which National Parks UK (and constituent NPAs) can meet those needs
  • Identify level of interest in sponsorship including level of financial support and what would be required in return
  • Examine relationships with others in the sector and define our niche with the corporate sector
  1. Developing marketing strategy to:
  • Deploy the NP brand and to maximise income
  • Target promotion and develop required marketing materials

Governance

There will be 9 Directors:

6 Executive Directors recruited from within the Parks Family through a nomination process; 1 each from Scotland, Wales and 4 from England (to reflect proportion of Parks across the UK).

3 Non-Executive Directors recruited externally according to skills and expertise on offer and of relevance to securing the establishment and success of the new company.

The role

The Non-Executive Directors will:

  • Work as part of the executive team to drive forward the organisation; provide independent challenge, advice, key contacts and bring a customer perspective to the organisation’s strategic direction, growth and business plan and development of its marketing approach.
  • Ensure that financial information is accurate and that financial and operational controls and systems of risk management are robust and defensible.
  • Ensure that the Board maintains compliance with the requirements of the ‘Companies Act 2006’

Crown Commercial Services | Non-Executive Director

Person specification

We are seeking individuals with demonstrable skills and knowledge that match the following requirements:

Skills, Knowledge and Understanding
  1. Ability to analyse and evaluate complex issues and options

  1. Ability to negotiate with and influence others to secure results

  1. Ability to communicate clearly in non-technical language

  1. Ability to support and constructively challenge

  1. Ability to make your work with the new company relevant to the UKNational Park needs and aspirations

  1. Ability to provide leadership and advocacy (in team or organisation)

  1. Role of UK National Parks

  1. Branding

  1. Commercial Sponsorship

  1. Company Governance

  1. Strong relevant national/international networks or connections

  1. Financial awareness

Terms of appointment

  • The position is not remunerated however travel and reasonable subsistence expenses will be reimbursed.
  • The initial time commitment will be commensurate with the requirement to establish the Company. This commitment will reduce over time to approximately 12 days per annum.
  • The position is offered initially for a two year renewable term.

How to apply

If you have any questions regarding this exciting new opportunity, please contact Alison Barnes – Chief Executive - New Forest National Park Authority - 01590 64 6632 or

The closing date for applicants is noon on 20 April 2015

Please complete the Expression of Interest form and enclose your CV and send these via email toor via post to Kathryn Cook, UK Director

National Parks UK,126 Bute Street, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF10 5LE

Interviews will be held on 12 May in the offices of the Peak District National Park