CHAIR Appointment Brief October 2020
INTRODUCTION Dear candidate, Thank for your interest in the Aldersgate Group. We are excited to be recruiting a new chair to build on our recent achievements and help us maximise the organisation’s impact at a critical time for the environmental and climate agenda. The Aldersgate Group was founded in 2007, with the firm belief that ambitious climate and environmental policy is essential to both safeguard the environment and to support a resilient and competitive economy. The Group has a growing membership of around 55 member organisations coming from all parts of the economy, civil society and the world of academia. Our corporate members have a global collective turnover in excess of £550bn. Working closely with our members, our role is to make a compelling business case for the UK Government to put in place more ambitious policies to tackle climate change and environmental degradation and grow the low carbon economy. We publish a wide range of reports and hold numerous events, roundtables and private meetings through which we provide policy makers with specific policy recommendations to build a net zero emissions, environmentally resilient and competitive economy. Our work spans a wide range of policy areas including climate and energy, resource efficiency, natural environment, green finance, trade and industrial strategy. Whilst we are predominantly focused on UK policy, we also engage in EU policy debates around climate change, biodiversity and the circular economy and support the UK Government’s work in the run up to global climate summits. Through our reports, political engagement and media initiatives, we have helped shape major policy developments in the UK over the last five years such as the emerging green economic recovery plan from COVID-19,
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the net zero emissions target, the Environment Bill, the Resources and Waste Strategy and the Green Finance Strategy. In the EU, we are active participants in the ongoing design of the Circular Economy Package and updates to the 2030 climate target. The Aldersgate Group has a Secretariat of 7 employees and we are fortunate to have a very engaged and knowledgeable Board of Directors, coming from a wide range of business and civil society backgrounds. Together, we discuss the Aldersgate Group’s strategy and the best ways forward to adapt to the complex political, policy and economic context that the Group operates within. As Chair of the Aldersgate Group, you will support the Executive Director and the Board of Directors in helping shape the organisation’s evolving strategy and maximise its external impact in the years ahead. You will represent the Aldersgate Group at some key external events to speak with authority about what businesses and investors need from policy makers to play their part in achieving ambitious climate and environmental targets. The new Chair will help grow the Aldersgate Group’s business, academic and political network and provide targeted support to the Executive Director and the Board to ensure the Group is effectively governed. This is a crucial time to be joining and strengthening the work of the Aldersgate Group. Decisions over this parliamentary term will determine whether the UK is on track for an environmentally sustainable and durable recovery, its net zero target and ambition to reverse the decline of the natural environment within a generation. We look forward to taking on these challenges with our new chair and look forward to meeting you. Yours sincerely, Nick Molho, Executive Director Joan Walley, Chair
Appointment Brief ALDERSGATE GROUP
ALDERSGATE GROUP Appointment Brief
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WHO WE ARE The Aldersgate Group is an alliance of leaders from business, politics and civil society that drives action for a sustainable and competitive economy. Our members include some of the largest businesses in the UK from a wide range of economic sectors with a collective global turnover of over £550bn. Other members include leading NGOs, professional institutes, public sector bodies, trade bodies and politicians from across the political spectrum. We are politically impartial and champion the important role of the business sector in moving the UK towards a competitive, resource efficient, environmentally resilient and net zero emissions economy.
What we do We develop independent policy solutions based on targeted research and the expertise and diversity of our members. Through our broad membership, we advocate change that delivers benefits to an ever-growing spectrum of the economy. We engage with key decision makers, respond to important consultations and inquiries, develop major policy reports and briefings and hold high-level debates to publicise important topics. Our Membership includes:
We call on government to: • •
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Appointment Brief ALDERSGATE GROUP
Set a high level of ambition in climate policy, resource efficiency and environmental protection; Provide policy stability to support affordable business investment in the sustainable infrastructure and solutions the UK needs to build an environmentally resilient, net zero emissions and competitive economy; Recognise and seize through its Industrial Strategy the economic benefits that tackling environmental challenges and building a resource efficient and low carbon economy can provide. In addition to our work in the UK, we also have a targeted programme of work at EU level, focused mainly on the EU’s overall climate and energy ambitions, the development of its Circular Economy Action Plan and the economic recovery.
ALDERSGATE GROUP Appointment Brief
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FINANCES Year End 2019 £450,000
Income: c£320,000
£400,000 £350,000
Expenditure: c£370,000
£300,000 £250,000 £200,000 £150,000 £100,000 £50,000 0
Year End 2020 £450,000
Income: c£440,000
£400,000 £350,000
Expenditure: c£320,000
£300,000 £250,000 £200,000 £150,000 £100,000 £50,000 0
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Appointment Brief ALDERSGATE GROUP
ALDERSGATE GROUP Appointment Brief
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CURRENT POLICY OBJECTIVES Recovering from COVID-19 •
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Make a compelling evidence-based case for the government to align the economic recovery with • the UK’s climate and environmental goals and present the government with a detailed plan of action Engage extensively with the UK Government on how to go about the economic recovery and share relevant • aspects of the Aldersgate Group’s work with EU institutions
Strengthening the UK Green Finance Strategy
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Make the case for the UK Government to publish a clear net zero delivery plan ahead of COP26 and put forward clear guidance for government Push for policy developments in areas where progress has been insufficient to date (e.g. buildings, transport and heavy industry) Advocate for the development of a national low carbon skills strategy and put forward clear recommendations to government Supporting the organisation of an ambitious COP26 summit in the UK Maximise the visibility of business, academic and civil society voices regarding key priorities for COP26; Strengthen relationships with all the key government teams leading on the organisation of COP26 to better identify key areas where Aldersgate Group support is needed; Ensure delay to COP26 does not dilute momentum and is translated into greater ambitions for the summit
Natural capital and the Environment Bill •
Appointment Brief ALDERSGATE GROUP
Push for rapid implementation of the 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy, with a particular focus on extended producer responsibility schemes, product standards and public procurement. Continue to engage with the EU on updates to the Circular Economy Package and in particular the 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan
Climate, energy and skills policy
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Influencing the implementation of the Resources and Waste Strategy
Strengthen the UK’s Green Finance Strategy, with a particular focus on advocating for the creation of a new National Investment Bank, mandatory climate risk disclosure, the development of green finance standards and the introduction of incentives / dis-incentives to facilitate investment in green infrastructure relative to high carbon infrastructure.
Advocating for a trade policy that is aligned with climate and environmental goals •
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Highlight the importance of the UK’s trade policy being aligned with climate and environmental goals and the UK’s low carbon growth ambitions; Influence the passage of the Trade Bill and the key features of upcoming free trade agreements to ensure they protect the UK’s right to regulate to deliver its climate and environmental goals, help grow low carbon exports and maintain / promote a high level playing field on environmental and climate standards.
Drive the development of a comprehensive and ambitious Environment Bill, which maintains equivalent arrangements for enforcement of environmental law after the UK leaves the EU and which commits to driving natural environmental improvements through an ambitious and comprehensive set of targets.
ALDERSGATE GROUP Appointment Brief
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ROLE DESCRIPTION Job Title: Chair Location: London Time commitment: Up to two days per calendar month Term of office: Three-year term, which can be renewed once Renumeration: This role is unremunerated. All accommodation, subsistence and travel expenses relating to the Chair’s work for the Aldersgate Group will be reimbursed in accordance with the company’s policy.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Role Purpose
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The Chair’s role is to provide strategic and leadership support to the Executive Director and the Board. The Chair will be passionate about the vision and purpose of the Aldersgate Group and will provide support in helping update that vision over time and translate it into concrete interventions on the ground. The Chair will act as an ambassador to high profile external audiences for the cause and work of the Aldersgate Group and help open new doors for the organisation.
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Key Responsibilities
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Provide input into the evolving strategy of the Aldersgate Group, with a focus in particular on how the Aldersgate Group can most effectively guide policy action to deliver the UK’s environmental and climate commitments on the ground Represent the Aldersgate Group on targeted occasions in front of high-profile external audiences (political, business, media, events) Help open new doors for the Aldersgate Group in terms of new business, academic, media and political contacts Recruitment of new members: where relevant and appropriate, the Chair will accompany the Executive Director to meetings to attract new member organisations to the Aldersgate Group Board Structure and Governance: the Chair will support the Executive Director in ensuring Board balance, succession and recruitment. The Chair will be responsible for chairing the quarterly board of directors and members’ meetings
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A commitment to the mission, aims and ethos of the Aldersgate Group An ability to chair effectively a high performing Board of Directors in governing an organisation and demonstrating a commitment to the importance of diversity as part of good governance Sound independent judgement, strategic vision and the ability to think creatively A willingness and ability to serve as a critical friend and mentor to the Executive Director A good understanding and awareness of the business world, ideally with some practical experience in the world of business Credibility with businesses and an ability to speak with authority about what business needs from policy to deliver the UK’s environmental and climate targets A good understanding of UK politics with a proven ability to reach out to all sides of the political spectrum Evidence of long-term interest and accomplishments on the climate and environmental agenda coupled with the ability to relate to NGOs, think tanks, educational institutions and other important third sector organisations An accomplished public speaker with the ability to strategically engage with a variety of senior stakeholders in government, the media, business and other areas Well developed and active networks in business and politics with a willingness to leverage these networks on behalf of the Aldersgate Group The successful candidate will not be actively employed by government and will be widely seen as sitting above party politics
Board Dates 2021 Quarterly board meetings will typically take place on the third Tuesday or Thursday in March, June, September and December 2021. Final dates will be confirmed shortly.
Equal Opportunities The Aldersgate Group is a multi-cultural organisation. The Group is fully committed to equal opportunities and is actively seeking to increase the diversity of its governance structure and workforce. The Group strongly encourages eligible candidates from non-white ethnic minorities, and candidates with disabilities, as they are currently under-represented in the organisation’s governance and workforce.
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Appointment Brief ALDERSGATE GROUP
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Appointment brief | May 2020
ALDERSGATE GROUP Appointment Brief Appointment brief | May 2020
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HOW TO APPLY To apply in confidence to become Chair of the Aldersgate Group, please submit a copy of your CV together with a supporting statement of up to 500 words. Please ensure that your application fully addresses the requirements for the role. Please let us know if you will require any special provision as a result of any disability should you be called for interview. Finally, please ensure that you have included your telephone numbers, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the indicative timetable. At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses and are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record and are not part of any application you make.
Deadline for applications: 22 November Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 30 November Interviews with Aldersgate Group: December or January (TBC) Queries If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information or wish to have an informal discussion, please contact James Wilkinson, Børge Andreassen or Joan Mwangi at: james.wilkinson@prospect-us.co.uk borge.Andreassen@prospect-us.co.uk joan.mwangi@prospect-us.co.uk
Applications should be made via the Prospectus website at: https://www.prospect-us.co.uk/jobs/details/hq00177700
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Appointment Brief ALDERSGATE GROUP
ALDERSGATE GROUP Appointment Brief
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