The ScaleUp Institute’s (SUI's) ambition is that the UK becomes the most fertile ground for businesses not only to start up, but to scale up and grow. If the UK is to capitalise on its long history as a trading nation and the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit which has seen an explosion in vitality over recent years, it now needs to focus determinedly on how it 'leans in' to support its growing firms to scale.

Scaleups contribute more than £1.2tr to the UK economy. This represents 50% of the UK SME economy, reinforcing the crucial role this group of companies play in driving forward future UK growth and global success. Increasing the number of firms reaching scale has the potential to deliver hundreds and thousands of additional jobs and billions of pounds to the local economy, and drive forward productivity in every community. Evidence shows these businesses are also highly productive and international.

The UK's future economic prosperity and social well-being are critically dependent upon it being a world-leading environment in which companies thrive after they have been started, enabling opportunity for reach and scale and contributing positive impact for generations to come. The SUI believes that making the UK a fertile ground for developing such businesses across localities, industries and supply chains is fundamental to achieving both immediate and long-term UK economic value.

Closing the 'scaleup gap' has the potential to deliver:

• Up to 150,000 additional jobs by 2034, across every region of the UK
• As much as £225bn (net) towards UK GDP, from 2015 to 2034
• Increased productivity in all sectors of the economy

The ScaleUp Institute aims to advance understanding of how to scale up a business, and how to build the most effective environment in which scaleups can flourish. Since its inception, the SUI has championed the scaleup economy; its network is at the heart of its support. Through a wide variety of activities, including an economic development programme, policy committees and a research and education agenda, the ScaleUp Institute enables cross sections of private and public sector, local, national and international ecosystems to work and learn from each other, thereby developing and assessing initiatives to close the scaleup gap and providing solutions to the leaders of scaling businesses. The organisation also undertakes targeted projects with partners and spreads best practice, providing opportunities for scaleup companies across industry sectors and regions to meet and share ideas.

The ScaleUp Institute:

• Acts as a catalyst, bringing together national, local, private and public sector players to map and develop international, national and local ecosystems for scaleups
• Undertakes detailed analysis of the scaleup landscape across the UK, providing detailed evidence of how scaleups are developing at a national and local level
• Supports the development of local scaleup ecosystems through training programmes and engagement with local authorities, regions and ecosystem organisations up and down the UK, including business schools and universities
• Publishes reports which set the agenda for current thinking on growth and productivity across government and the business community
• Develops policy proposals based upon rigorous evidence to evolve the business landscape so that the UK can become the best place to grow a business
• Convenes experts from across the business community and academia, policy-makers and decision-makers to kick-start new thinking and deliver concrete improvements for fast-growing firms

Further information, including the SUI's 2021 annual review, can be found here.

The ScaleUp Institute has a three-year Non Executive Chair term, and is looking to appoint a successor to the current Non Executive Chair whose term is now coming to an end.

The new Chair will provide leadership and direction to the Board and executive team, enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the Institute.

Specific responsibilities will be to:

• Lead the Board in meeting the vision and aims of the Institute, while ensuring that appropriate strategies, plans, funds and governance arrangements are in place
• Ensure that the Board and its Committees have an appropriate mix of experience and expertise to enable it to discharge its legal and governance responsibilities
• Provide support and guidance to the executive team
• Ensure that the management of the Institute and its procedures are effective and appropriate in order to safeguard sound financial performance, and manage risk and compliance with relevant legal and stakeholder requirements
• Ensure that the Board’s decisions are implemented in an effective and timely manner
• Ensure that the organisation upholds the highest standards of integrity and probity, and aspires to the highest standards in all its dealings
• Represent and promote the Institute at selected events
• Challenge and engage in the quest for bettering data to underpin the Institute's agenda

The new Non-Executive Chair will already have a significant track record of achievement and will be a natural networker, comfortable communicating to all. The ScaleUp Institute is seeking an impressive ambassador. It is imperative that the candidate has the gravitas and standing in the broad business community to maintain the high reputational standards of the ScaleUp Institute.

The successful candidate will have a passion for UK scale-up business and will be one of the following:

• A successful, serial entrepreneur with a strong track record of scaling UK business(es) (t/o c. £50m+)
• A leading investor with a proven track record of leading investments in scaleup / growth capital businesses in the UK
• A renowned business / public leader who is nationally recognised in their sector

Ideally, applicants will also have a strong understanding of regional and innovative businesses across the UK, as well as have had exposure to international markets and have a track record in non-executive roles.

Time commitment

This role is unremunerated, but there is a £10,000-12,000 annual budget for the office of Chair. In addition to the four Board meetings per year, there is a strategy day as well as relevant ambassadorial events/dinners . An annual Scaleup Review happens in November and a ScaleUp Week usually happens in May or September. The appointment is for a three year term.

Process

The organisation will view the applications without edits. We therefore advise applicants to avoid using ‘see CV’ or ‘please call me to discuss further’ in your application as it may restrict your chances of progressing to the next round.

Connected parties

This organisation has requested that candidates do not contact them directly. Instead, if you know someone at the organisation, please mention it in your Reason for Application. Members who do not respect this may risk having their membership terminated.

UK - London