As a mission-led organisation, Ecology Building Society exists to improve the environment and society by enabling ecological homes and sustainable communities through the flow of ethical finance between savers and borrowers. Established in 1981, Ecology has been at the forefront of the sustainability agenda, working as a champion for a greener society. It provides mortgages for properties and projects that respect the environment and support sustainable communities funded through its range of simple, transparent savings accounts.

Ecology's impact isn’t just about the profit it makes – it’s about the difference it makes to the environment and to communities across the UK. In 2021, Ecology embarked upon an ambitious new 2030 strategy demonstrating how purpose-led ecological businesses can succeed and thrive whilst being aware of the growing tide of greenwash which could spill over and tarnish the reputation of authentic green organisations. It will have an unrelenting focus on impact while providing exceptional service to its Members.

Ecology Building Society was named as Mortgage Provider of the Year at the Yorkshire Financial Awards. The judges said “Ecology Building Society is doing sterling work. Its laser focus on providing mortgages for properties and projects that have a positive impact is commendable, while its implementation of this focus impresses for its variety and innovation.”

In 2022, Ecology was recognised twice in the Mortgage Finance Gazette (MFG) awards, which celebrate innovation and achievement within the mortgage industry. These awards recognise Ecology’s role as a longstanding leading supporter of self- and custom-build in the UK. Its ecological mission means that its objective isn’t the provision of lending itself. Instead, it is interested in the positive environmental impact of its mortgages.

Ecology Building Society is looking for two passionate and committed individuals to appoint to the Board in the capacity of Non-Executive Director (NED). As a Non-Executive Director, you will be key to supporting the growth, strategic direction and impact of the Society whilst proactively guiding the Senior Leadership team through future thinking. You will have the ability to exercise independent judgement and to constructively challenge and encourage. You will also be motivated by contributing to an exciting organisation at a pivotal time and will share a commitment to the Society’s mission.

This is a Notified Non-Executive Director position. The Society’s Non-Executive Directors have a fiduciary duty to act at all times in the interests of the Society and not as a representative of any other organisation or business. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing a proactive contribution to the Board by providing independent oversight and constructive challenge to the strategic direction of the Society
• Signing off on the Corporate Plan and holding management to account in delivery against the Plan
• Providing oversight and leadership of the Society within a framework of prudent and effective controls which enable risk to be assessed and managed
• Setting and monitoring the Society’s strategic aims and ensuring that management information is robust and adequate for decision-making
• Providing a creative and informed contribution to strategy formation, and acting as a constructive critic in looking at the objectives and plans devised by the Chief Executive and the Executive team
• Maintaining these relationships with the highest levels of integrity and personal accountability, candour, appropriate challenge, rigour and the timely sharing of information and concerns; and with the willingness to work together in the best interests of the Society and its Members
• Serving on select Board Subcommittees 

As a collective group, the Society’s NEDs need to share some common attributes, though it is acknowledged that individual NEDs will bring specific expertise as well.

Ecology Building Society is seeking to add two new Non-Executive Directors to the Board. Candidates will bring one or more of the following areas of expertise: senior credit risk experience; financial accounting / auditing experience within FCA-regulated financial services; and / or experience in change management.

Those bringing credit risk expertise will ideally have gained this within FCA-regulated retail financial services, given the specific product offering of the Ecology Building Society. This could have been gained within a leadership role of a risk function, in a broad general management role where they have had oversight of credit risk or as a senior-level consulting providing this expertise to the sector.

For those bringing financial expertise, this experience will have been gained with FCA-regulated financial services but does not need to have been gained with in retail financial services specifically. While being a chartered accountant is not required, candidates should demonstrate their technical financial acumen, gained either within a senior finance role within the sector, in broader leadership which included financial oversight responsibilities, as a board-level advisor to the sector within a professional services environment, or from having served on board-level Audit Committees.

Ecology Building Society is about to embark on a wide-reaching cultural and technological transformation as it looks to reposition itself for the future. Candidates who are able to speak to relevant experience along these lines, detailing their involvement and the outcomes of these transformation initiatives, will be particularly of interest.

Culture fit and alignment to the mission and values of the organisation will be a critical factor in the Board's decision-making process. Candidates should articulate their alignment and interest in the causes which the Ecology Building Society stand for within their applications.

The Board is open to individuals for whom this would be their first NED position.

Louise Pryor, Chair

Gareth Griffiths, CEO

Andrew Gold, Deputy Chair & Senior Independent Director

Giovanni D'Alessio

Jaedon Green

Kerry Mashford

Vince Smith

This role is remunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. The expected 36 day per year time commitment includes 10 Board meetings and a strategy day along with subcommittee meetings and ad hoc engagement. The appointment is for a three-year term and subject to election by the Members, which can be renewed up to two times at the discretion of the Board.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK and must meet the standards / compliance requirements for Directors and be certified as fit and proper under the Senior Managers & Certification Regime.

Location

This organisation is based in Silsden, West Yorkshire and meetings will take place both in person and virtually. Board meetings typically take place in person while subcommittee meetings are either online or hybrid. Candidates will therefore be UK-based.