Careers

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for an Independent Chair who together with our leadership team and board, will ensure financial viability and organisational strategy in our transition to Employee Ownership and beyond. They will act as an impartial leader, fostering collaboration and shared decision making, and ensuring the long-term success of the business while safeguarding the interests of employee owners and other stakeholders.

As the successful candidate you will be able to support us effectively during this period of meaningful change. You will believe in and be convinced by the benefits of employee ownership and have a strong desire to bring this innovative way of working to fruition. There will be a minimum of four meetings per year complementing our financial quarters which will normally be two hours long. Our preference is for board meetings to be held in-person at Arkwood’s offices in Hackney, although we are open to arranging hybrid meetings where required.

The ideal candidate will engage the board, and other stakeholders, and maximise the benefits of employee ownership. They will demonstrate strategic vision, exceptional leadership skills, and a strong commitment to Employee Ownership principles. They will support and lead the board in its work to deliver on Arkwood’s vision, mission and business plans acting as an ambassador for the organisation and its shareholders.

The Independent Chair will require vision, wisdom, excellent communications skills, tact, and sensitivity. They will have a high level of experience of previous governance. These attributes will be evidenced through:

• Proven experience as a Chair, Vice or Deputy Chair, Non-Executive Director or senior leader in a governance role

• Experience of working in or with employee-owned businesses/ models

• Experience of delivering a business strategy

• Ability to interrogate financial data and use this to inform decision making and advise the board

• Experience of working in a governance or leadership role during a period of change

• Support and champion our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

• Exceptional facilitation and communication skills to ensure inclusive and productive discussions during meetings

• Ability to build consensus while maintaining neutrality and impartiality

• Understanding of employee engagement and motivators

• Evidence of strong analytical skills to evaluate complex information, assess risks, and make informed decisions

• Ability to inspire trust and confidence among diverse stakeholders, including employees, the board, and external partners

• Capability to promote transparency and accountability in governance processes

• Ability to remain independent, objective, and impartial

• Commitment to the principles and values of employee ownership, including collaboration, inclusivity, and shared responsibility

• High integrity, professionalism, and a strong commitment to ethical practice and social justice

• Willingness to dedicate sufficient time and energy to the role, including preparation, meetings, and follow-up activities.

It is important to us that our Board of Trustees is representative of our local community and brings with them skills, experience, and talents from which we would benefit. Therefore, we particularly welcome applications from people with identities which are underrepresented in governance such as those with global majority heritages, women, and disabled people.

What we’ll offer you:

Being a part of the EOT chair committee at Arkwood, you will have the opportunity to oversee and be a part of the growth of a business and its team that strives to provide meaningful change in the realm of landscape architecture, providing improvement of green infrastructure and urban greenspace on projects that span country-wide. You’ll have the chance to make a really important contribution to a growing company and to shape our future direction as a practice.

About us:

We’re a team of award-winning landscape architects and urban designers based in the heart of Hackney, East London. We design and deliver the inspiring public places that bind communities together, celebrating the uniqueness of each space and providing real benefits for individual, families, communities and cities. Our work is innovative and ambitious and acknowledged by our peers. We work with a wide range of clients, stakeholders and fellow professionals to deliver the best possible outcomes. We target and focus on landscape-led projects.

How to apply:

To apply, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter to [email protected] outlining your suitability by 12 noon Monday 3rd March 2025.

We will also invite people who would benefit, to share a video which outlines suitability to the role as an alternative to a written cover letter.

Selection and interviews will be scheduled from 10th March 2025 onwards. Join us in shaping the future of employee ownership at Arkwood and making a difference to the lives of our employee-owners and the communities we serve.