Recruiting the next Chair of the Boat Race Company Limited (BRCL)

The Boat Race is one of the major British sporting events of the year. It is steeped in history with 2021 seeing the 166th Men’s Boat Race and the 75th Women’s Boat Race but is also event which has moved with the times. Notably integrating the Women’s Boat Race so that 2021 will also be the fifth time that the male and female crews will compete on the same day over the same course.

The event holds a special place in the sporting landscape usually attracting over 250,000 spectators to the banks of the Thames between Putney and Chiswick and through its partnership with the BBC reaches many millions of people across the world. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic The Boat Race was cancelled in 2020 and the 2021 race will be held at Ely in Cambridgeshire.

Earlier this year BRCL produced a new strategic framework which recognises the importance of refreshing and strengthening its heritage brand, working sustainably and helping to build a better shared future and to use the profile of the race to inspire others. The Boat Race Company is a company limited by Shares (no. 02544376) established and owned by the Oxford and Cambridge Rowing Foundation (OCRF) who also appoint the Chair and will be leading this recruitment.

The current Chair will be stepping down after the Boat Race in 2021 having held the role since 2009. OCRF is therefore now looking for an exceptional leader to guide the future direction of BRCL and to provide leadership for the Board.

The future BRCL Chair could be drawn from the world of sport, event management, business or beyond. Whilst many of the individuals who may be attracted to this role will have a connection with Oxford or Cambridge and/or rowing, it is not a requirement, although an understanding of high-performance sport or University Sport would be helpful. As a member of the Board of the BRCL you will not be representing the views of any specific club, and along with all other Directors, will need to act in the interests of BRCL.

Purpose and requirements of the role

We are looking for someone who can:

• Provide effective leadership to the organisation so that it can deliver on the ambitions of its new strategy
• Chair the BRCL Board effectively, ensuring good governance and challenge and  getting the best out of the Board members and executive team.
• Engage with key partners, funders and stakeholders to help support the delivery of the Race.
  Ensure that BRCL operates in line with the expectation of the OCRF Trustees and that they are kept informed and up to date.
• Regularly review the performance of the Board.
• Support and drive BRCL’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Person specification:

• Strong leadership skills with a collaborative style, building consensus while able to address and resolve conflict if required.
• Demonstrate strategic vision with experience of supporting an organisation to adapt and stay relevant to a changing environment.
• Open and transparent with strong communication skills.
• Independence of thought and judgement.
• Credibility to build relationships and influence at a senior level including at the Universities, with potential sponsors and key stakeholders.
• Sound knowledge of good governance and commitment to highest standards.
• Non-executive Board experience is essential with experience of chairing an organisation desirable.
• Prior experience in the not for profit sector and of working with volunteers would be helpful.

Time and commitment:

• The Chair is expected to attend and lead each of the six formal Board meetings and one strategy session per annum, which usually take place in the evenings in central London as well as additional ad hoc board meetings/calls.
• They will also need to be able to devote time to the work of BRCL in between meetings whether engaging in meetings with partners or recruiting and supporting Board and executive members.
• Attendance at key events for the company throughout the year including the Boat Race itself is also required.
• The time commitment, including preparing for meetings, is estimated to equate to approximately 25 to 30 days per annum in total, although we are looking for someone who can be flexible in terms of time and can make a real commitment to BRCL and the role.
• In recent months all Board engagement has taken place via video-conference but it is hoped that at least some of this will revert to face to face when conditions allow.

Term:

• The appointment is for a four-year term, and up to two consecutive terms may be served.
• The role is voluntary but reasonable travel expenses will be paid.

Your application and the recruitment process:

In order to apply you should submit

• A current CV which shows your full career history – we recommend that this is no longer than two pages;
• A brief supporting statement explaining why you are interested in this role detailing how you meet the skills we are seeking (see above) – we recommend that this is no longer than two pages;
• A completed, optional Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form.

Please send your application, by email to jobs@theboatrace.org

Closing Date – 25 January 2021

Selected Candidates will then be invited to meet a number of the Trustees of OCRF.

Please do contact us if you wish to have an informal discussion about the role or if you have any other questions to help you decide whether to apply. Fiona Morrison, OCRF Chair will be happy to talk to you.

Please direct all contact through jobs@theboatrace.org