Chair

Scottish Bakers is a long-established and respected membership organisation representing and supporting the baking sector across Scotland. With deep roots in the industry, we provide a strong collective voice for our members, championing the sector while supporting businesses through knowledge sharing, industry insight, networking and practical support.

Alongside our core membership activities, Scottish Bakers delivers workforce development, training and skills support through National Food & Drink Training (NFDT). NFDT has an increasingly important role in supporting future skills and industry capability across both the bakery sector and the wider food and drink industry, while contributing to the long-term sustainability and growth of the organisation.

Scottish Bakers also represents the interests of the sector with key stakeholders, including Scottish Government and Defra, helping ensure the voice and priorities of Scotland’s bakery businesses are understood and represented.

Scottish Bakers is entering an important next phase in its development and, as part of the continued evolution of our governance arrangements, we are now seeking to appoint a Chair of the Board.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping the future strategic direction of Scottish Bakers and NFDT, working closely with the Board, President and CEO to ensure the organisation remains relevant, effective and sustainable while continuing to respond to the evolving needs of its members and the wider food and drink sector.

The Chair will provide leadership to the Board, ensuring strong governance, effective decision-making and appropriate oversight of organisational performance, risk and financial sustainability. An early priority will be supporting a review of the current Board model and skills mix to ensure Scottish Bakers has the right combination of experience, capability and representation for the future.

Our new Chair will help move us forward by:

• Leading the Board and ensuring its effective operation, creating an environment of constructive, inclusive and balanced discussion.
• Ensuring robust governance, accountability and decision-making arrangements are in place across the organisation.
• Working closely with the CEO, providing appropriate support and challenge in the development and delivery of strategy.
• Leading the next phase of governance development, including reviewing Board composition, skills and succession planning.
• Ensuring the Board maintains appropriate oversight of risk, financial sustainability, organisational performance, workforce development and commercial and training activities.
• Working closely with the President on external representation for Scottish Bakers and NFDT, supporting effective engagement with members, partners and other key stakeholders.
• Ensuring that member priorities and developments across the bakery and wider food and drink sector continue to inform the work of the Board.

We are looking for an experienced senior leader who can provide effective Board leadership and bring the strategic perspective, judgement and collaborative approach required to support Scottish Bakers through its next phase of development.

Specifically, the successful candidate will bring:

• Proven leadership experience at senior executive and/or Board level, with a strong understanding of governance and Board effectiveness.
• The ability to chair effectively, encourage constructive discussion and build consensus across a range of perspectives.
• The confidence and judgement to provide appropriate support and challenge to the CEO and wider leadership team.
• Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills, with an appreciation of the importance of member representation within a membership organisation.
• Experience of governance transition, organisational change or supporting an organisation through a period of development and evolution.
• Ideally, experience within food and drink, manufacturing, training, education or membership organisations.
• An understanding of workforce development, apprenticeships or commercial training would be advantageous, alongside knowledge of the Scottish business and food and drink landscape.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, high standards of integrity and a genuine commitment to the purpose of Scottish Bakers and the businesses and people it represents.

The appointment is for an initial three-year term, with the possibility of reappointment for a further term.

The anticipated time commitment is approximately 15 days per year, covering Board and committee meetings, preparation, regular engagement with the CEO and appropriate stakeholder and external representation.

Scottish Bakers welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and values diversity of perspective, skills and experience.

Applications are welcomed both from within the Scottish Bakers Board and membership and from external candidates who can bring the leadership and experience required for the organisation’s next phase of development.