Non-Executive Director Finance job with GatenbySanderson - 13059186

Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA) is a statutory corporation with a legal obligation to provide and run a horticulture wholesale market.
CGMA owns the 47-acre site on which the New Covent Garden Market is situated, in Nine Elms, London, and is in the midst of a major redevelopment to create a vibrant new Food Quarter for London.
Operating as a commercial landlord, CGMA has a statutory duty to at least break even, taking one year with another and in its latest published accounts, had a turnover of £14.4m and a workforce of 30 staff members.The market itself is home to 164 mainly SME businesses employing 2,500 people, with a combined turnover of £888m in 2022-23.
It supplies a large proportion of the fruit and vegetables in meals served outside the home in London, from hospitals to the peak of the hospitality industry, and serves a large proportion of London's florists.Current key challenges for the organisation include successful delivery of the redevelopment project, ensuring the market tenants continue to have a voice and are integral to the vision for the new market, ensuring the market is well-managed and prepared for the future, and that the market is run efficiently and delivering value for money.The Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for the appointment of CGMA's Chair and Board and is now seeking to appoint a financially qualified non-executive director with the integrity, skills and judgment necessary to deliver strategic direction at a time of significant change.
The successful candidate will be able to command the confidence of Ministers, fellow Board members, Executive Directors, tenants and stakeholders and will be expected to contribute to corporate decisions at a senior level.Demonstrable experience with similar sized businesses is important.
Preferably this will include experience with tenant-based businesses.
The CGMA financial team is small (around 6 FTE) and the role will involve providing hands-on guidance to this team at times.
The successful candidate will provide financial oversight on behalf of the Board and will have a proven record in finance at a senior level.
They will also be expected to chair the Audit and Risk Committee.Stylistically, they will need to be transparent and open in their approach, inclusive and collaborative.
A talented mentor, they will have a natural ability to empower, support and influence, with a good balance of emotional intelligence and commercial acumen.All Board members are expected to adhere to the Nolan principles governing the conduct of public servants.The market is operational overnight and attendance at night on an occasional basis (potentially a few times a year) should be expected.This is an exciting time for the organisation, and this role will be pivotal in making sure this unique institution continues to thrive.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) wants Britain to be a great place to live.
Our work plays a critical role in the wellbeing of everyone in the country through the creation of healthy environments, a world leading food and farming industry, a thriving rural economy and enhanced protection against floods and animal and plant diseases.Appointing high-calibre people from diverse backgrounds, with relevant skills, knowledge and experience, to the boards of public bodies and statutory corporations will help ensure that the work of Defra and its partners is more effective, resilient and accountable and meets the needs of a modern and diverse Britain.We positively welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.
All public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition as regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.DocumentsPublic_Appointments_Guidance_Notes.pdfRecruitment TimetableClosing Date:
12 noon Thursday 30 January 2025Final Panel Interviews:
w/c 31 March 2025How to ApplyThe recruitment process is being supported by GatenbySanderson on behalf of Defra and the Authority.
To apply for this post please submit the following information no later than 12 noon on Thursday 30 January 2025.a CV of no more than two sides of A4;a supporting statement of not more than 1000 words (approximately two sides of A4), setting out how you meet the essential criteria - make sure you refer to the contents of this document and provide specific examples;e-mail addresses for two referees;a completed diversity, conflicts of interest, conduct and political activity monitoring form which will form part of the online application process (please note section on Conflicts of interest and due diligence below).For a confidential discussion about the role to help you determine your suitability for application and/or to answer any questions you might have, please contact one of our recruitment advisors at GatenbySanderson:
Zoe Bennett:
***Julie Myers:
***Tracy Wicik:
***If you have any questions about the appointments process, you need a change to be made so that you can make your application or require additional assistance to support you in your application, please email GatenbySanderson at the email addresses above.Alternatively, please contact the Defra Public Appointments Team on:
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