The Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) is a not-for-profit membership organisation with over 135,000 members and an annual turnover of £7m. It provides sport and leisure opportunities for public servants throughout the UK, ranging from club-level sports to theatre trips and activity taster sessions, to family fun days. Its mission is to provide great value sports and leisure experiences as well as a range of health and wellbeing benefits for public service employees, including civil servants, teachers, members of the Armed Forces and front-line healthcare workers and their families.  

CSSC has set up health and fitness centres in government buildings and owns sports grounds and fishing and sailing waters. CSSC activities are run by a team of around 60 Head office staff, and around 1000 highly motivated volunteers, all of whom are current members, passionate about the organisation. Income from membership fees is paid back out in grants to area associations across the UK, which then decide how money is spent on funding activities for the benefit of members. CSSC's model is designed to foster a sense of community and shared interests amongst its members.

CSSC has two main trading subsidiaries (CSSC Properties and the Sports & Leisure Group) and receives a small grant from the Cabinet Office. However, it largely relies on membership fees to fund its services, and as such the recruitment and retention of members is central to its continuing success. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll, but with a membership base which had consistently grown by 50% for the six years prior to 2020, and a vibrant, positive community of staff and volunteers, CSSC continues to operate at strength.

Following the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, Matt Bazeley OBE, the organisation is undergoing a strategic review ensuring that its focus and vision is fit for the future. This is an exciting time to join the Board as it addresses the reshaping of the organisation to meet the digital and technological opportunities presented.

The Honorary Treasurer will have oversight of CSSC's finances, taking a lead role in helping to shape the organisation's financial strategy, and acting as a critical friend to the management, particularly the Group Financial Controller, who has the day-to-day executive responsibility for financial oversight within CSSC. They will also be one of the four Vice Chairs appointed to the Board.

The Honorary Treasurer will monitor the group's financial performance and budget process and will additionally be responsible for the financial oversight of CSSC's commercial subsidiaries, including CSSC Properties (CSSCP) and the Sports & Leisure Group (SLG). They will chair the group's Investment Committee, with oversight of the Investment Fund, managed by an international investment Bank. They will also chair the annual Audit and Risk Management Committee attended by the auditors and the CSSC Group’s Directors. Finally, the Honorary Treasurer will attend meetings of the staff Pension Trustees and will present the accounts at the AGM.

As a Vice Chair of CSSC's Board, the successful candidate will contribute to the organisation's strategic direction, helping determine its vision, mission, and broader goals.

CSSC is looking to appoint a Vice Chair and Honorary Treasurer who will bring financial or investment expertise as well as empathy and enthusiasm for its mission. Candidates should be aware that most meetings are held during the working week and should satisfy themselves that they can accommodate this.

As CSSC envisages the Honorary Treasurer advising on strategic financial matters such as income stream diversification and oversight of investment fund management (totalling c. £13m), it is desirable that this individual brings financial leadership experience from within the commercial sector. This may have been gained in a leadership role with the finance function of an organisation, perhaps as an accountant, or in investment management.

Above all, candidates will have enthusiasm and empathy for the mission of CSSC, and its overall goals of helping inspire its members to improve their health and wellbeing.

The time commitment for the Vice Chair and Honorary Treasurer role is around eight meetings per year, for a four-year term, including correspondence as well as an Annual Conference and AGM. Meetings will be a mix of in-person and virtual. In total, the overall commitment will be 10-15 days per year. Candidates should be aware that most meetings are held during the working week and should satisfy themselves that they can accommodate this.

Whilst this is a volunteer post for which there is no remuneration, this is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of CSSC and influence a high-profile organisation. Travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed.

The appointment is made by the Board on the recommendation of the Appointments Committee. Interviews will be held with the CEO and members of the Appointments Committee. The successful candidate will be required to be, or to become, a member of CSSC.