BWL Seeks Independent Chair of the Board

BWL is inviting applications for Independent Chair of the Board.

As the UK's recognised National Governing Body for Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, British Weight Lifting’s (BWL) role is to inspire a nation of weightlifters and para powerlifters through exceptional leadership and expertise. The organisation is responsible for the growth and success of weightlifting and para powerlifting at every level.

ABOUT BRITISH WEIGHT LIFTING  

Their work sees them support a network of weightlifting and para powerlifting bodies, clubs and gyms across the UK, as well as the thousands of people actively involved in sport. BWL strives to deliver exceptional training programmes, educational structures and competitions that create opportunities for individuals to participate and excel in the sport.

Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting in the UK is undergoing a period of growth in general participation as well as elite performance improvement, including medal success in major championships such as the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games. It is an empowering activity for both sexes and is seeing female participation grow considerably.

Noting the retirement of Independent Chair Angus Kinnear after seven years of service, there now exists the opportunity to appoint a new BWL Independent Chair of the Board.

Principle Responsibilities

Role Purpose

Lead the Board in their collective responsibility for setting direction, strategy and vision, monitoring performance within the powers and parameters laid down in BWL’s Articles of Association, operate to and within policies adopted by the Board and the law.

Governance and Strategic Leadership

Chair Board Meetings in a professional and impartial manner, ensuring sufficient time for discussion so that conclusions are reached and decisions taken effectively in BWL’s best interests.

Ensure and encourage Board members’ full and active engagement in Board discussion and decision- making with appropriate challenge, drawing on their skills and knowledge so that the Board optimises its full potential and that the Board takes collective ownership of decisions taken.

Monitor that decisions taken at Board meetings are acted upon.

Avoid any significant personal conflict of interest and ensure that any other conflicts of interest within the Board are identified and resolved.

Lead the Board in fulfilment of its duty to ensure BWL’s sound financial health, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability.

Ensure that the Board is able to review major opportunities and risks regularly so that systems are in place to optimise opportunities and mitigate risks.

Develop the knowledge and capability of the members of the Board.

Foster, maintain and ensure constructive relationships with and between Board members, the CEO, and the management team.

Lead an annual review of Board performance to ensure the requisite balance and blend of experience, knowledge and skills to govern and lead BWL effectively.

External Member and Stakeholder Relations

Create and maintain effective relationships with members, key partners and stakeholders, establishing mutual understanding of interests, needs and outcomes.

Act as an ambassador, advocate and, where appropriate, spokesperson for BWL, representing the organisation at events, functions and meetings, deploying appropriate style, content and presentation of such representation.

Promote BWL actively and positively so that all stakeholders perceive BWL as a well-managed, highly regarded and sustainable national governing body of sport.

Relationship with the CEO

Work closely with the CEO to set the Board agendas so that Board meetings are well planned and supporting information is accurate, relevant and timely to facilitate effective discussion and decision- making.

Provide leadership and guidance to the CEO to ensure that the organisation is run in accordance with Board decisions and BWL’s Articles of Association with clarity about the organisation’s objectives at all levels.

Ensure regular contact with the CEO to develop and maintain an open, supportive relationship within which each can speak openly, whilst respecting his/her executive and operational responsibilities, and, when necessary, providing appropriate challenge.

Promote and exemplify constructive relationships between the Board, CEO and management team.

Ensure that there is a clear and open process for the recruitment (and if necessary, dismissal) of the CEO, and a rigorous procedure for setting and reviewing his/her remuneration based on annual objectives and performance review.

Ensure that the CEO has the opportunity for professional development and has appropriate external professional support.

Behaviours, Qualities and Values

Lives and upholds the highest standards of professionalism and ethics, leads by example always seeking to improve personal performance and finds ways to champion the pursuit of excellence in others.

Strong leadership, empathetic and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and develop relationships, bring people together, and motivate.

Able to create collegiate, collaborative, honest and open environment, to listen actively to the views and opinions of others, attends to what others need to perform and generate trust to forge consensus.

Able to demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the core functions, strategic objectives and values of BWL.

Politically aware and able to engage at a senior level with politicians, senior officials and key funding stakeholders and partners.

Exceptional communication skills and comfortable in an ambassadorial role to represent BWL externally.

Energy, drive, resilience and a willingness to work towards achieving shared objectives.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

Current or recent experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level with a successful track record of achievement.

Current or recent experience of being a Chair or a Non-Executive Director in the private, public or not-for- profit sectors.

Strong financial literacy, sound knowledge of corporate governance and the appropriate assurance and legal framework complemented by substantial business experience and understanding of the issues applicable to running a not-for-profit organisation effectively.

A broad understanding of the sporting landscape in the UK, including the funding and political environment and a keen interest in sport and active recreation.

Strong Analytical skills, and the ability to present own views in a clear, concise manner.

Person Specification

Criteria	Essential	Desirable
Demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and probity	X
Able to demonstrate sufficient objectivity at all times	X
Demonstrate a passion and commitment to BWL, its strategic objectives, purpose and values	X
Personal gravitas to lead a national governing body of sport	X
Strong empathetic and inter-personal and relationship building abilities	X
Comfortable in an ambassadorial role	X
Able to demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively	X
Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment	X
Ability to commit the time necessary to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of standard office hours	X
Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level	X
Significant experience of chairing meetings at Board level	X
Strong leadership skills, ability to generate trust and motivate	X
Experience of external representation, in multi-stakeholder environment		X
Financial and/or legal and/or assurance expertise		X
Knowledge of the sporting landscape, high performance sport and grassroots sport		X
Safeguarding Champion		X

Commitment to Equality

BWL is a recognised equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, belief and gender. BWL welcomes new ideas and perspectives.

This ethos has seen us create an incredibly committed, professional and skilled team that is at the heart of everything we do. Furthermore, we are dedicated to helping our Board and staff fulfil their potential and continually encourage professional development at every opportunity.

Meeting Schedule

To attend up to five Board meetings per year and two committee meetings per year (as needed) and contribute appropriately to ensure that the corporate objectives of BWL, key performance indicators and the overall vision for the whole of the sport are achieved within the budget set by the Board. Attendance by video link is also utilised.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV with a brief covering letter, stating the reasons and motivation for the application to: tara.drake@britishweightlifting.org. If you would like to discuss the role or the application, please contact the same email to arrange a call or ask a question.

This role has an initial term of 4 years in office and can be renewed for a further 4 years.

Renumeration: Expenses paid / Location: Flexible

DEADLINE: COB, 21 APRIL 2025

Candidate Briefing Document

BWL Articles of Association

BWL Stronger Together Strategy (2021 – 2025)

BWL Board of Directors & Management Team