Bield is one of the largest providers of housing and support services for older people in Scotland, with just over 5,400 properties and a range of services for its customers. Bield is a not-for-profit organisation, Scottish charity and also a Registered Social Landlord. Its promise is 'Free to be' - summing up the firm belief that older people should have the freedom to make their own choices and be free to live as independently as possible.

For over 50 years, Bield has worked to build a Scotland where people of all ages are respected, can make their own choices, and are able to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Its housing is designed to suit varying needs of an older population, with a mission to improve the quality of life of older people by offering a diverse range of housing, home care, employment opportunities, and other services.  

Bield has grown from humble beginnings, starting out with one housing development in Bo’ness to now providing a wide range of housing and services for around 15,000 people across 23 local authority areas. In the last two years, the charity has onboarded an entirely new executive team. Following these appointments, the Board is driving an ambitious growth strategy over the next five to ten years. The charity is therefore seeking expertise of new Board Members who will bring a range of skills to support this expansion journey.

The new Board Members will be joining the Board as Bield looks to implement its ambitious growth strategy. The main responsibilities of Board Members include:

• Oversight and objective review of strategic direction, operations and financial performance
• Support and advice to help the charity achieve its purpose and vision and live its values
• Contribution and insight from the Trustee's professional perspective and experience to enable the Board as a whole to engage in an informed way
• Support for the executive, when needed, to help drive delivery and improvement
• Contribution to the work of relevant Board committees (People and Staff Governance Committee, Audit and Risk Committee, short-life working groups)
• Act as ambassadors of the organisation

All Board Members play a crucial role on the Board, helping to ensure that Bield achieves its mission and delivers on its strategic objectives. 

Bield is looking for up to three new Board Members, and is interested in hearing from those with a finance, legal or digital transformation background, or those who bring multifaceted commercial experience which touches on any of these functions. Candidates will also bring an understanding of the Scottish landscape and how this differs from the rest of the UK, including in a political and policy context.

Technology / digital & innovation: Applicants will have senior-level strategic digital expertise, from either a technical or digital transformation perspective, such as Chief Information Officer for a medium / large organisation. They will be able to advise Bield as it undergoes digital transformation to improve efficiency, functionality and widen reach and accessibility.

Finance: Applicants will be financially-qualified and able to guide the charity as it reviews and modernises its business model, creating a transparent mechanism to review its income and expenditure to realise strategic goals. Applicants will have experience in business management, be financially literate and use their professional background to guide the charity as it continues to grow. There would be a preference for those who are certified accountants.

Legal: Applicants will be certified in Scottish law and bring high-level legal experience. They will be able to provide advice on legal matters and will use their expertise to act as a sounding board to the rest of the Board.

The successful candidates will be able to work at a strategic level whilst understanding the detail and complexities of delivery and appreciating the difference between a non-executive and executive role. Although prior non-executive experience is welcome, applications are welcome from individuals who have not held such roles before.

Professor Lesley Holdsworth, Chair
Isabel McGarvie, Vice Chair
Robert Fernie, Vice Chair
William Smalley
Graeme Russell
Carole Lamond
Patricia Dawson
Margaret Moore
David Fisher
Derek Breingan

You can read more about the Board here.

This role is unremunerated but pre-agreed, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. There are eight Board meetings per year, with 40% of Board business conducted in person one of Bield's offices in Edinburgh or Glasgow, and the remainder conducted virtually. In addition, Board Members will be expected to attend four Sub-committee meetings and ad hoc engagement where required. 

The total time commitment is equal to c. 18 days per year. 

As some Board meetings are held in person in Scotland, candidates will either be local to Scotland or able to travel. Individuals will have the ability to travel to one of Bield's offices in Edinburgh or Glasgow and engage in occasional visits to its development sites. 

Bield welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.