Chair - Job Description

A bit about us….

For over 30 years our mission has been to make the UK and Europe a richer place to explore, by seeking out and celebrating special places to stay and the fiercely independent, quirky and downright lovely people who run them. We aim to be leaders in sustainability and ethical travel and believe business should be a force for good; that tourism can be done better and that it has a positive role to play in society and in protecting the environment.

We have four brands under the Sawday’s umbrella. The first is the original Sawday’s, specialising in self-catering places, hotels, B&Bs and pubs with rooms. The second is Canopy & Stars, a collection of cabin, treehouses, shepherd’s huts and other unusual spaces. The third is Paws & Stay, featuring cottages and cabins with a dog-friendly focus.  Finally, Crown & Canopy is the leading glamping consultancy that supports people in the development, planning and execution of glamping places, such as treehouses and cabins.

The group is 52% employee-owned, with the rest made up of a Charitable Trust and the founding family. We’re proud to be B Corp certified and recognised by them as part of the top 5% of companies to work for in the world.

The Role

Sawday’s are seeking someone for the combined role of non-executive Chair and member of the Board of Trustees of the Employee Ownership Trust.

Skills & Experience

  • Strong business experience, ideally in a B2C and SME context with evidence of entrepreneurial flair and commercial acumen
  • Experience in growing small, consumer focused businesses in fast-changing markets
  • Experience of brand-led businesses
  • Strategic thinker, backed up with experience at Board level
  • A clear communicator that brings vision, motivation and positive energy
  • Understanding of varied and complex business scenarios and models
  • Evidence of being a values-driven person who believes in ethical business
  • Understanding and interest in employee ownership
  • Appreciation of purpose led companies
  • Experience of leadership in organisations whose success is dependent on technology, systems and/or e-commerce
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, bringing strong leadership to The Board
  • Emotional intelligence to support, constructively challenge and advise the company
  • An ability both to challenge sacred cows and honour / respect the heritage of the business
  • The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication skills, have a warm, empathetic, open-minded and approachable style, and have the ability to listen and work as part of a team
  • Ideally, experience of chairing an organisation

The Responsibilities

  • Responsible for leading The Board and helping to determine our strategic direction
  • Ensuring the company complies with all applicable laws, regulations and appropriate governance standards
  • Challenging, motivating and supporting the directors and leadership team to ensure the development and improvement of the company
  • Providing advice and support to the Managing Director to help drive business performance and deliver the strategy
  • Maintaining the values and culture of Sawday’s and the principles of employee ownership
  • Ensuring we meet obligations of our shareholders, trustees, co-owners and stakeholders
  • Assess the company’s risks, including financial, operational, legal, and reputational. Provide input on risk mitigation strategies.
  • Consider whether the Directors have the correct resources necessary to enable the strategy to be delivered
  • Attending and chairing bi-monthly Board meetings (a mix of in-person and online meetings) and strategy days
  • Trustee of the Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), which owns 52% of the company on behalf of the co-owners/employees. You will be the connection between The Board and the EOT. The Trustees usually meet twice a year.

Time & Remuneration

The role requires a commitment of two days a month, but with the ability to be flexible and readily available to the Managing Director and Leadership Team.

Remuneration is £20,000 per annum.

Applications & closing date

Candidates should apply for this by emailing toby@tobysawday.com with a CV and cover letter. The closing date for applications is noon on Wednesday 24th July 2024.

Finally

We place an unusual emphasis on ethics, people and the environment and it is important to us that the you understand, strongly identify with, and you are able to develop the company ethos.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and an inclusive company, where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are valued and where everyone can bring their full, authentic selves to work. We are Disability Confident employer level 2.

If you need any further assistance with your application, or require the application form in a different format, please contact Charlotte Bennett on 0117 204 7828 or charlotte.bennett@sawdays.co.uk