RYA seeks new Chair to helm the national governing body

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is seeking a Chair to manage and provide leadership to the Board. The membership organisation is looking for applications from experienced individuals with a proven track record of successful chairing within a multi-faceted organisation and with the personal gravitas to lead the Board amidst a changing sporting landscape.

The Chair of the RYA is a high profile position within both the boating and the sporting world. Despite being a volunteer position it requires a significant time commitment, estimated at the equivalent of approximately 50 days per year.

About the role
The RYA is the national governing body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, personal watercraft, inland cruising and narrowboats and has an annual income of over £22 million. It employs over 170 staff in a wide range of roles, from boating specialists to professional staff to coordinators and administrators.

The purpose of the Chair of the RYA is to:
• Ensure effective decisions are made by the Board
• Represent the RYA both externally and internally
• Support the senior volunteers and executive directors
• Act as the arbiter of questions on the governance of the RYA and of the interpretation and application of the Regulations

The Chair of the RYA is accountable to the Board and to the Members and is authorised to represent all of the Association’s views and policies to external bodies and stakeholders without the need for prior clearance.

Role eligibility
The Chair must be legally eligible to serve as a company Director in England and Wales and be, or become, a personal member of the RYA. Due to the responsibilities and profile of the role, careful management of perceived or actual conflicts of interest is of paramount importance. Candidates must declare any interests and these will be taken into account in the recruitment process.

The role of the RYA Board is to supervise the management of the Association’s business and to discharge the responsibilities of the directors under the Companies Act, in compliance with the Code for Sports Governance, which sets out the levels of transparency, accountability and financial integrity that are required from bodies receiving Government and National Lottery Funding.

Senior Independent Director on the Board, John Scott, is currently serving as an interim Chair until the permanent appointment is made.
RYA Finance Director, Dave Strain, said: “The Chair plays a vital leadership role in setting strategy and overseeing the governance of the organisation. As the demands on the Association have grown, and will continue to do so in the future, this appointment provides an opportunity for an outstanding individual to play a central role in supporting the sport of boating.

“Applicants should possess tact, diplomacy and excellent powers of communication and persuasion; professional skills and experience within the Legal, Commercial or Government sectors are also highly desirable.”

How to apply
The RYA actively promotes diversity in its workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. If you would like to join the Board and feel you have the relevant skills and experience, please email a covering letter, Curriculum Vitae, Applicant Monitoring Form as well as details of two professional references to chair18@RYA.org.uk

Applications must reach the RYA by Thursday, 31 May 2018 and interviews will be held in London on Monday, 25 June 2018.